# 13767 - US Revolver Info
3/9/2010
Bob, Zellwood, Fl

This gun has US revolver Co. on the top of the barrel, has US circled on the grip, and the # 68396 on the trigger guard. This has a 3'' barrel, five round revolver, w/a top break This is an old gun and all the numbers or markings can't be read. It looks like the S & W DA, 3rd Model, but the markings aren't the same. Can you tell us what make of gun is. It's been passed down for years. Sure would appreciate any help you could give us.

Answer:
Bob, sorry that I can't tell you that you have a real treasure. Arms made under the U.S. Revolver Co. name were cheaper versions of the Iver Johnson line. U.S. Revolver Co. paralleled the solid frame Iver Johnson Model 1900 and the Hinged Frame Safety Automatic models, but did not have the safety hammer feature, they also had some consequent minor changes in the lockwork and a lesser quality of finish. U.S. revolvers were offered in .22, .32 and .38 calibers, and were sold at the same time as the main Iver Johnson line until the 1940s. The revolvers were marked 'U.S. Revolver Co.' on the barrel, and had 'US' molded into the grips. There is not much collector interest in this kind of revolver, values are in the $75 range if you can find a buyer. Marc

# 13684 - Replica “Lincoln Deringer”
3/9/2010
Frederick, Matthews, NC

Where can I purchase an EXACT replica/reproduction of the Derringer JW Booth used to assassinate President Lincoln in 1865 ? Not a near copy, or similar-to copy - but an exact replica/reproduction ?

Answer:
Frederick- Henry Deringer is well known for his compact single shot pocket pistols, and his name (with an extra “r” added) became the generic term for all single shot (and some multi-shot) pocket pistols. Actually Deringer made variations of his basic design with barrels from 1 ½ inches long to 6 inches long, and in varying calibers, although .41 caliber seems to have been most popular.

Numerous replicas of Deringer’s pistols have been made over the years, including some extremely accurate copies which have been sold as originals to unsuspecting buyers, and others simply as pure replicas. Many of the replicas are poor quality, and just do not look “right” to anyone familiar with what an original looks like. Of course, the “Lincoln” type which was used by John Wilkes Booth to murder President Lincoln on April 14, 1865 is the most popular version to copy.

Some good info on the actual Lincoln Deringer is at http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/backissu/jan2001/schehl.htm but if you want to buy a replica, finding a good one will be hard. Most on the market are from Dixie, and even with low expectations, they are not very satisfying. Finding a good copy is possible, but may take a bit of work as the best seem to have been offered a number of years ago by one of the outfits that specializes in commemorative type arms, but I do not recall exactly who. You might keep checking the auction sites to see what turns up on them. John Spangler

# 13679 - M1841 Mississippi Rifle Markings
3/6/2010
Jim, Henderson, NV

On barrel top opposite nipple: U.S. JPC P Stock cartouche opposite lock plate: “WAT” (Script initials in oval ) Rectangular cartouche to left of oval cartouche: stamping in rectangle is illegible Top of butt plate: U.S. (reads with rifle horizontal) Underneath U.S.: 8C I (reads with rifle vertical) What is the meaning of ''P'' under JPC? What is the rectangular cartouche? Is the 8c over I a unit designation.

Answer:
Jim- By the 1840s the inspection and marking practices on U.S. small arms were pretty well established and adhered to. There were some differences between arms made at the National Armories at Springfield and Harpers Ferry and those made by the various contractors. At the National Armories inspection was an on-going process with full time inspectors doing what we would consider to be quality control work today, and the superintendent (a military officer) was responsible for the quality of arms produced. Thus the Springfield or Harpers Ferry arms will have subinspector markings on various small parts and a final acceptance stamp, usually on the left flat of the stock.

Manufacture of contract arms was done with the inspection being done on an intermittent basis with inspectors assigned to visit and inspect arms (or some components) presented by the contractor. Contracts called for barrels to be proof tested in rough and finished form, and after successfully passing the latter test, the inspector would apply the “P” indicating it passed proof, along with their initials, so they could be held responsible if the work was later found to be inferior. At the National Armories, similar proof firing was done, with the marks “V” for a visual inspection (basically gauging the dimensions and looking for visual flaws) and “P” for the proof firing test, and an eagle head in lieu of inspector initials. In the case of your rifle, James P. Chapman was the inspector.

