# 14693 - Something That I Think You Failed To Consider
5/28/2013
USA

I am looking for a 1917 Enfield s/n 204656. I have a Camp Perry shooters book from an Army Lt. that used it to qualify at Camp Perry in 1918. If I find it, I will take it back and shoot it in 2018. It is a long shot, but if you see it, let me know.

Answer:
Total M1917 rifle production for all three manufacturers (Eddystone, Remington and Winchester) was about 2,422,529 so the odds of finding the rifle you are looking for are very low, but there is another fact that I think that you may have failed to consider. Serial numbers for the thee manufacturers overlapped. This means that there was an Eddystone, Remington and Winchester M1917 rifle that all had the serial number that you are looking for. Unless you know the manufacturer, you can not be sure if you have the same rifle that was used in 1918 to qualify at Camp Perry.

The following information may be of some assistance in your search:

Winchester - March 1918 serial numbers 175,223 - 217,423
Remington - May 1918 serial numbers 184,314 - 238,791
Eddystone - January 1918 serial numbers 174,160 - 256,006


Marc

# 14553 - Nickel Plated Trapdoor Carbine?
5/28/2013
Jim Adams-Clio,Michigan-USA

Has an eagle on the side that says U.S. Springfield 1883 and has an eagle on the left side I was told this gun was a cut down version of the old carbine versions. I was really wanting to sell this gun and get something different and I was wondering if there was a market for these? Thank You, Jim

Answer:
Jim- This gun is full of contradictions. First, there WERE a few hundred Model 1868 .50-70 rifles around 40,847 (but NOT that specific number) which were officially nickel plated, but they were .50 not .45 caliber and the lockplate date would be 1863, not 1883, and they were full length rifles.

The .45 caliber arms with 1883 dated lock plates were guns assembled by surplus dealers from assorted scrap parts, with very little value. The actual .45-70 carbines had barrels that were 22 inches long, not 25 ½ inches.

So, none of the possible options is a good match for a regulation arm, so it is most likely a cut down of some sort, possibly for some sort of “Boys’ Brigade” youth group or for theatrical use or something. As far as value, that will be very modest, probably no more than the sum of whatever small parts might be salvaged. John Spangler

# 14552 - Customized M1 Garand
5/25/2013
Irvin, Smyrna, TN

C-46025 - -SA in front of trigger guard Please Help! I am in possession of a Springfield Armory M1 Garand unlike any I have ever seen. Every M1 I’ve seen has a 7 digit serial number, mine only has 5 (ser# 89675). There is no rear sight assembly, only a raised bar with a v grove in it. The front sight is different also. Rather than the normal winged front sight there is a triangular sight mounted. There is a circular loop built on the trigger guard and there is a palm and fingers molded into the front grip I have never seen before…please help…what the heck do I have…any ideas? Thank you for any help you can render. Irvin P. Watson, SGM, USA (Ret)

Answer:
Irvin- Garand serial numbers can be found with 1, 2, 3, 4 5, 6 or 7 digits, reflecting their starting at number 1 working up to the 6 million range. Your rifle was probably made around November 1940. The sights and the front grip definitely sound like someone’s custom work to “beautify” the rifle to their (perverted?) tastes. I am positive it is not government work. This may be one of the early rifles that got scrapped and then was “rewelded” back together and many of those got “sporterized. If the receiver is NOT a reweld, it may appeal to collectors, but the rest of the rifle may or may not be worth much. Too bad, as early unmolested rifle are scarce… and valuable. John Spangler

# 14692 - Use The DOM Program
5/25/2013
Leo, Sitka, Alaska

Made in New Haven, Conn. USA Winchester Proof Steel The shotgun style butt plate has a circle with Winchester Repeating Arms and a symbol stamped into it. There is a front sling attachment on the magazine tube and no sling attachment on stock and not tapped for scope. It has walnut stocks and satin finish. Purchased from estate in new condition in 1985. I have only shot a dozen rounds through it to date at the range. It is still in like new condition. What is year of manufacture? What is the dollar value of this rifle?

Answer:
Leo, OldGuns.net has provided a program so that our visitors can look up dates of manufacture for most Winchester rifles, there is a link to our Winchester dates of manufacture program on the OldGuns.net menu bar near the bottom. The OldGuns.net dates of manufacture program tells me that your Winchester was manufactured in in 1977. Your rifle does have value as a shooter but the ones that collectors are after, are rifles manufactured before 1964. Depending on condition I would expect your rifle to sell in the $350 range. Hope this helps. Marc

# 14691 - Nickel Pre-Woodsman
5/21/2013
Cathy

This is ONLY marked Patented for Dec. 22nd 1903. No other year on it. Factory engraved. Also marked, Colt's PTFA MFG CO. Hartford CT USA Possible metal nickel? Not sure How much could this be worth? In very good condition Thank you

Answer:
Cathy, it sounds like you have a "Colt Automatic Pistol, Caliber .22 Target Model", this model was manufactured from 1915 to 1927 when Colt changed the name to The Woodsman. My records indicate that the year of manufacture for Colt Automatic Pistol, Caliber .22 Target Model, serial number 5287# is 192#. Colt collectors have shortened the name of this model to "Pre-Woodsman". Pre-Woodsman pistols should have a blue finish, 10 shot magazine with bottom magazine release, checkered walnut grips and adjustable front and rear sights. Pre-Woodsman barrels were 6 & 5/8 inches in length. I can find no mention in any of my reference books of these pistols being sold with a 5 inch barrel or a nickel finish. The 4 & 1/2-inch barrel was first introduced in 1932 on the Woodsman Sport Model. Possibly you measured incorrectly, or the barrel was shortened, or (heaven forbid) I have guessed the wrong model.

