# 14494 - M1903 National Match Rifle?
3/30/2013
James

Standard Military 30.06, polished bolt, original condition I believe this to be a 1926 mfg. rifle and trying to find out if it is a match rifle, one of 25000 made between 1920 and 1940.

Answer:
James- There is no documented history on your rifle that I can find. Many rifles with nearby numbers were sold through the DCM program circa 1926-1931 and most of those were indeed National Match rifles. Some of the numbers not listed as sold may have been used by military teams, or sold without the usual records surviving, so I think there is a good chance it might be a NM rifle. The only way to tell for sure would be to inspect the rifle to see if it has all the correct special NM parts of the period. If so, then it is a nice find. Congratulations! John Spangler

# 14653 - Norinco 1911A1 With Original Wood Grps
3/30/2013
Scott Mech. PA

Model Of The 1911A1 *norinco logo* 45 Automatic I have a Norinco 1911 with what are assumed to be original wood grips. Can you tell me the date of manufacture?

Answer:
Scott, NORINCO is a Chinese company that was established in 1980 with the approval of the State Council of China. The NORINCO 1911A1 was patterned after the Colt 1911 A1, it came with a 5 inch barrel, 7 shot magazine, fixed sights, blue or Parkerized finish and wood grips. NORINCO 1911A1s were imported from 1991 to 1995 which was about the time when the import of most NORINCO firearms and ammunition into the United States were blocked under new trade rules when China's Most Favored Nation status was renewed. Marc

# 14683 - Gun Value
3/30/2013
Doug, Spotsylvania, Virginia

On A Browning Pat. Purchased in 1935 Good Condition How to find The Value.

Answer:
Doug - try this link: http://www.bluebookofgunvalues.com/?gclid=CLyD9e3BpLYCFYI- MgodL3YA5Q

# 4098 - Higgins M85
3/26/2013
Jay, Roanoke, VA

Made in France. Manufacture D'Armes Des Pyrenees F ses - Hendaye590.850 I just inherited a few guns and was wondering if I could get some info on this one. Never heard of it. Any idea on the value? Also, the grips are cracked. Any ideas where I could pick up a set?

Answer:
Jacki, J. C. Higgins is a trade name of Sears, Roebuck & Company that they used on firearms made by various manufacturers. A quick internet search reveals that the J. C. Higgins Model 85 pistol was manufactured in France for Sears by Unique (Manufacture d'Armes de Pyrenees Francaises) of Hendaye. The Model 85 is Unique's Model Corsair.

Manufacture d'Armes was formed in 1923. Prior to 1939, Unique firearms were marketed mainly to domestic defence, police and military sales. After 1945, the focus of the company gradually turned to the target pistols. When Unique went out of business, Bob's Gun Parts of Royal, Arkansas bought all the remaining inventory of Unique pistols parts.

It has been my experience that firearms with the J. C. Higgins trade name always have a significantly lower value then comparable models by the original manufacturer. I would expect to see a Model 85 selling at a gunshow in the $100 range. Marc

# 14492 - M1 Carbine Date Of Manufacture
3/26/2013
Eric, Palmyra, NY

J M B on barrel band What is the Approximate date of manufacture? The carbines do not show up on your site. Thank you in advance for any help with this.

Answer:
Eric- It is amazing to realize that during WW2 about 6.5 million M1 carbines were made (including the M1A1, M2 and T3 variations), nearly all of them in the two years between mid-1942 and mid-1944. Since they were made in such a compressed period, no one seems to care too much if one was made in January of 1943 or December 1943. Getting specific is made even more difficult by the fact that a committee dedicated to getting the maximum production rate for M1 Carbines “integrated” components (including receivers and barrels) from one maker to another as needed to keep production flowing. But, usually, if the barrel has a date that is probably a month or two before the gun it is on was assembled. If we tried to make that many guns today, they would still be arguing about environmental impact statements, or the “high capacity magazines” when during WW2 they would have hundreds of thousands of guns shipping to the troops every month. John Spangler

# 14652 - Armi Galesi Parts
3/19/2013
Richard

Any ideas on where I can find a firing pin to replace my rather beat up looking one...

Answer:
Richard, parts may be hard to find for this firearm. Recommend you check with Gun Parts Corp (the old Numrich Arms people) at the following URL:

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/

Gun Parts Corp has just about everything. 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

# 14491 - Whitney .36 Percussion Revolver Value
3/19/2013
USA

The gun is in good condition and has an octagonal barrel. It has been in my family for 150 years. Value of weapon.

