# 13628 - Fancy Beretta .25 Pistol
9/29/2009
Courtney

Gold plated slide, clip, slide lock latch and screws for the grips, with beautiful scroll work on both the stainless steel body and the gold slide also says made in ITALY on one side. I would like to market this piece and need more info if you can YEAR MADE ? APROX. VALUE? HOW TO MARKET IF POSS. AND IS THERE A MODLE FOR THIS PIECE??

Answer:
Courtney, your pistol looks like a Beretta Model 420 or 421. The models 420 and 421 were specially engraved and plated versions of the basic Beretta Model 418.

The Beretta Model 418 was a semi-automatic pistol chambered in .25 ACP caliber. It came with fixed sights and was similar to the earlier Beretta Model 318, but it had a loaded indicator and grip safety. The Beretta Model 418 was first introduced in 1937 and it stayed in production with minor modifications until 1961. Total Model 418 production was about 178,000 pistols. Early serial numbers can be recognized because they have no letter suffix, later numbers have an A, B, or C suffix. From an examination of the pictures that you sent me, I believe that your serial number is not 454210, it is 45421C. Since your serial number has a C suffix, the pistol was probably manufactured towards the end of production, probably in the late 1950s or early 1960s.

The blue book lists values for Model 418 pistols in the $120 to $275 range depending on condition. For models like yours that are plated and engraved, the blue book says to add 50 to 100 percent to the value, if the pistol is in 98 percent or better condition.

We may be able to help you sell, for more information about selling options, please take a look at the information that we have posted at the following URL: http://oldguns.net/selling.htm

Hope this helps, Marc

# 13478 - Special Order Winchester Model 94
9/29/2009
Mike Easton MD

Pistol Grip and checkered My gun is missing the butt plate. The screw pattern does not look correct for most of the shotgun style butt plates I have seen. Most have the top screw hole very close to the top of the stock. The top hole on mine is centered 9/16 down from the top of the stock and the holes are 3 and 1/8 measured center to center. My question is what type of plate would have been on this gun and could it possibly of had a factory recoil pad at the manufacture date of 1913? My wood appears to be all original.

Answer:
Mike- Sounds like a nice gun, and the special order pistol grip and checkering. That certainly suggests that some sort of special buttplate could have been used. I assume that you already got a "factory letter" from the Cody Firearms museum which should list any non-standard features. I don't know enough about the different types of buttplates used to figure out anything from the screw hole spacing, but some of the Winchester guys can probably help you out. I think the Winchester Arms Collectors Association has a forum on line and you might want to ask there. John Spangler

# 13473 - Massachusetts Arms Adams Revolvers
9/26/2009
Coleman, Ocean Isle Beach, NC

I have a nice Mass Arms -Adams revolver. I understand that only 1,000 were manufactured and approximately 600 were purchased by the Yankees. I have read that John Brown's organization purchased 200 revolvers from Mass Arms that were delivered in 1858. There is a reference that the Independent Baltimore Grays seized 200 revolvers from Brown and that Brown later refereed to the revolvers as navy like. Do you know if there are any museums/individuals that have any of these revolvers? Did the State of Va. purchase any of these revolvers prior to the war? Thanks for your assistance dearaiders@aol.com

Answer:
Coleman- You have already done a great job researching these, and know a heck of a lot more about these than we do. I regret we cannot add anything to what you have learned. John Spangler

# 13627 - Military 98 Action DOM?
9/26/2009
USA

left side rail barely readable ''de Guerre'' with the rest ground off- all other markings above wood line removed with only traces unreadable. Removing action from stock, underside of receiver has a small window stamp, square divided into 4 sections- also a capital letter ''A'' inside a circle in 2 places under receiver. On trigger guard is 4-leave clover or cross inside a circle on each side, also a capital ''D'' or ''0'' or O'' with a small portion missing. On bolt, under cocking piece, is stamped ''BM1'' or ''RM1''- I know this is definitely an FN made action, but want to know what year/era/vintage. It has left thumb notch and charger clip guides in receiver, but rear bridge is milled flat, no ''hump''. Bolt handle is bent down enough that stock required cutout notch for bolt, definitely not a milsurp bolt handle. Barrel is stamped ''Kodiak Arms, Connecticut, USA''. Action is ''C'' type with only one cutout channel in breech area. This is a late-1950's/early 1960's KODIAK rifle built on an FN Mauser 98 military type action, but what year is the action ?

Answer:
Thanks for the very thorough description that you sent. References indicate that Kodiak Mfg. Co. of North Haven, Connecticut, manufactured rifles on refurbished 1898- pattern Mauser actions from about 1959 to 1973. They also made some rifles under contract to Colt.