Unit markings in the Civil War and earlier period are not easily interpreted. By the 1870s the pattern was adopted for markings where the Regimental number would be on top, then the Company (or troop or battery, depending on branch of service), followed by a number for an individual within that company. Along with the lack of standardization, the multiplicity of unit numbers from various states (as well as regular army units) makes it nearly impossible to be sure of what the actual meaning of any given combination might be.

In any case, a Mississippi rifle is probably the most handsome of all regulation U..S. military arms, and an important weapon of the Civil War. John Spangler

# 13741 - Broomhandle With No Lanyard
3/6/2010
Don, Yorba Linda, CA

WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER OBERNDORF A. NECKAR Double crown over a ''U'' The number ''8'' under the barrel Small ring hammer Early safety - 2nd type Tangent sight missing 900 meter mark No barrel ''step'' There is NO lanyard loop or attach point. I have not been able to find any example of this. I see no sign that the lug / attach point was filed or machined off. Is this common? What possible model? Maybe a ''fliers'' or aircrew issue? Thank you!

Answer:
Don, I came across a Red 9 for a good price in Reno a few months ago. I ended up turning it down because it did not have a Lanyard loop, or attachment point just like the pistol you are asking about. I do not think that it would be hard for a talented gunsmith to remove the mounting point and leave no trace that it was ever there. I think that is what happened in both instances. Marc

# 13748 - G98 Unit Markings And Value.
3/2/2010
Greg, Spokane, Wa. USA

Unit disk on stock W.D.727, Brand on right side of stock ahead of receiver P.L.D., Deutsche Waffen Und Munitionsfabriken 1906 on receiver, K.W.D. 732 on muzzle cap The rifle was used by my great uncle in WW1, but he died and I never got any history about his unit. What unit was W.D.727? When was the rifle manufactured? And how much should I insure it for since I consider it a family heirloom? Thanks for any help you can give me.

Answer:
Greg, your rifle was manufactured in 1906. Value will depend on many things but condition and whether all of the part numbers match are two of the most important factors. You did not provide enough information for me to be able to set a value but I can tell you what the markings stand for. ``W.D.727`` stands for Werft zu Danzig Waffe Nr. 727. I was not able to find anything on the ``K.W.D. 732`` marking but the added K at the beginning may stand for Sachsisches Karabiner Regiment, Saxon Mounted Rifle Regiment or Cuirassier Regiment. Marc.

# 13666 - Rifle With Wooden Barrel Section
3/2/2010
Len Duquesne Pa.

I Have a kynoch rifle that has the original stock bolt and receiver, also a ram rod but from the receiver there is a wooden dowel then about six inches of the original barrel end with the sight. There is a number 27 stamped in the top rear of the stock. Would this have been a training rifle, or was it just adulterated? Thank You.

Answer:
Len- I do not know anything about your specific rifle. However, it has been common practice for more than 100 years to make dummy or drill rifles using parts of real guns. Francis Bannerman took some of the debris from his vast accumulation of surplus Civil War era arms and assembled what collectors call “Quaker guns” with wooden barrels but having a cast iron breech section and a piece of real barrel muzzle section so that the “cadets” could fire percussion caps or attach a bayonet when desired. (And, of course, Bannerman had stacks of bayonets to sell too! The use of wood for the barrel kept the weight very light so these could be used by even very young children.

There are numerous copies of the M1903 Springfields made by several makers as school or cadet guns, or toys, and even some that were used by the U.S. Navy to free up real rifles for combat use. We have also seen Trapdoor rifles with wooden barrels and some original parts and others that were entirely made as toys or drill rifles.

After WW2 there were toy guns on the market made out of M1 carbine stocks with wooden barrels and actions. Of course nowadays some busybody neighbor might turn you in to Child Protective Services for even thinking about letting a little kid play with a toy gun. But the same neighbor will insist you send them for indoctrination at the Government Skools, and sees nothing wrong with letting them watch hours of violence filled crap on television or listen to “gangsta rap.” John Spangler