Answer:
Sir- Value will depend on which of several variations it is, and exactly how “rusty” the condition is. If there are just a few small freckles on the blue finish, then perhaps as much as $1,000 or so, but if overall smooth brown rust or patina, then maybe half that. If heavily rusted and rough and pitted then much, much less. If it is not working properly, and heavily rusted relic condition, then probably under $100.

Since this has been in the family for so long, I would encourage you to hang on to it. It may be one of the ones used by the Navy during (and after) the Civil War. Maybe you should research your family tree and find out more about who may have used it. John Spangler.

# 14490 - Removing Mauser Cleaning Rod
3/16/2013
Bob Fairborn, Ohio

How to remove Cleaning rod from stock? I can't pull the rod out of stock to use to clean rifle.

Answer:
Bob- Most of the early Mauser rifles have a threaded plate in the stock where the cleaning rod stops, and that plate is threaded to match the threads on the end of the cleaning rod. Just unscrew the rod (maybe 8-12 turns or so) and it should then pull right out. Which way- “righty tightee- lefty loosey.” John Spangler

# 14650 - Frankenstein Luger
3/16/2013
Steve Price, UT

2 eagles on right forward receiver, ''1938'' on top front of the rear receiver, ''66'' on left side of receiver, ''byf'' on top of action, ''89'' behind that and also on rear of receiver This is a gun given to me by my grandfather. He had ordered a crate of SKS rifle from an unknown distributor in the 1980`s, upon opening the crate, this gun was found in the bottom of the crate. It has the original leather holster, with original magazine. We have a little online research and can not find any exact matches to this gun. The only ones that we could find online with the correct date had ''S42'' instead of the ''byf'', the ones with the ''byf'' don't have the correct date. We think that is might be a police sidearm or a ''Black Widow''. We are interested in a history of this gun and what it might be worth

Answer:
Steve, "byf" Lugers were manufactured in 1941 and 1942, the letters "byf" were the manufacturer's code assigned to the Mauser factory in February of 1941. The inconsistent dates, codes and match numbers on your Luger make it appear that you have what collectors call a mis-matched or Frankenstein gun which is made with parts from several different Lugers. This will adversely affect collector interest and value. Values for mis-matched Lugers are mostly as shooters, in the $300 to $500 range depending on the condition of the finish and bore. If the holster is WWII German military issue with correct markings, value for it can go as high as $350, depending on condition. Marc

# 14649 - Beretta Model 100
3/12/2013
Fred Venice FL

On front of trigger guard trg xxv PSF I am looking for a front sight and would like to know the year it was made. It is a very nice gun and would like to use it one day I have had it for more then 20 years and never had much luck

Answer:
Fred, your pistol was manufactured in the late 1960s. J.B. Wood's book "Beretta Automatic Pistols" indicates that the Beretta Model 100 was an effort to comply with importation criteria of the US federal firearms law of 1968. The model 100 was basically a model 70 with adjustable sights, longer barrel and longer grip frame.

For parts I recommend you check with Gun Parts Corp (the old Numrich Arms people) at the following URL:

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/

Gun Parts Corp has just about everything. If that doesn't work, try posting it on our free "Wanted" page at the following URL:

http://oldguns.net/submitwn.htm

Hope that this helps. Marc

# 14489 - MG17 Parabellum Gun
3/12/2013
Cassie, Baltimore, MD

How much would a 1918 (WWI issue) Parabellum MG17 be worth? It does fire, and is in good shape. An approximate reasonable price is fine. Thanks.

Answer:
Cassie- I regret I cannot help much on that one. Parabellum usually refers to the 9mm Luger (9 x 19mm for our European friends) cartridge, which has been used in hundreds of pistols and dozens of submachine guns over the years. MG17 is usually the format used by Germans to designate a machine gun of rifle caliber, and MP for Machine Pistol which was the German term for submachine guns.

If you have a submachine gun, it has no value (except to get you in serious trouble!!!!) unless you also have proof that it has been registered with the BATFE. If it is one of the Luger pistols (Pistole 08) from WW1, those have good collector value, but not quite as much as the WW2 era guns. John Spangler

# 14488 - Mosin Nagant Rifle Tool Kit
3/9/2013
James

What are all of the items and their use that come in the tool pouch with most all of the Mosin Nagants? Thanks for your time !

Answer:
James- There are all sorts of goodies included with the Mosin Nagant rifles, and for the really obsessed collector you could spend hours of fun trying accumulate all the known, and even unknown variations, of the oil bottles, cleaning kits, bolt tools, muzzle protectors, jags and brushes, stripper clips and ammo pouches. The very best reference for ANYTHING related to the ubiquitous and cheap Mosin Nagant collecting field can be found on the great site http://7.62x54r.net and the accessories are found at http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinAcc.htm One of the links on that page shows the bolt tool in use. John Spangler

# 14646 - Larger Serial Number Message.
3/9/2013
Brandon De Kalb, Texas

The chamber cover plate is a red-tone color. I tried to look up the serial number and could not find a result on my search. The serial number is larger than the accepted serial numbers. What does this mean?