It sounds like you have a Model 98 Sporting Rifle, these were chambered in 243, 30-06 or 308 and came with a 20 or 24 inch barrel, and a five-round magazine. The Model 98 had a plain hardwood stock with a low Monte Carlo comb and impressed checkering on the pistol grip and forend sides.

I do not know of a way to determine what year your action was manufactured. You might try posting a question on one of the FN forums . Marc

# 13469 - Tower 1876 Snider Rifle
9/22/2009
Canada

This rifle is breech loading and marked Tower and has a Crown stamped it is dated 1876 it's in real good shape may be useable , overall length 55 inches and barrel 36- 37 inch, solid brass butt plate and brass tip hand grip I've had this gun for some time and wondering if it is a military rifle and if it has any value , I can't seem to find any info would appreciate any help you might offer. Thanks, Cal

Answer:
Cal- Canada used a number of Snider style rifles, ranging from carbines to short rifles to full length infantry rifles. Yours is one of the full length models. These basically used just the old .577 Enfield muzzle loader bullet and black powder load stuffed into a brass centerfire cartridge case. These were used from about 1867 until around 1890 by the Canadian regular forces and militia. There is some collector interest in these, mainly on the Canadian side of the border, and values seem to run in the several hundred dollar range. John Spangler

# 13626 - Gamba HSc
9/22/2009
Chris, Romeo, Mi.

Renato Gamba / Gibbs Rifle Co. When was it manufactured ?

Answer:
Chris, I have not been able to locate any serial number information on the HSc pistols that Gamba manufactures. The best that I can tell you is that they introduced the HSc around 1996 and that values for their pistols are in the $200 to $400 range depending on condition.

A quick Google search indicates that Renato Gamba has a Web site at http://renatogambausa.com/. The Gamba Web site may be a good place to start if you are looking for better information than I have been able to provide. Marc

# 13464 - Lazarino Flintlock
9/19/2009
Baerlocher - Switzerland

In our family we have a flintlock dragon on which we have the names of: VICENZO MARI and LAZARINO When cleaning I realized that when I take off one screw the gun can be divided into TWO pieces! Is that original made for easier transport ? Tks and best regards

Answer:
Baerlocher- That sounds like a really nice gun. there were several generations of the Lazarino family making guns in Italy, usually very nice quality. These sometimes incorporated custom features to satisfy a buyer's desires. I am not sure if yours was made as a "takedown" model or if this was an alteration by a later owner. John Spangler

# 13624 - Winchester-Savage Rifle?
9/19/2009
Nick Warren, R.I.

I would like to know the manufacture date of this rifle, and the present value of it. Thank you, Nick

Answer:
Nick, I do not think that Winchester and Savage ever collaborated on 99E manufacture. My guess is that you have a Savage model 99E Carbine with 308 "Winchester" caliber markings. I do not have any serial number information for this model, the best that I can tell you is that Savage manufactured the Model 99E Carbine, chambered in 308 Winchester from 1960 to around 1982. Values for Savage Model 99E Carbines in the blue book range from about $250 to over $500 depending on condition. Marc

# 13621 - Unusual Arminius Markings
9/15/2009
Remington Klein

Buffalo symbol above and behind trigger guard. I've been doing research to find the model my dad's old revolver was. I found the model, but there is a difference between what's online and what I have. All the Arminius revolvers have a centurion symbol by their trigger guard, yet mine (HW5 22lr) has a buffalo instead. I have not found any other revolvers with the symbol mine has. Any idea why?

Answer:
Remington, Arminius revolvers were marketed through many retail outfits, under many trade names in the 1950s and 1960s. Some of the names that I can remember for Arminius were Dickson, Herter, Kessler, Omega and Gecado My guess is that the markings on your revolver may indicate that it was sold through a different retailer than the ones that you found in your internet searches were. Marc

# 13676 - American 75mm M18 Shell-casing Trench Art
9/15/2009
Steven

Hello I was wondering if you could answer something for me. I own an American 75mm M18 shell- casing. Other markings on the bottom primer-cap are (in ink) AMM. LOT 22415-232-K.O.P Shot A.P. M72 (bb co 1942 just below) lot 22981/26(stamped) The primer itself is marked M1B1A1 1942 50424-15 and what looks like kop. Now the shell casing itself is -engraved all the way around in German- "Blood and Honor" , 3rd Totenkopf div, Waffen SS, a huge SS sig rune behind a large engraved SS soldier/his silhouette, "my honor is called faithfulness" This all appears to have been engraved with some sort of field tool. The casing appears to have never been polished it's very weathered and browned(white+green patina on the inside of the shell). Any idea of how in the world I can have this identified? To find out whom the seller was? To eventually find out whom may have engraved this? It's value also. I would send you a photo but my camera cradle is out right now. I'll try to get some images. Thanks for your time.

