# 13521 - Danzig Pistols
11/17/2009
Dan

Danzig & 50 are markings on top of the barrel I am trying to find additional information on a pair of Dueling Pistols by ''Danzig'' - I have been unable to find anything online under that name.

Answer:
Dan- Danzig was home of a Prussian military arsenal, and probably numerous private gun makers as well. These may be military pistols that someone has put in a case together or they may be true dueling pistols, but I suspect the former. A thorough review of some good photos by someone who knows more than I do about that sort of thing may provide better answers. John Spangler

# 13700 - Fegyvergyar Holster And Magazine Source
11/17/2009
Michael

Hungarian Crest on the left front side of the trigger guard. I am looking for a clip for this gun. Do you have any suggestions where I might obtain one. Also am interested in obtaining a holster for it.

Answer:
Michael, we do not have any at the moment, but we get holsters and magazines for these from time to time. Keep an eye on our catalogs and you may find what you are looking for. You can also check with Gun Parts Corp (the old Numrich Arms people) at the following URL:

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/

If that doesn't work, try posting it on our free "Wanted" page at the following URL:

http://oldguns.net/submitwn.htm

Good Luck - Marc

# 13505 - Jesse James' Rifle
11/14/2009
Leoma,Tn.

Manufactured by Winchester Repeating Arms Co,. New Haven , Conn. U.S.A. Barrel 44WCF Model 1892 Pat.1884 Oct.14 , Behind forearm and in front of the lever L65093 This gun has been said to belong to Jessie James . It was traded to a blacksmith for a horse in Lawrence Co. Tn., and has been in the family until now. Please clarify and appraise the gun. It is in fare condition with reasonable wear, no rust , never refinished. Still shoots great!

Answer:
Leoma- The James brothers evidently had many wagon loads of guns at various times, judging by the number which can be found in collections.

I am not qualified to authenticate or appraise a gun like this. (Mainly because I think that none of them actually have the claimed connection, and are therefore worthless, and I would never want to be involved in the purchase or sale of one.) Leaving out any alleged historical connection, this sounds like guns I see at shows priced about $600-900.

I STRONGLY recommend that people interested in firearms with alleged connections to famous individuals read an excellent article by Jim Supica. Jim is formerly a highly respected firearms dealer, and is now the head of the NRA's National Firearms Museum. Read this great piece from his speech to he Ohio Gun Collectors Association at http://armscollectors.com/provenance_supica.htm and become educated on this topic.

Two sharp eyed guests have pointed out one minor clue that we overlooked. Jesse James was killed by Bob Ford on April 3, 1882. That was several years before John M. Browning invented the basic design that Winchester eventually sold as the Model 1892, so it is highly unlikely that Jesse James had the chance to own this one. John Spangler

# 13695 - Need Buttstock
11/14/2009
Larry, Elyria, Ohio, USA

stamped on barrel is ''TRAPPERS SPECIAL 22 CAL S.L.& L.R.- MADE IN USA'' I inherited this single shot bolt action 22 from my Grandfather. I know it's not a valuable gun but it means a lot to me. I believe it was probably purchased somewhere between 1890 and 1920 but can't be certain. The stock is all broken up and held together with glue and string. I want to replace the stock with one that looks exactly like the original. I am not so worried about authenticity or resale value, I will never part with this gun, but I want it to look good. Any help with a manufacturer or outlet where I might find a replacement stock for it?

Answer:
Larry, glad to hear that you are holding onto your Grandfather's .22 for sentimental reasons. An heirloom like this rifle is a great way to remember your grandfather and your family's history.

The only place that I know of for you to look for a replacement stock is Gun Parts Corp of West Hurley NY, you can also try posting on the free OldGuns.net wanted page. If that does not work you could have the stock copied by a custom stock maker. Try a Goggle search for something like gun stock makers or custom gun stocks. Good luck. Marc

# 13693 - Faded Nickel PP
11/10/2009
James, El Paso, Tx

Crown n proof right side and pre war Zella-mellis (thur) markings. The finish is almost an ''in the gray'' or old silver look. Gun functions flawlessly. Is this gun rare and what was most likely the original finish? Is the gun Valuable? What is most likely year of manufacture?

Answer:
James, I believe that all of the Walther serial number records were destroyed during the war so I can not furnish a date of manufacture. It is known that Walther first introduced the PP for commercial sales in 1929, and that the first PP serial number was 750000. This would indicate that you have a fairly early pistol.

Values for pre-war PP pistols can go as high as $1200 or more depending on condition. References indicate that all early Walther PP pistols came with a high quality commercial blue finish. The nickel finish on your pistol is not original and it will lower the value considerably, by as much as 50 percent, probably more because of the faded gray appearance. Marc

# 13504 - Jaeger/Hawken/Plains Rifle?
11/10/2009
Rich, Hamilton, Mt

PA I have inherited a heavy Octagonal barrel short for it's time muzzle loader. I believe it may be referred to as a plains or mountain rifle. Very nice condition with flip up peep style rear sight and a working patch box. Stock is possibly maple with a cheekrest. Checkering at grip and hand scrolled all along forearm. Only markings are a large ''PA'' on top of the barrel. Strangely it is only 36'' overall. It sports a bone or ivory inlay at the tip of forearm. Actually at the very muzzle end of the weapon. Possibly .52 or .54 cal. 23'' barrel length. Thanks for any ID or value help

Answer:
Rich- We cannot help without seeing this one in person, and may not be able to tell you much even then. The caliber seems about right for a Plains or Hawken style rifle. However the barrels were usually a bit longer, so this one may have been cut down at some point. Perhaps cut down to make it even handier on horseback, perhaps by an Indian or trapper. However, bone or ivory inlays are more of a European feature, so your thought that it may be a Jaeger (German hunting) rifle) is a good possibility as well.

