# 14319 - Winchester Model 75 Information
6/26/2012
USA

When was this weapon made? How many were made? Is it worth anything once it has been restored from its current rusty state?

Answer:
The Winchester Model 75 was manufactured with the same barrel length, and trigger pull length as the model 52 but it was 22 ounces lighter than the Standard grade Model 52. The action was a military type, developed especially for this rifle. The Standard box magazine held five .22 long rifle cartridges. Barrels were 28" long, with a diameter at the shoulder of approximately 1". The Model 75 was available in Sporting Rifle and Target Rifle configurations. The Sporting Rifle came with 24" round barrel and select walnut checkered pistol-grip stock and forend. This rifle was furnished with either open rear sights or a Lyman 57 E receiver sight. The Target Rifle configuration had a 28" round barrel with plain walnut pistol-grip stock and forend. The Target Rifle was furnished with either a Winchester 8-power telescope or a variety of target sights. The Model 75 was discontinued in 1958 with about 89,000 sold.

Values for Model 75 rifles range from around $200 to over $1400 depending on configuration and condition. Values for rifles that have been re-finished are about 1/2 or less the value of a Model 75 rifle in the same condition that has not been re-finished.

To find the date of manufacture, please check the Winchester manufacture dates link on the FineOldGuns.com menu. Marc

# 14356 - Winchester Model 99 .22 “ Thumb Trigger ” Rifle
6/26/2012
Matt

Found an old thumb trigger .22 not a Winchester has no bolt to it just a hammer that locks to the rear with your thumb it's a small boys rifle would like to know more about it I do have a few pictures of it

Answer:
Matt- I am not aware of any ”boys’ rifles” other than the Winchester Model 99. so I have to go on the assumption that it is one of those. If we saw photos, we may decide otherwise. They are “oddities” that appeal to some collectors, especially if in higher condition grades. John Spangler

# 14355 - 1941 Johnson Semi-Automatic Rifle
6/23/2012
Hampton Virginia

I purchased a 1941 model Johnson 30.06 rifle SN-3099 Steel Butt SN-765 I bought it in 1974 from an older X-Marine since guns were Illegal to have on Okinawa. I bought from him & shipped it back to the states I paid $40.00. He told me it was his issued rile before they made his unit go to the M - Grand. He has married to an Okinawa woman since then he has died he did tell me one day it would be worth some money? I fired it for the first time a few months back I shot 40 rounds flawlessly & was the most accurate gun I ever shot at 100 Yards. The only problem I had is the Bolt does not stay open even after the last shot? I saw other videos from web sites where the bolt says open after the final shot. Is this a flaw in the weapon? I have heard early models were like this until the military made them change is this true? When I pull the bolt back it does not lock which creates a problem at the range, Bolts must be in an open position when live firing is stopped, so I jam a wooden block between the bolts. What is the history of this gun & what is it worth below are photos? The gun to me is in very nice condition & is all original condition

Answer:
Sir- Congratulations on owning a Johnson, with an interesting history. The bolt catch was not a popular feature and apparently it was added by Johnson to satisfy the Dutch, but in the field it was often discarded. Therefore I would not worry too much about that. .

I see rifles matching your description offered at a gun shows at prices usually in the $5,000-6,000 retail range depending on condition, but a few people asking more or less. Since they were used in small numbers by the U.S. Marine Corps, they are considered to be U.S. Martial weapons, although the vast majority on the market were actually used by the Dutch or Chile. Bruce Canfield’s superb book “Johnson Rifles and Machine Guns” is highly recommended for a detailed history of the guns, and their colorful inventor. Another great reference source is the Johnson Rifle site: http://johnsonautomatics.com/ John Spangler

# 14351 - Nazi Marked Spanish Mauser
6/23/2012
Dallas, Terre Haute, IN

Swastika on bolt I found a swastika on the bolt of this 7mm I have. It also says ''fabrica de Arms'' right in front of the bolt. What's this gun worth and more importantly, what's the history behind all this. Thanks

Answer:
Dallas, this sounds like a standard Mauser pattern rifle made for the Spanish Army. The 7mm caliber was a standard Mauser caliber adopted by the Spanish (and many South American countries with ties to Spain such as Chile). I'm not aware that the World War II German military purchased any 7 mm rifles from Spain. They did purchase some Spanish made Star and Astra pistols which were stamped with a Waffenamt inspectors markings. Marc