Answer:
Steven- The shell is from a U.S. 75mm gun such as those mounted in the U.S. M3 (Grant/Lee) and M4 (Sherman) tanks, and probably used a few other ways as well. Many of these weapons, with ammunition, were sent to our allies during WW2, including both England, and the Russians, but most were used by the U.S. forces.

That pretty much tells the story of what it was and how the brass shell casing got to where the Germans could get their hands on it.

I suspect it was a trophy captured (perhaps along with a tank-- with or without a crew) by the German Army unit carved on it.

If you want to get even, we are offering a German 88mm shell casing with American "trench art" inscriptions on it.

It is an interesting oddity and there are some serious collectors of trench art. We have no feel for values in that collecting niche. Hope that helps. John Spangler

# 13603 - Rifle Ident Help
9/12/2009
Robert Scottsdale AZ

It has 2 different numbers on it first it looks like 35587 is crossed out and G19980 are clear. And it has a 1916 G.R. SHI.LEIII on metal by the trigger. And some kind of numbers wit X's & letters Opposite side Of Barrel. on Stock a brass washer with a screw in the middle. What type of gun is it? When used, Make, Model? can you help

Answer:
Robert, you have the standard British rifle used from 1891 until early 1940, the Number 1, Mark III or a Mark III* if there is no provision for a magazine cut off. It was made in 1916. The letters on the right side of the buttstock are actually Sht LE and stand for "Short, Lee Enfield". The short refers to the barrel length, and differentiated the rifle from the long Lee Enfield rifle. The GR stands for the British king at the time, George the V. The GR is the Latin version of Georgius Rex or George, King.

Without a picture of the butt stock I'm not sure of the maker, but it was probably the Royal Arsenal at Enfield Lock. The brass disk in the buttstock was used to identify the unit to whom the rifle was assigned. If blank it has been replaced. The rifle was serial numbered on the right side of the receiver. The same number should appear on the barrel, (you have to pull the top rear handguard off to see it) the back of the bolt, the underside of the rear sight, and the nose cap. The rifle undoubtedly saw service in World War I, and also in World War II. Marc

# 13675 - J. Stevens A & T Co. Single Shot Rifle
9/12/2009

I have an old gun that my grandmother had. It's an J. Stevens A. & T. Co. Single shot 22. t was made in Chicopee Falls, Mass. Can you give me any information?

Answer:
Sir- Stevens made single shot .22s in a dozen or more models, ranging from inexpensive "boys rifles" up to fine quality target rifles.

The A&T (Arms & Tool) name was used from the mid 1880s until about 1916, so that narrows down the period. It most likely is one of the boys rifles, such as the 14 or 14 1/2 "Little Scout", or possibly the "Favorite" model. These are slightly smaller versions of a full size rifle. Stevens also made many "pocket rifles" which were basically pistols with or without shoulder stocks that could be attached.

Values for most are almost nothing in poor condition, to maybe $100-200 in average condition, to several times that for truly pristine examples, or much more for the higher quality guns made in small numbers. Hope that helps. John Spangler

# 13601 - Armi Tanfoglio Auction Acquisition
9/8/2009
Jim, Chicago, Il

My son and I just purchased a Armi Tanfoglio Giuseppe-Gardone GT-32 from an auction. Does anyone know the blue-book value of this gun? Is there an owners manual available anywhere for this gun?

Answer:
Jim, there is no collector interest in Armi Tanfoglio firearms so I do not pay much attention to them. Armi Tanfoglio is not listed in my blue book so I can't be of much help with blue book value. Fair market value is the price that an interested but not desperate buyer would be willing to pay and an interested but not desperate seller would be willing to accept on the open market assuming a reasonable period of time for an agreement to arise, but I think that anything over $150 to $200 is too much. Hope that you did not get a case of auction fever and pay too high a price.

I did a quick Google search on Armi Tanfoglio and came up with the unofficial Tanfoglio website, located at the following URL:

http://hem.passagen.se/vectra/katalog.htm

The Tanfoglio site may be a good place to start in your search for an owners manual. Marc

# 13674 - Colt Navy With Civil War History In The Family
9/8/2009
Jim

I recently inherited the "Ratcliffe" Colt M 1851 “Navy” revolver carried by Aaron L. Ratcliff during the civil war. Its been passed down over the years and now its mine. Serial number is 177664. I have checked the SN as late '64 or early '65 but need the manufactured date to place it with Grandpa Aaron. He was in the 8th Regiment, CO C Iowa volunteer cavalry from 1863-65 enlisting in Davenport, IA in 1863 and discharged in 1865 in Macon, GA. I have copies of his military record and hope you can help me determine if this Colt was shipped to the Federal Army Quartermaster Corps or where it was originally shipped.

If you are unable to help, do you recommend the Colt letter of history from the Colt archives? Thanks for your help.

Answer:
Jim- My data only shows that number as being made in 1864.