Values for Pre-Woodsman pistols range from $200 to over $1000 depending on condition. If the barrel has been shortened or if your finish has been changed to nickel, or if there is no finish left, collector interest is pretty much ruined and value for this pistol will be in the low end of the range.

If you decide shoot the pistol, take care to use the proper ammunition. Pre-Woodsman pistols were designed to fire standard velocity .22 ammunition only, high velocity ammunition may be dangerous to shoot and will damage the pistol. Marc

# 14549 - Bernadelli .44 Caliber Revolver In South Africa
5/21/2013
South Africa, Johannesburg

''CA'' Stamp located on the right side of the frame What is the history behind this piece and in what battle was it used. It was found in Buffelsdrift,Pretoria,Gauteng in South Africa

Answer:
Sir- I regret I cannot help much with that. My best guess is that it may have been a privately purchased arm, either with the Afrikaans or Boers or perhaps with some British forces in the Boer Wars. This is a bit out of our area of expertise, so I would defer to someone with better knowledge in that area. Sounds like an interesting relic. John Spangler

# 14548 - “New York Club” Brand .22 Rifle
5/18/2013
Don Concord N.C. U.S.A.

Pat Apr 14 1882 I can't find any information about this gun. can you help?

Answer:
Don- Once again, the late Frank Sellers’ indispensible “American Gunsmiths” provides the answer. “New York Club” was a trade name used on rolling block rifles made by Crescent Arms Company. Crescent is best known for their huge production of mostly inexpensive and often downright cheap single or double barrel shotguns circa 1880-1920. That is about all I can tell you, though. John Spangler

# 14682 - Colt Grips On An Omega
5/18/2013
Billy, Garfield Ar USA

The pistol in question has Colt grips. Did someone replace the original grips? Thanks

Answer:
Billy, I do not believe that your revolver came with Colt grips, it was probably manufactured by EM-GE of West Germany sometime in the 1960s. The company marketed a line of cheap .22 rimfire and .32 center-fire revolvers under the Em, Ge, G&E, Omega and PIC brand names among others. Many shooters (including myself) consider these revolvers unsafe to fire. Marc

# 14658 - Winchester 490
5/14/2013
JP, San Mateo, CA

Asterisk before serial number ( may be for recall ) supposed to be after serial? Looking for year made.

Answer:
JP, Winchester's Model 490 was a blowback- operated, semi-automatic design, that was chambered for the .22 LR cartridge. Rifles came equipped with a 22 inch barrel, open sights and a 5-round, detachable magazine. The finish was blued, with a checkered stock. Production for this model only lasted from 1975 to 1980 so your rifle was manufactured somewhere in those years. Marc

# 14543 - M1 Garand Value
5/14/2013
David Tharp, Las Vegas, No

There are no special markings on the stock or the gun but all the parts are with cleaning rods oil kit Thank you, this is my M1 grand it's in very good condition, my grandfather was drafted into the Army World War II but he had four siblings to take care of so they just had him guarding shipments and they gave him this M1 grand when the war was over he bought it for $77 and the 45 pistol for $25 the question is what is the M1 grand worth and its history I have to with them they're both in good shape but I believe this one was built in 1945, I have all the serial numbers on it if you would like to give them to you. This is my M1 grand Serial number US rifle, caliber 30 M1 Springfield Armory, Behind site serial number 3798148, Bolt mechanism serial number D28287 - 9S a, A-9 Receiver serial number…B 1 Z D 28291 35 Slide mechanism serial number ….D 35382 9 SA Trigger mechanism serial number D 28290-5-SA Safety serial number C 46025 W.R.A could you please tell me I was told this gun might be worth about thousand dollars or get the words $2000 $3000 I don't know but like so please get back to me thank you very much

Answer:
David- It sounds like your rifle is mostly correct, although at least the safety is from a different maker. Such mixing of parts is common on rifle that were issued, where several soldiers would be cleaning parts and some would be switched. Troops had no idea what all those little numbers and letters were, and cared less, and the parts were 100% interchangeable anyway, so it made no difference--- except to picky collectors some fifty years later!

Value will vary with the bore condition, how nice the wood is, and the condition of the finish on the metal. My rough guess would be that $1,000 retail is fairly realistic based on your description. If it were all 100% matching in as new condition, then maybe $2,000 retail on a good day with an eager buyer. If it has any sentimental value, keep it in the family. If not, get back in touch with us and we will be glad to discuss your options for selling.