# 14328 - Japanese Used FN Pistol
6/19/2012
Carl, Uvalde, Texas

Brownings Patent Depose appears under the Fabrique National D`Armes de Guerre Herstal Belgique mfg statement. FN stamped inside an ellipse on the left side of the trigger guard. Large FN stamped on the grips and some other unknown markings that could be Japanese on the receiver and slide. Also unknown marking on the right side of trigger guard. My father brought this pistol home from the Pacific after WWII, along with some other Japanese military pistols, notably a noncom pistol and an officers pistol. Since it was clearly mfg by the FN can you provide any info on its use by the Japanese as an issued side arm, or was it's presence merely coincidental in the Pacific part of the war. Since my dad is deceased, unfortunately I have no info on its capture i.e. personally by dad or did he acquire it some other way. Also can you please confirm the caliber and model? As a Marine Corps Officer, Vietnam Vet, I am belatedly trying to discover as much of my dad's WWII trophy info as I can. Monetary value is not important as the item is to be passed on as part of my father's legacy in service to our country. I appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks.

Answer:
Carl, thanks for your service and thanks for sending in your question. Your FN pistol was probably privately purchased by a Japanese officer. The Officers Union is where most of the Japanese officers equipment was purchased. While I was doing some research on Baby Nambu pistols, I discovered that listed prices at the Officers Union for Colt M1903 pistols or FN M1910 pistols was 100 yen, while the domestically produced Baby Nambu was listed at 180 yen. Many officers purchased the foreign made Colt or FN pistols because they were less expensive and more reliable.

Sorry but without seeing your pistol, I can not help with identification of the model or caliber. I suggest that you take it to a local gunsmith, who has experience with older firearms. Hope this helps. Marc.

# 14349 - U.S. Model 1896 Springfield Armory Krag Rifle
6/19/2012
Joann Terre Haute, IN.

Woodstock in good condition, no chips, only a few scratches, barrel has few pit marks. It's basically in great condition, if it is 100 yrs old or better. Also the site markings, looks like it could shoot 600 yards or better. I am not sure if the model number (1896) is the year it was made? If so, how much is this rifle worth, and any history? Also I have a box of 20 caliber .30 Ball Cartridges with the date: Jan21, 1918 stamped on it, from The Remington Arms Union Metallic Cartridge Company Ammunition and Firearms UMC Bridgeport Works, Bridgeport Conn. USA. Along with some Japanese rifles from WWII and other cartridge boxes, such as Nitro express and model for 1898 rifle, just curious on the value of above mentioned items. Thank you.

Answer:
Joann- Your rifle is a Model 1896 usually called a “Krag” or Krag- Jorgensen” after the Scandinavian inventors. The 30 inch barrel indicates this is the standard infantry model rifle. The stock should go to within about 4 inches of the muzzle, but these often had the stocks cut back for use as sporters. (They made good cheap deer rifles back in the day, but destroyed much of the collector value for now.) .

These were used in the Spanish American War of 1898 by both regular troops and some volunteer troops, although many of the latter were stuck with old smoke-belching .45-70 caliber trapdoor rifles. There is no history on this specific number. Value depends on condition, but an average Model 1896 Krag rifle in unaltered condition is usually found at gun shows priced around $500-900 or so. .

I would really need to see photos of the ammunition before guessing at values on those. John Spangler

# 14347 - Rusty Remington Value
6/16/2012
Bernard, Gainesville, Fl.

On the top of the barrel it is engraved ''Patented Sept. 14 1858 E. Remington & sons Ilion New York U.S.A.'' What is this revolver worth?

Answer:
Bernard- It is hard to tell what you have, and there are no factory Remington revolvers that were made with 12 inch barrels as far as I know. So, we do not really know what it is, but in “rusty” condition I suspect the value will be pretty low, unless this is some sort of incredible factory rarity. Some photos would really help, but you would need to send those separately. Go Gators! John Spangler

# 14323 - 1895 Winchester Value
6/16/2012
Dwight, Hendley, NE

What is a fair value so I can treat my kids fair in dividing up my guns?