Colt "Factory letters" are very expensive (I think at least $150 for any percussion gun) and some records were destroyed in an 1864 fire at the factory, so I am not sure you can get a letter from them for this number. If they CAN provide a letter for this number, it most likely will only show something like "Shipped to the Ordnance Officer, New York Arsenal, [date] as one of a shipment of 500."

Beyond that there is no surviving documentation you are likely to find. Scholars have dug diligently through records in the National Archives for decades looking for serial numbers, but finding only a small percentage.

Numbers were located by Frank Mallory of the Springfield Research Service for about 2,100 Model 1851 Navy revolvers, including some for the 1st Iowa Vol. Cav, and a few for the 3rd, but nothing from the 8th. Usually these are found in Company Record books, not all of which survived, even from within the same Regiment, and some (possibly the case for the 8th) have no such records surviving.

One indication may be in the pay account for your ancestor, as the practice was to deduct the cost of any arms they wanted to keep from their final pay. Hope that helps. John Spangler

# 13672 - Rare Remington .22 Sportsmaster
9/5/2009

I was trying to find the SN on an old Remington .22 that was my dads when he was a kid. I found the code, and it is July of 1943. Then I called Remington for a owners manual, and when I received the manual, there was a form, from Remington stapled to the manual. the form listed all the dates that the rifle was made, and how many were made per year, and when they began SN.

Now if I am reading this form correctly there was only 4 Remington Sportsmaaster model 512, in .22 short, long, or long rifle made in 1943 due to the war and restrictions on metal. only 3 made in 1944. so I have 1 of 4 rifles made in 1943, or so it would appear. any comment or direction to find a value would be appreciated.

Answer:
Sir- While the low production figure is interesting, I have not noted any indication that collectors place a premium value to the small number of rifles made during the war years. The 500 series rifles are sort of marginally collectable to start with, and values tend to be in the few hundred dollar range at most for a like new example, and more like $100 for a well used one. Perhaps you could get a $25-50 premium for the 1943 date, but probably only from a handful of very advanced collectors who might care. Hope that helps. John Spangler

# 13595 - Herters 30-06
9/5/2009
Clarke, Palatine, Illinois

This is my grandfather's gun, bought from Herters in Waseca, Mn. The gun has very few markings on it other than the model# and that it was made in England. Would like to know who made the weapon, how is the quality and aprox value for insurance purposes. There have been less that a box of shells fired in this rifle. Thank you

Answer:
Clarke, Herters operated out of Waseca, Minnesota circa 1960-1979. They offered an incredible variety of guns, reloading gear, and hunting and fishing stuff. Most was pretty good quality, and it was sold at pretty reasonable prices, accompanied by hyperbolic advertising touting everything as ``World’s best, new and improved, ancient secret formulas``, and the like. Their rifles seem to have been made in England or Yugoslavia, and are reportedly good, reliable guns. Although my partner John thinks that Herters stuff would be a great collecting niche, their firearms have no collector interest. Value for your rifle is about what a comparable J.C. Higgins or Revelation rifle would sell for. My guess is in the $300 or less range. Marc

# 13658 - Parts For An Old .22
9/1/2009
Charles Patagonia Arizona

Hello I Have a New England Arms , Springfield Mass. .22 Rifle Lone Ranger Model, This is The Old New England Arms Co. Not the Currant New One ! I Need The Bolt for This Rifle ! Do You Know Who Made This Rifle For Them, Or Where I Can Get a Bolt Thank You

Answer:
Charles to judge by your liberal use of exclamation points, you seem to be really excited about this old 22. New England Arms Co. is a trade name used by Charles J. Godfrey of New York City, and also by Rohde, Spencer Company of Chicago, Illinois, circa 1900. We do not have the parts that you need. I recommend you check with Gun Parts Corp (the old Numrich Arms people) at:

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: http://oldguns.net/submitwn.htm. Good luck. Marc

# 13673 - WW2 Pistol Cartridge Case Found In England
9/1/2009
Ged

I am trying to find out some information about part of a cartridge case. It was found at Portland Bill, Dorset, England. We know that the Americans were stationed there during the second world war. It has the lettering W.R.A. CO. 45 A.C marked on its base. However I can not find any rifles that would use this round or type of ammunition this was. I hope you will be able to help. Thank you

Answer:
Ged- Your case is probably about 1/2" diameter by 1" long. That is the .45 Automatic Colt Pistol case, which was the ammunition used in the Model 1911 Colt ".45 automatic" and also with the Thompson submachine guns.

Relatively little of the U.S. military .45 ACP ammunition had that headstamp, which was used by Winchester for their commercial loads. (Normal U.S. military practice was just the initials of the maker and the date such as WRA 41). However, much of this ammunition was provided to the UK during WW2 for use in the many Thompson submachine guns provided as "Lend Lease" material. Hope that helps. John Spangler