# 14542 - M1 Garand Date
5/11/2013
AL Fredericksburg, Va

Made by H&R Arms Co. When was this Rifle Issued

Answer:
Al- There is no good source on info on when M1 Garand rifles were issued, let alone where. The best clue for rifles that have NOT had the barrel changed would be the date of manufacture of the barrel. This is visible on the right side of the barrel when the operating rod is pulled back. The usual format is a long number such as D 6535448 followed by the maker’s initials and month and year of manufacture and an inspection stamp. The barrel date is usually a very few months before the rifle was assembled, and issue would have been any time after that. Perhaps it was issued after only a few weeks or months, or perhaps the rifle sat in a crate for decades and eventually got sold off as surplus without ever being issued. John Spangler

# 14640 - Lignos 25
5/11/2013
Steve, Laty, Texas

The markings on the pistol say, as best as I can determine: AKT-GES Lignos, Berlin Model 2 Cal. 6.35 Condition is at least VG, probably Excellent. The pistol was owned by my wife's great Aunt and was passed on to us upon her death. To our knowledge, it was fired exactly one time. and one round, which was accidental. I have not been able to find out much information about this pistol, and am curious on any general information about it, as well as a possible value. Also can you confirm that the cal. 6.35 is in fact .25 auto?

Answer:
Steve, in 1921, Lignose bought out Bergmann and its factory which was located in Suhl. The Bergmann Chylewski one-hand-cocking pistol was continued by Lignose as was the Bergmann Taschenpistole. The Taschenpistolen became Lignose models 2 and 3, while the Einhand became Lignose models 2A and 3A. Collector interest in Lignose pistols is low, the bluebook sets values for them between $50 and about $300. I would expect to see one in excellent condition offered at a gunshow in the $250 range. Marc

# 14684 - Theodore Roosevelt Commutative
5/7/2013
Travis Maryville TN

Blued barrel, trimmed in silver, with nickel trigger and hammer, saddle ring, and the coin in the stock. What is the value and year of my gun, please? I have this unfired like new rifle but do not have the box. I bought it this way.

Answer:
Travis, Your Teddy Roosevelt Commemorative is one of 52,386 rifles and carbines made in 1969. In the late 60's Winchester made a commemorative for just about everything but National Jell-O Week, which essentially killed most interest in them. We recently had a Wyoming Diamond Jubilee Carbine, one of 1500 made in 1964 and almost had to give it away! If yours were absolutely unfired, not scratches or wear at all, anywhere, with the box and papers and the cover for the box in excellent shape, it would probably sell (slowly) for about $400.00. Without the Box and papers maybe $300? Marc

# 14534 - Belgian Liege “Tige” Short Rifle
5/7/2013
Marlen, Kingsley, Iowa

US stamped on butt plate tang with C stamped sideways over it. Louis Malherbe's ''LM'' under crown stamped on lockplate, crowned G stamped on middle barrel band, ''X'' carved on top of barrel by breech plate with ''BEN'' after it Know this is civil war rifle probably used by both north and south, but haven't been able to find any others like it and would like to know approx value (insurance). Don't want to sell. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Answer:
Marlen- I would expect to find ones matching your description offered at a gun show in the range of $500-900. Hope that helps. John Spangler

# 14532 - Afghan Fancy Flintlock Pistols
5/4/2013
Sal, Gainesville, VA

Pearl and Ivory all over both pistols. Sir/Madam, I have two antique flint guns that (from my research) I have gathered are from the mid to late 1800`s, from Afghanistan. Both Guns have designs, one with pearl and the other with ivory. There are no visible manufacturers listed on either gun. One is in OK shape, while the other is in good shape. Please let me know if you can help, or know someone who can help identify what these are, and what they are worth. Thanks, Sal

Answer:
Sal- Since these guns were all hand made, there is little information about them, but in general, they copy traditional tribal designs, or in some cases, the patterns of arms supplied to India by the British. The vast majority that I have seen are ones that were made recently for sale to the “tourist trade.” A few use some genuine old parts, but most seem to be entirely newly made, then brutally aged. Since we have had troops there for over 10 years, there are a lot of these in circulation, and the supply seems to be larger than any demand. They are good souvenirs, and perhaps the dubious truthfulness of the descriptions from the sellers may be a good reminder about their culture in general. Value is whatever you can get for them, probably in the $100-150 range judging by prices I have seen. John Spangler

# 14632 - Eibar 38
5/4/2013
Point Pleasant, WV

trade mark circle H. 4 screws right side. odd cylinder eject lever When was it made and is it safe to use?

Answer:
Elbar Is town in the province of Guipuzcoa, in the Basque region of northern Spain, it was virtually the home of Spanish gun making prior to the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). I could not find any information about Eibar Brothers revolvers, my guess is that it is one of many inexpensive revolvers manufactured in Eibar in the first half of the last century. Many Eibar revolvers were manufactured using inferior quality steel and are not considered safe to fire. Demand for these revolvers is very low, probably in the $50 or less range. Marc