Answer:
Dwight, the Model 1895 Winchester was Browning's first design to incorporate a box magazine . Winchester produced over 425,00 model 1895's between 1896 and 1931. Your Model 95 was manufactured in 1916. Pricing for collectible Winchesters can be complex. Values can vary greatly depending condition, provenance (if any), originality and special features. A quick and dirty price range would be $600 to over $5000. If your Winchester is really Parkerized as you indicated in your question, the finish is not original and value will be in the $600 or less range. To get an accurate estimate, you should have an expert examine the rifle in person. Try taking the rifle it to a gunshow and ask 3 or 4 different dealers who have similar merchandise for sale on their tables what they think. Marc

# 14322 - Rare Ithaca 37
6/12/2012
Glenn, Brisbane ,Qld., Australia

US stamped on right side receiver.S16237 stamped on barrel and receiver. P stamped on top of barrel and receiver. Hi this model 37 came to Aust.1995 with a lot of others from Vietnam. In 1997 the Aust. govt. destroyed, who knows how many. This example has factory sling swivels at end of 5 shot magazine. I think it is blued. Still very shootable, no dings, no rust. Stock has small cracks at the receiver. Could this be a collectable 37? Thanks for your time. Glenn Thompson

Answer:
Glenn, according to Bruce Canfield's book combat shotguns, the U.S. purchased 22,000 Model 37 Ithaca shotguns for the Vietnamese forces. They were all said to be in standard riot gun configuration with Parkerized finish. The butt plate was black plastic with Ithaca's name on it. Your gun is in the range of known shotguns with U.S. markings. Very few came back into the U.S. from Vietnam. The current Blue Book of Gun Values lists a 98% finish gun in riot configuration at $2500. If in trench gun configuration with the correct hand guard the value is $6000. From your description it sound as if you picked up a rather rare gun. Marc

# 14343 - Oddball Markings Mean….?
6/12/2012
Brad, New Lenox, IL

0,0.5 gr N.C.P. M/71. 1gr ''5'' or ''S'' l I have this very old gun and my family and I do not know much about it. We have asked several people about it and nobody can ever seem to figure out the make, model, year it was produced.. Etc. I was wondering if there is anyway of finding out about the gun solely by those few markings

Answer:
Brad- Sorry, I cannot help on that one. The M/71 sounds vaguely German to me, but that is strictly a guess. We would need photos on this one. John Spangler

# 14341 - Trapdoor Springfield Confusion
6/9/2012
Mickey white Cameron tx

When was it made and why 50 caliber n is there any record where it was issued

Answer:
Mickey- I am having a hard time figuring out what you have. You say it is .50 caliber, which would make it prior to 1873, and it has a serial number, so that would make it a Model 1868, not a Model 1870 if it is .50 caliber. However, the Model 1868s were finished bright, not blued, and did not say 1873 anywhere. Later .45-70 locks were marked (at least on the early guns) with an 1873, and the breechblocks as well (although it looks like 1878) until 1884. This could be a parts gun with bits and pieces from early and later .50 and .45 caliber guns, but it did not leave Springfield in its present configuration. .

If the serial number is marked twice on the left side of the barrel and the receiver, then it is the Model 1868 and someone must have blued it. The locks are normally dated 1863 or 1864 on these. .

If the serial number is across the top of the receiver at the very back, then it is a Model 1873 receiver. If the latter, it should be .45 caliber, unless someone replaced the original barrel with a .50 caliber barrel from someplace. .

I am going to guess it is actually a Model 1868 rifle, and in that case Is no history at all available on that number, and not even any nearby numbers have been found to give grounds for speculation. John Spangler

# 14327 - H&R Shotgun Info.
6/9/2012
Melisha, Hartselle, AL

On side above trigger, it says Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. Worchester, MASS USA Pat. Feb. 27. 1900. The hinge pin is not movable. On top of this area it says 12 GA. Choke. This gun was passed down over the last 75 years within my family, and I was wondering what year it was made, and a possible value with it being in good to excellent condition. There are a few dings in the stock, but it's perfect other than that. PS- I love your website...thanks for all of your info!!

Answer:
Melisha, thanks for visiting our site and thanks for your kind words. Our main focus at FineOldGuns.com (OldGuns.net) is military firearms so I can not be allot of help. I can tell you that values for most H&R firearms are usually modest. I have some information on H&R serial numbers but it only covers numbers with A - BC prefixes. The best place to obtain an answer to your question is one of the gun forums. Try the following links:

http://www.gunvaluesboard.com/
http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/index.php
http://www.m1903.com/ (For US 1903 & 1903A3 Military Rifles)"""
http://www.winchestercollector.org/ (For Winchester Firearms)
http://www.jouster.com/
http://forums.gunboards.com/

Good Luck,
Marc

# 14331 - Pic Decatur
6/5/2012
Daniel, Jonesville, NC

The markings on it has pic-decatur-Georgia Japan I would like to know how much and any thing else I can fine out I just got this long gun

Answer:
Daniel - long gun? Not sure what you mean, 4 & 5/8 inches does not seem that long to me. If memory serves me correctly, Pic Decatur imported all sorts of inexpensive firearms from overseas (Japan, Germany, Italy etc.) Most were junky Saturday night special types so if you intend to fire this weapon it would be wise to have it checked out by a gunsmith first.