Answer:
Brandon, if you were using our serial number search, we only have records for up to about 1982. The message that you received simply means that your rifle was manufactured after 1982. Marc

# 14645 - JC Higgins 85
3/5/2013
Dave, Midlothian, Texas

need to know history for customer.

Answer:
Dave, a quick internet search reveals that the J. C. Higgins Model 85 pistol was manufactured in France for Sears by Unique (Manufacture d'Armes de Pyrenees Francaises) of Hendaye. The Model 85 is Unique's Model Corsair.

Manufacture d'Armes was formed in 1923. Prior to 1939, Unique firearms were marketed mainly to domestic defence, police and military sales. After 1945, the focus of the company gradually turned to the target pistols. When Unique went out of business, Bob's Gun Parts of Royal, Arkansas bought all the remaining inventory of Unique pistols parts. Marc

# 14487 - Winchester Model 1873 Carbine Marked “HOUSTON”
3/5/2013
David, Manteno, Illinois

HOUSTON marked twice on the top of the barrel I have an old early Winchester model 73 carbine. It is a 3rd model and was originally nickel. it is so worn from use that the nickel is 97% worn off and the serial number is completely worn off. My question is in regards to the unusual markings on the top of the barrel. It is stamped ''HOUSTON'' twice. they are very old stampings because they are worn very well. I believe this gun is circa 1880s? because it has the old style double leaf site on the rear. Do you have any idea what the ''Houston'' markings were?

Answer:
David- I do not know what the “HOUSTON” markings refer to. Here are some guesses: They are the name of the owner, perhaps Sam or Bill Houston but probably not THE “Sam Houston” so beloved by Texans as he died in 1863, long before your rifle was made. Perhaps it is the marking applied by a city jail or police force, such as Houston, Texas. Perhaps it was marked by some shipping company for use aboard a vessel named “Houston” for use shooting sharks, guarding cargo or prisoners, repelling boarders or just showing off to visitors. You may want to get a “factory letter” from the Cody Firearms Museum to see if any mention is made of such markings in their records, of the absence might confirm they are post-factory markings. But, you need the serial number to get a letter. I suspect that the number was buffed off when they nickel plated the gun, but since you indicate the nickel is mostly gone, you may be able to “raise” the serial number with the “crime lab technique” using an acid solution to reveal the dissimilar metal reactions. (See the book “Fighting Iron” by Art Gogan for the instructions on how to do that.) Good luck. John Spangler

# 14485 - Rock Island Model 1903 Rifle
3/2/2013
Hayden, Moscow, Idaho

I have a Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903 rifle, the stock as no proof marks which leads me to assume it was a custom stock. My bolt as REM serial number stamped on it. I have a few questions about it: Are these rifles rare and what it the history behind my rifle? Is this bolt not original to my RIA barrel?

Answer:
Sir- Unfortunately, there is no documented history available for your rifle. This would have started off as a standard Model 1903 “Springfield” rifle, even though made at Rock Island Arsenal. These are not especially rare, although examples which have not been arsenal updated or commercially “sporterized” are a bit tough to find. A bolt marked “REM” would not have been originally used in this rifle, but “parts is parts” and M1903 bolts are interchangeable, so while not original it probably is safe, but you need to check with a competent gunsmith to be sure. John Spangler

# 14643 - Gerstenberger & Eberwein Safe?
3/2/2013
Sandy, Chicago, IL

Is this a safe/reliable gun? Is it capable of firing .22 long cartridges?

Answer:
Sandy, Gerstenberger & Eberwein was founded in West Germany in the early 1950s. Since their founding, the company has produced a line of cheap starter pistols, cheap .22 rimfire revolvers and cheap .32 center-fire revolvers under various names including Em.Ge, G&E, Omega and PIC.

All of the Gerstenberger & Eberwein revolvers were double action, six-shot with solid frames and barrels measuring 2.25 to 6 inches in length. There were two basic patterns, a gate-loaded design with ejection performed by removing the cylinder arbor pin to punch out spent cases, and a design with a spring-loaded ejector rod on the bottom right side of the barrel. Gerstenberger & Eberwein revolvers were widely sold in the USA before the gun control laws of 1968 banned the importation of this type of firearm. Values are modest, they top out at around $100.

You were asking if this is a safe reliable revolver? In my humble opinion, NO!!! Marc