# 13766 - Remington Rand ERRS Serial Number
4/27/2010
Gary, Owego,NY

I believe that this gun is a experimental Remington Rand Series gun (ERRS), it's in fair condition, is this a ''collector piece'' or just a nice 45 to have?

Answer:
Gary- I think you have an exceptional piece there. Your geographic location puts you close to Syracuse, NY where the Remington Rand factory was located.

Charles Clawson’s superb (but out of print and very pricey) “Colt .45 Service Pistols” states that less than 100 pistols were made starting in 1943 with “ERRS” or “Experimental Remington Rand Series” serial numbers, although known serial numbers go as high as ERRS 131. These were apparently experiments with different machining or finishing techniques as Remington Rand tried to come up with ways to speed production or cut costs. While these pistols may have used many regular production parts, they were not delivered to the government and will not have final acceptance markings normally found on military M1911A1 pistols. Since they were not government property, Remington Rand was free to dispose of them any way they liked, and most were apparently given away to employees.

For an advanced M1911 collector one of these would be an extreme rarity and probably bring a high price. Obviously the value would be higher for one in top condition than one in “fair” condition. I think some of these may have been sold by one of the big auction houses in the last couple of years, but I do not recall the prices. John Spangler

# 13838 - Condition Condition Condition
4/27/2010
Bill S.

The Carbine has the following engraved on top of the barrel: Inland Mfg. Div. General Motors 3 44 On top of the receiver is engraved the following: U.S. Carbine Cal. 30 M1 Engraved behind the rear site is the following: Inland Div. 5208826 On the right side of the stock is a very faded emblem of Crossed Cannons. The rifle is fully functional and has the original sling and oiler in the stock. What is it worth to a collector?

Answer:
Bill, value depends condition, it can range from around $300 or less for carbine in poor condition with import marks, a bad bore and / or lots of rust and pitting to over $1500 for a carbine in excellent condition. Marc

# 13794 - Winchester Model 1897 Trench Guns
4/24/2010
Greg Portland Oregon USA

I'm trying to create a trench gun from standard field 1897(anything but norinco) as my gun is such a low serial number a ww1 would be closer to correct . But no one seems to know the difference between a ww2 gun and a ww1 gun, there are ww2 repo parts up the ying yang but virtually nothing for ww1 THE GREAT WAR plus they seem to have been much more widely used in ww1. So if you could please fill me in on any and all differences Greg Downey. Thanks

Answer:
Greg- About 20 years ago (before the Cowboy action shooters started buying up all the Model 1897 Winchester shotguns) it was common to make imitation trench guns using the surplus bayonet lug/handguard assemblies that could be found all over the place. I don’t think that is good economic sense any more, and the NORINCO repro trench guns are exceptionally good copies and dirt cheap (at least compared to a real trench gun, and less than the price of a junky Model 97 and a fake handguard.

The WW1 Model 1897 trench guns were all solid frame guns, while the WW2 version was made on the take down type frame. The WW1 handguards had six rows of holes, while the WW2 version mostly had four rows of holes. There are minor differences in the shape of the butt stock, the most obvious being the addition of small flutes at the nose of the comb on the WW2 stocks. In WW1 most (but not all) of the trench guns were hand stamped with a small US/[flaming bomb] on the right side of the receiver ahead of the ejection port. The WW2 guns had a deeply r9oll stamped U.S. on the left side of the frame.

Actually adding the handguard to the barrel is relatively simple, although the barrel seems to be thicker at the muzzle of a cut won barrel than on one made in trehcn gun length. In either case, small notches are needed on the bottom of the barrel to clear the three clamping screws that hold the bayonet lug in place. NOTE- the three screws must be removed from the lug when removing or installing the lug, or you will have to pound it off/on and badly scratch the bottom of the barrel. John Spangler

# 13830 - Parkerized WWI Luger Value
4/24/2010
Bill, Antioch CA

This gun has a Parkerized finish it's condition is 80 to 90 %. It has the original walnut grips and wooden knob magazine clip. I am trying to find the current value of the gun.

Answer:
Bill, sorry to have to tell you that Parkerization is not the finish that your Luger should have. When your Luger left the factory, it would have had an attractive Belgian rust blue finish and many of the small parts like the trigger, safety, take down lever and grip screws would have been straw colored. At best values for re-finished Lugers is about half what it would be for a pistol in original condition, for a Parkerized Luger, value may be even lower. Marc

# 13828 - Albion No.2MK1*
4/20/2010
William Greensburg Pa

No.2MK1* 1942 What is it's worth and is it American or European?

