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16885 - First Generation SAA
9/26/2026
Bret

Maker: Colt, Model: First Generation SAA, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: 137568

Question:
I have a first generation SAA, s/n 137568. It`s also 7.5 inch US Cavalry issue. A collector from Austin came to Oregon in 1948 to try and buy from my grandfather, but he wouldn`t sell it. He had all the information on it, but nobody wrote it down. On the bottom of the grip and on the holster the initials AJJ are stamped in. My grandmother gave it to me 27 years ago, after my grandfather died. I have photos.

Answer:
Regarding your Colt SAA 137568, we have no specific information on the history of this gun, and it is not listed in the Springfield Research Service database of SAA revolvers found to be documented in records in the National Archives regarding use by a specific unit. Colt can provide a letter with date of manufacture for a fee, but people already know the general dates of production on these and their deliver to the Army, although their subsequent issue remains a mystery in most cases. There is good demand for SAA revolvers in original cavalry configuration, but sadly many have been tinkered with over the years and are worth far less than unaltered examples.

John Kopec was the acknowledge expert on these and he provided authentication letters (for a fee) which greatly increase collector confidence in what has (or has not) been done to a specific gun. He died recently, and I do not know if anyone has the skill to take over that task.

We are not specialists in SAA revolvers, so cannot really help much with authenticity or value.

I am sure lots of collectors would be interested in this if they knew about it, but an eager buyer 75+ years ago is a neat story, but pretty much unrelated to what it might sell for today. A lot of what collectors ``knew`` 75 years ago has been overtaken by far better research and books done since then.

If selling, I would recommend one of the reputable large firearms auction houses who will get fair market value for it, and send you the proceeds after deducting all their fees and commissions. Some of the places I would trust include (in no specific order) Amoskeag, Poulin, Carol Watson, Reata Pass, or Lock Stock and Barrel (LSB). Their policies and fees vary.

Hope that helps.

John Spangler

16884 - Remington 1100 Date
9/19/2026

Maker: Remington, Model: 1100, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
Good Afternoon, I`m looking @ possibly purchasing this Remington 1100 & am having trouble determining the date & year of Mfg. If you could help it would mean a lot @ this point. The serial number on the receiver is as follows M981170M. The left side of the barrel has these SN`s on it. ( first symbol looks like an arrowhead then 3, WO, J. Right side of barrel (REP) 6 with what appears to be a Star above the REP. Then to the far right is the letter D.

Answer:
The barrel date code ``W O`` on the left side indicates manufacture in

August 1977 or August 1994.

I do not know of any way to match Remington dates from serial numbers.

John Spangler

16883 - Winchester 1885 In .218 Bee Improved
9/5/2026
Bill

Maker: Winchester, Model: 1885, Caliber: .218 Bee Improved, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
I have the above noted gun the I inherited from my father and I`m trying determine it`s date of manufacture. The Winchester Arms Collectors Association shows it was made in 1913, your site shows 1919 but the .218 Bee wasn`t introduced until 1937. It`s a high-wall model and the stock and forestock don`t look like any other model I`ve found online. The stock has a check piece and the forestock is larger and heavier like you`d find on a target or varmint rifle.

Answer:
Bill - the WACA date of 1913 is correct, but it was not originally made in .218 Bee.

Many M1885 WInchesters were converted from their original calibers to more modern and popular calibers in the 1930s-1960s. This often involved replacing the barrels and/or stocks to to something currently fashionable. This made the owner happy, but pretty much destroyed the value to collectors.

We focus on the collector end of the market and do not get into the ``shooter`` items, so we would not be interested in purchasing, and have no feel for value.

You might check on GunBroker.com under advanced search, completed sales and search for ``.218`` and see if any similar guns have sold recently. Make sure they were actual sales, not just listings with 0 bids.

Hope that helps. John Spangler

16882 - Remington Model 107 22 Mag Bolt Action Rifle
9/1/2026
Robert

Maker: Remington, Model: 107, Caliber: 22 Mag, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
Would you have one for sale and how much?

Answer:
Robert- I had never heard of a Remington Model 107, so I did some checking and there is no such thing. However, there is a ``Revelation Model 107`` (or 107A) which is a .22 Mag bolt action rifle and I think that is what you are looking for. Revelation is a store brand name used by (I think) Montgomery Ward, but the gun was actually made by Mossberg and is basically the Model 640K with a few cosmetic differences.

Hope that helps.

John Spangler

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