Based on your location, I would suggest that you take it to the Missoula Gun Show in August at the University of Montana field house. Maybe one of the many experts there can help you ID this. John Spangler

# 13691 - Remington 513 T Manufacture Date
11/7/2009
Craig Salisbury, Pa.

There are no date codes on the barrel. The rifle has not been refinished so the codes were not polished out. All the other barrel markings are there including the patent numbers. It says Remington matchmaster model 513T. How can I find out the manufacture date? Thanks

Answer:
Craig, Remington manufactured about 166,000 Model 513T Matchmaster rifles from 1940 to 1968. For those who are not familiar with the model, the Matchmaster was designed for target shooting, it came equipped with a sturdy half stock with sling swivels, beavertail forend and a straight comb which rose at the heel. Matchmaster barrels were 27 inch heavy target semi-floating type. The patented Matchmaster trigger mechanism had an adjustable stop. Rear sights were usually Redfield patterns, with a replaceable-element tunnel at the muzzle. Pre-war Matchmaster magazines held seven rounds while post-war examples held six. Total weight was about 9 pounds.

The blue book lists values for this model from $150 to about $400 depending on condition. If you can provide some documentation of your rifles provenance/history some collectors may be willing to pay more for it. Marc

# 13503 - Colt 1851 Navy Value
11/7/2009
Eddie, Spotsylvania, va

Squared back trigger guard What is the value of a functional original in 60% condition?

Answer:
Eddie- I would expect to find ones matching your description offered at a gun show in the range of $2,000- 3,000. Be aware that there are more replica Colt Navy revolvers out there than there are originals, and many have been artificially aged and sold as originals to gullible people. John Spangler

# 13683 - Probably A Model 17
11/3/2009
Daniel

Nazi Eagle over swastika proof mark on barrel what might be a Nazi eagle or tri plane over the WaA251 proof mark the grip says CAL 7.65 W/W not ''court 9 coup'' This gun has a ''square'' handle with no lanyard loop. It has the Nazi proof markings. There is NO hammer. In all my research I can find none with the square handle. As well the proof mark of the eagle holding the swastika is not in the book. Is this one of the earliest models of the occupation and how many of the square handled pistolet were made? At what gate did the Germans actually take over the armes factory? Thank You

Answer:
Daniel, it sounds like you have the predecessor to the Unique Kriegsmodell, the Model 17. This was a hammerless design which was produced by Manufacture D'Armes Des Pyrenees and procured by the German military after the June 1940 occupation of France. Model 17 serial numbers range from about 21000 to 58000 so your pistol is fairly early. Estimated Model 17 German procurement is about 30,000 pistols.

Model 17 pistols have the following markings. Most of them match the markings that you mention in you'r question:

• Eagle over WaA251 - Located on the rear right frame.
• Eagle over Swastika - Located on the right barrel.
• Hard rubber grips marked "7.65mm 9 SCHUSS"
• The serial number - Located on the right frame, inside rear of slide, and the underside of barrel.
• "7.65 COURT 9 COUPS 'UNIQUE,' MANUFAC--TURE D'ARMES DES PYRENEES, HENDAYE" - Located on the left slide. Some early pistols with leftover French contract slides do not have the "MANUFACTURE D'ARMES DES PYRENEES, HENDAYE" portion of the slide legend.

Hope this helps. Marc

# 13508 - Dutch Beaumont Vitalli Rifle Made At Maastricht
11/3/2009
Rick Tacoma Washington

Butt Plate stamped 1891---Stock has Masstricht on it and a Crown over letter W barrel has several crowns on it being over a NL and a J Barrel is stamped Pc stevens Maastricht What war / conflict was this weapon used in , when was it made and what country, where can I find cartridges for it and what caliber was it ? Approx. price in excellent condition ? Thank you

Answer:
Rick- This is a Dutch military rifle, known as the Beaumont, made by J. Stevens in Maastricht (Holland) as a single shot in the 1870s, and then in 1891 it was converted to use the Vitalli box magazine to turn it into a repeating rifle instead of as single shot. Further research in Dutch military history may reveal info about their use, but I suspect it may have been limited to some colonial wars, perhaps in Indonesia or other remote places. These used a cartridge which basically is not available. These rifles are fairly common on the collector market. Values seem to run in the several hundred dollar range. Note that the J. Stevens in Maastricht is not related to the Joshua Stevens of Chicopee, Massachusetts, in any way, other than the similarity in the names. John Spangler