# 16588 - Remington 572
5/10/2025
steven Puyallup Wa. USA

On left side of barrel ahead of receiver is has J W R I would like to know the date of manufacture.

Answer:
Steven , the Remington slide action model 572A Fieldmaster was introduced in 1955, it was a modernized version of the Model 121. The 572A had a slab- side receiver that was shorter and deeper than the Model 121 with a small ejection port on the front right side and a safety bolt that ran laterally through the rear web of the trigger guard. The Model 572A featured a tubular magazine that held twenty .22 Short, seventeen .22 Long, or fifteen .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridges. The rifle could fire any of these cartridge lengths interchangeably and could be single-loaded through the side ejection port. Sights were step adjustable rear with a bead front, and the receiver was grooved for tip-off scope mounts. The plain straight-comb buttstock had a pistol grip, and the slide handle was finely grooved. Standard rifles had 23in barrels and weighed 5.51b.

In 1958 Remington experimented non-traditional, colored metal surfaces on three special, lightweight versions of the Model 572. The reduced weight of these guns was due to the use of anodized and specially colored aluminum receiver, trigger guard, buttplate, and jacket for a steel barrel liner. These rifles all had checkered, light-colored, ``Sun-Grain`` walnut stocks and were produced in three metal-color versions: Model 572 CWB Crow Wing Black (1958-1962); Model 572 BT Buckskin Tan (1958-1962); and Model 572 TWB Teal Wing Blue (1959-1960). In 1966 Remington introduced the Model 572 BDL ``DeLuxe`` rifle, the BDL featured a blade ramp front sight, a barrel-mounted rear sight which was adjustable for elevation and windage. The BDL had new checkering patterns on pistol grip and forend, and a mar- resistant stock finish.

Remington made use of a two or three letter Firearms Identification Code that can be located on the left side of the barrel, just ahead of the frame. The first letter of the code identifies the month, the other letter(s) identify the year. The codes for the month of manufacture were ``BLACKPOWDERX``. The letters that you sent ``JWR`` do not fall into this pattern so they are probably not the date code. Marc

# 16585 - Israeli Marked Webley Mk IV In 38
5/1/2025
Dave Windsor Canada

Star of David with something like a U inside it. I recd this firearm for doing a favor. I know nothing about it. When it was made who it was sold to Israel. What is the background on this run based on the serial . Basically anything and everything about my new toy.

Answer:
Dave- The British Army clung onto revolvers longer than any other major army, not adopting an automatic pistol, until the late 1940`s. They used the break top Webley pistol in 455 caliber through the World War I. After that war they decided to move to 38 caliber, and adopted the Smith Wesson 38 cartridge, firing a 200 grain slug.

After WWII The state of Israel purchased Webley Mark IV pistols for use by government agencies. Some of these revolvers were issued to the Israeli police after Israel`s independence in 1948. Israel pistols often feature unique markings, such as the Star of David and Hebrew characters. Marc

# 16786 - Muzzleloader Purportedly Brought To Canada From The USA In 1850
5/1/2025
Ken Indian Head Saskatchewan Canada

Letts Bess 771 or 774 I am trying to determine exactly what I have. Im director of our local museum researching this item. We were told it was brought to Canada from the USA in 1850. I have lots of pictures.

Answer:
Ken- By separate correspondence and review of numerous photos, we determined that this gun is not an antique made prior to 1850, but a 20th century amateur creation of no particular value or interest. It is good to remember that owner`s (or donor`s) stories may be sincere and based on old family oral history lore. But, they can also be totally erroneous and filled with contradictory bits of information and facts conflated from different events. The bearers of such tales may or may not welcome corrections.

John Spangler