Answer:
William, your pistol was made in Birmingham, England in sometime in 1942. The break top, self ejecting design was developed by the Webley company in the 1880's. The Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock, England took over the design in the 1920's and your pistol is the result. Albion was a manufacturer of automotive parts. They accepted a contract to make the No. 2 pistols. Albion is one of the rarer makers, and there is some demand for them among collectors. Price will depend on condition but a good range is $350 to $650. Marc

# 13769 - Colt 1883 Muzzle Loading .38 Caliber Rifle
4/20/2010
Bill Bird Custer, SD

Can you tell me about this gun ? It has a full fiddleback maple stock. Cleaning rod. Looks kind of like a plainsman type muzzleloading rifle. What is its value in very nice condition.

Answer:
Bill- It sounds like a nice muzzle loading rifle. However, Colt’s muzzle loading rifle making was limited to Model 1861 Special .58 caliber muskets during the Civil War. Their rifles with 1883 patent date would have been their pump action “Lightning” model rifles in .38-40 caliber. It seems that someone took the barrel from a Colt Lightning and used it when making a muzzle loading rifle. My guess is that this work was done sometime circa 1940-1960 when muzzle loading rifles were being made by many gun lovers but there were not yet a large supply of new made parts like there is today. Probably a fun shooter, but value is probably minimal. John Spangler

# 13800 - Polish Up The Old Chrystal Ball Again
4/17/2010
Jacky, NJ

What is the value of this gun brought from Germany after WWII?

Answer:
Jacky, you did not give much to go by. Value depends on greatly on condition, matching numbers, accessories and any special marking that a firearm has. I can tell you that as a rule of thumb, value for most little German .32 caliber pistols that are not military marked tops out at around $300. Marc

# 13761 - Brown Bess Musket?
4/17/2010
Art, Schaghticoke, Ny

Brass butt plate. Pin fastened barrel. Converted to percussion, I think. Horn powder measure and wooden ram rod. Could this be a brown Bess?

Answer:
Art- Your description very closely matches that of a Brown Bess. The pin fastened barrel length of 3.5 feet would be 42 inches which is correct as is the .75 caliber bore, and brass mountings. Normally the 42 inch Brown Bess muskets used an iron ramrod, but it is possible that yours have been replaced. While the features mentioned match a Brown Bess, they also match the features of various muskets made for militia use, or made with parts salvaged from Brown Bess muskets. This is one that really needs to be identified based on photos or a hands on inspection. John Spangler

# 13753 - Swivel Breech Percussion Double Barrel Rifle
4/13/2010
Lee, Davisburg, MI

This percussion rifle has one smooth bore barrel and one rifled with six grooves. Both barrels are octagon and have initials inscribed. The first appears to be `G` or `J`. The second is not very legible, but may be an `S`. The third is most definitely an `H`. The stock has numerous brass inlays and cap box. The cover on the cap box appears to have a bird engraved with a wavy rope or snake above it. The forestock inlays are oblong with three points in the center, top & bottom. The butt stock is curly maple, has an 8-point star on the cheek rest and a half-moon above the trigger guard. Curly maple also runs the full length of the barrels on both side culminating with 1 1/2 inch brass. The ramrod is nicely integrated into one side. Sights are fixed with a low blade at the muzzle and a low slot about 10 inches from the breach. I can send photos if you wish. Can you tell me who may have made this rifle. It is in excellent shape with the exception of a broken nipple and a loose inlay.

Answer:
Lee- It sounds like a nice gun. The initials are not a big help, but looking through all the “S” names in Frank Sellers’ “American Gunsmiths” book may turn up a match. Sellers often indicates the time and location and type of guns the individual made, so that will narrow down any possible matches. John Spangler

# 13797 - 30 Luger Information
4/13/2010
Forrest, Clifton Forge, Va.

DWM, crown over N Any idea of the date this gun was made? Was it a military piece? Any other info about this gun would be appreciated.

Answer:
Forrest, the 30 caliber and crown over N proof mark suggest the pistol was probably made after 1920 and before about 1934. It almost certainly was made for commercial sales and/or export. The German army only used Luger pistols in 9mm caliber. Marc

# 13751 - Springfield Model 1864
4/10/2010
Kevin-Louisville, Ky

Approximate value? The gun was never sporterized after the war still has the bayonet and the gun is still in working condition. Was fired four times in 1978, safe to assume that it would still fire today. Overall the gun is in excellent shape.

Answer:
Kevin- First, there may be some confusion about exactly what you have. The “Model 1864” name is sometimes applied to the U.S. Model 1863 (type 2) .58 caliber muzzle loading rifle musket. I am assuming that is what you have. Sometimes people see an 1864 date on the lock and think it is a model, when it is actually only the date the lock was made. The 1864 dated locks were used on the Model 1863 (type 2) .58 caliber rifle musket, the Model 1866 .50-70 breechloading rifle with the 40 inch barrel, and the Model 1868 and 1870 .50-70 rifles with their 32 5/8 inch barrels.