# 14339 - Marlin 336 Rifle Production Information
6/5/2012
Steve, Tacoma, WA

none (waffle top) This is a first-year 35 Rem 336A according to my research. How early in the series is it? I'm guessing there weren't many 336A`s in .35 the first year -SC- if this is the first or second one I might want to stop shooting it. Any records to tell if it is?

Answer:
Steve- Unfortunately, Marlins are an area we never had much interest in, so we really cannot help at all with this one. .

There is a Marlin Collectors Association, and I think they have a forum on their website where you can probably find someone who knows the answers to your questions. John Spangler

# 14338 - Whitneyville Armory .44 Caliber Rifle
6/2/2012
Darryl, Boyd, TX

This is a rifle I inherited, and am interested in shooting. The collectors value has been reduced, as there is a second dovetail cut into the top of the barrel (octagon), just forward of the original dovetail, and the loading door cover appears to be missing. Bore looks surprisingly good -SC- light pitting, but very clear rifling. Is this .44 Special, .44 Colt, or 44-40, or something else I have never heard of? Is it safest to use black powder loads in this, or just a reduced smokeless load, say with 748 or such? Best to use cast lead or jacketed, flat-point? What diameter? It has patent marks for both 1873 and 1879, if that helps date it.

Answer:
Darryl- Whitneyville Armory was a location (near New Haven, CT) used by the Whitney Arms Company, the descendent of old Eli “cotton gin” Whitney’s arms making business. Initially I was confused about what model rifle you had, but the two patent dates and mention of the loading cover pretty well pins it down to the Whitney Kennedy lever action repeating rifle. About 15,000 of those were made circa 1879-1886. The larger frame size was offered in .40-60, .45-65, .45-75 and .50- 90 calibers. The smaller frame size was offered in .32-20, .38-40 and .44-40 calibers. Therefore I am pretty sure yours was made for the .44-40 cartridge also known as the .44 Winchester Center Fire (.44 WCF). They were offered with all sorts of optional features, so it is hard to tell what is standard and what was special. .

As far as shooting, I am not qualified to recommend any sort of loads, or even guess if your rifle is safe to shoot at all. Probably the best advice is: “Are you feeling lucky?” If I were crazy enough to try shooting it, I would look for some “cowboy action“ loads which are fairly tame and see if there is any damage after the smoke clears. John Spangler

# 14330 - WWII Sauer
6/2/2012
Joe, Metamora, Mich

SS on left side black plastic Grip. 2 White Eagle marks. I can't find any info on it yet. Is it collectible? Thank You.

Answer:
Joe, The Sauer Model 38 has a fixed barrel with coaxial recoil spring, the breach block is a separate component pinned into the slide. The Model 38 was unique in that it has and internal hammer which is linked to a de- cocking lever on the left side of the frame. If the hammer is cocked, pressing the de-cocking lever will allow the hammer to fall under control. If the hammer is down, downward pressure on the de- cocking lever will lift the hammer to full-cock. The lockwork is double-action and there is a magazine safety, and a chamber-loaded signal pin. Some very early model 38's and those made in 1944 and 1945 do not have a safety catch. Model 38 slides are marked 'JP Sauer & Sohn Cal 7,65' on the left, and `Patent' on the right. Model 38 grips carry the Sauer monogram (S&S). Model 38 magazine bases are stamped with the Sauer monogram and CAL. 7.65 (the Sauer monogram is omitted from magazines with a roll stamped floor plate). The military acceptance stamp (eagle over 37) is located on the upper left side of trigger guard. There is no military test proof. Commercial test proof (eagle over n) is located on the right side of the slide above the slide grip, on the right side of the frame below the slide grip, and on the right side of the barrel near the muzzle. Although this pistol was designated the model 38, its mass production did not commence until the late months of 1939. Sauer 38 serial numbers were initiated at approximately 260000 and terminated near 525000. Over 200,000 Model 38 pistols were procured for the German Military, Police, and NSDAP prior to April, l945 when the U.S. Army overran the Sauer factory. Because of the hammer-cocking lever, the Sauer 38 is one of the most advanced pistol designs ever to be mass-produced. The German designation for the weapon was Sauer Pistole Modell 38 Hahn Selbstspannung (Sauer Pistol Model 38 Hammer Selfcocking)

There is a collector market for these pistols and values can good early examples are in the $750 or more range. Let me know if you would like to sell. Marc