If it is the Model 1863 (type 2) rifle musket then I would expect to see similar guns at guns shows priced around $1200-2000. However, you r best bet is to look for other examples being offered for sale that match the condition of your gun. Remember, though, that anyone can advertise a gun at any price they want, but you need to find ones that have actually sold, as the sale price may be a lot different from the asking price in some venues. John Spangler

# 13790 - Universal M1
4/10/2010
Matt Milwaukee

Universal H.ALEAH FLA on top of gun. The serial number had another mark on it, it could be another ''1'' or an ''L'' in front of it. This gun looks to be never fired, what age is this gun? Is this a military weapon? Do you have a value?

Answer:
Matt, as a whole, your carbine was never a military weapon, although some of the individual parts may have been. Universal Firearms Corporation of Hialeah, Florida is best known for their copies of the .30 M1 Carbine, and M1 Carbine variations with different stocks and sights. Universal started out in the late 1950s putting together M-1 carbines using surplus GI parts with their own receivers. They operated from the late 1950s until 1983 when they were taken over by Iver Johnson. The Universal Firearms facilities were moved to Arkansas in the summer of 1984. The blue book lists values for most models of Universal carbines between about $100 and about $350. Marc

# 13788 - FIE Worth Fixing?
4/6/2010
John Las Vegas NV.

Barrel, trigger, and drum are stainless the frame is gold with engravings all over the frame. Marks PN and AB on the right side of the frame and K PR next to the serial number. Just would like to know some history on this gun, it was given to my dad and its missing some parts just trying to find out if its worth trying to fix it. Thanks

Answer:
John, FIE stands for Firearms Import Export company, they operated out of Hialeah, Florida (part of Miami) from about 1980 until 1990 when they declared bankruptcy. Your gun was probably made between those dates. Most of the firearms that FIE imported were inexpensive lower quality types so I doubt that it would be worth the trouble and expense to find replacement parts. Marc.

# 13731 - Winchester-Lee Straight Pull 6mm Serial Number
4/6/2010
Sgt. Rock, Elmhurst, Illinois, USA

Where would the S/N be? The seller cannot find it. Could it not have one?

Answer:
Sir- Normally the military contract examples of the Winchester-Lee 6mm Navy model rifle will have the serial number and inspector initials on the receiver ring. The commercial guns were marked there also (with number only). I have not heard of any that were made without numbers, so it may be that someone removed the number, which would make it illegal to possess. John Spangler

# 13713 - Colt Model 1892 .38 D A Army Revolver History
4/3/2010
Anthony, Newton, Al

RAC markings on the cylinder and frame. Butt of the weapon has ''US Army Model 1892 No 445''. Barrel has patent ''AUG 5,1884, NOV 6,1888, Mar 5, 1895. Bottom of barrel has P2060 RAC. I have been trying to research where this firearm was used at as far as combat. Philippines, Boxer Rebellion or Cuba. I have contacted Colt, U.S. Army Ordinance Museum, Smithsonian and Ft. Benning Infantry Museum but keep getting road blocks. NEED HELP!

Answer:
Anthony- Lay down the gun and surrender NOW! For some questions there are just no answers left. Small arms issue and custody records were temporary and routinely destroyed when no longer needed. A few remain, buried in obscure files in the national Archives. The late Frank Mallory searched for decades and found a few numbers here and there, but there is simply no master list that exists anywhere. Your number is not one that was found by Mr. Mallory, so forget that route. If you would like to continue the search, the National Archives records are available to the public if you have a few months or years in the Washington area and want to dig through mountains of records. There is an excellent description of how to research these records at http://armscollectors.com/archivesresearchtips07may9.htm on our ArmsCollectors.com site. John Spangler

# 13847 - 1911A1 History And Value.
4/3/2010
David Dardanelle, AR

On the slide, it says United States Property. Also, M1911A1 U.S. Army Also, on the other side it has G.H.D stamped between the trigger and grips. I would just like to know some history behind this gun and maybe a value.( value not as important). This gun was purchased at a Pawn shop in Ft. Smith AR in the mid eighties. Thanks for your help.

Answer:
David, there is not much that I can tell you about the history of your pistol except that the frame is not Ithaca, it was manufactured by Colt in 1944. The initials G.H.D. that you mention stand for Lt.Col. Guy H. Drewry who inspected Smith & Wesson .38 Revolvers, Colt .45, 38 and .22 Revolvers and Pistols, Winchester and Underwood M1 Carbines and Colt Ace .22 Pistols from 1930 to 1946. There are no historical records for Colt serial number 1735539 but Colt 1911A1 pistols with numbers that are close were known to have been at USMC Camp Lejeune, USMC Camp Pendleton and USMC UN Det Palestine.

Sorry to tell you bad news but the nickel finish which is not original and mis-matched slide and frame of this pistol really hurt the value. I would expect to see a pistol like you describe sell at a gunshow in the $300 range as a shooter. Marc