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16089  - Albini - Braendlin 11mm Breech Loading Rifle Used By Japan
10/22/2019
david fairmont WV

Maker: Albini.Breandlin Of Belgium, Model: 1868 Stamp On Side Plate, Caliber: 11 M M, Barrel Length: 30 And Half Inches, Finish: Other, SN: NONE

Markings:
English stamp marks Japanese stamp marks 17 stamp on most of the screws

Question:
is the rifle worth anything

 Answer:
David- Yes, your rifle is worth something. The Albini-Braendlin rifle is one of many early breechloading rifle designs applied to obsolete muzzle loaders. Albini was an Italian navy officer who invented the basic design, and Braendlin was an English gunsmith who made it practical. The early rifles were made by converting .577 Enfield muskets and later guns were made from scratch (I think). They were mainly used by Belgium, but also by the Belgian Congo, Italy, the Portuguese colony Macao, and Russia and also some by Japan.

The basic concept is similar to a trapdoor .45-70 Springfield with a hinged breech block. However, these secure the block in the closed position with a rod connected to the nose of the hammer which slides into the rear of the block, locking it and hitting a firing pin in the forward part of the block. There are several models and value will vary a bit with exact model and which nation(s) used it. Japanese use is good, as that provides an excuse for a collector of Japanese rifles to add it to their collection. Value will depend heavily on condition but I would think maybe in the $500-900 range if not altered or refinished. Maybe more if especially nice. Hope that helps. John Spangler



16114  - I Am Sorry But You Must Be Mistaken!
10/22/2019
Perry, cottonwood, az.

Maker: S&W, Model: 1st Mod @nd Type, Caliber: 32 Rimfire, Barrel Length: 3 1/2, Finish: Rusty, SN: 954

Markings:
It has no trigger. every thing else seems to be there.

Question:
I researched with your great book. I would like to know the approximate value and do you know anyone who might like to buy it?

 Answer:
Perry, you must have mistaken us for someone else, neither John or I have authored any books. This is not the kind of firearm that we normally deal in so for value and selling your S&W, I suggest you try Gun Broker. Marc



16082  - Remington Armory Rifle
10/19/2019
Helene, Joplin, MO

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

Question:
Hello, We have a bit of a mystery gun we were hoping you could help us identify. The barrel says Remington Armory 1918. Although worn down, that part we could read. We were told it is a Remington Mosin Nagant 91/30. But, the very end of the but has a plastic piece that says Winchester Repeating Arms Co. The shape of the but and trigger very much looks like the Winchester Model 70. Please share your thoughts on how this hybrid came to be, and before The Winchester parts came what you think the Remington Armory 1918 story might be. As in, is it possible it saw military action ever? Thank you very much.

 Answer:
Helene- ``REMINGTON ARMORY`` is not a term used by Remington on any of their guns except for the Model 1891 Mosin Nagant rifles made under Russian contract during WW1. Of course, shortly after the ``red`` Russian communists took power in October 1917 they repudiated the Czarist contracts and Remington was stuck with a ton of Mosin Nagant rifles. The U.S. government bought them, mainly to keep Remington solvent to continue work on arms for the U.S. Army. Some of these rifles were issued to (very unhappy) U.S. troops sent to fight in the Russian civil war at the end of WW1, and some were used during WW1 for training in the U.S. or guards, etc. Huge numbers were sold off as surplus at the end of WW1, some to NRA members. Some were converted to other calibers, including to .30-06 which most people consider to be unsafe to shoot.

Your buttplate clearly came off a Winchester rifle or shotgun, but when and why is a mystery.

The Mosin Nagant is a pretty ugly rifle, and even with home gunsmithing lipstick it still will look like a pig. Take a look at photos of Mosin Nagant rifles, such as those at http://www.russian-mosin-nagant.com/russia_m1891/index.html and see if the metal parts of your rifle look like that. If so, then you have a Mosin Nagant rifle which may have been altered some. If your metal parts look way different, then possibly someone took a Remington made Mosin Nagant barrel and put it on another rifle for some reason; perhaps a Winchester, or maybe some other maker. Hope that helps. John Spangler



16116  - More Commemoratives
10/19/2019
Scott

Maker: Winchester ( Golden Spike ), Model: Golden Spike, Caliber: 22, Barrel Length: 5 In, Finish: Other, SN: 747GS

Question:
Golden spike would like to know how much is worth and willing to sell also have the 3030 Winchester Golden Spike rifle wondering how much it would be also.

 Answer:
Hello Scott, I do not care much for commemoratives and do not follow their prices. Suggest that you check the prices that comparable rifles are selling for (the actual sales prices not the asking prices which are often unrealistic ) on Gun Broker, here is their URL: https://www.gunbroker.com

Good luck - Marc



16081  - Lee Enfield No. 1 Mark III History
10/15/2019
USA

Maker: Lee Enfield, Model: MK3, Caliber: .303 British, Barrel Length: Unknown, Finish: Blue, SN: ?

Question:
Was the Lee Enfield MK 3 available for commercial sale in 1917. My rifle was made in 1917 and I`m trying to find out if it was possible to have been in world war 1?

 Answer:
Sir- In 1917 Britain was in the middle of WW1 taking thousands of casualties (even tens of thousands in a single day) and losing immense quantities of arms and equipment in the meat grinder of trench warfare. Every bit of arms manufacture capacity was devoted to military arms production, including ``peddled scheme`` rifles were numerous makers each provided one or two specific parts and a few from government arsenals and then assembled in a separate facility.

I am sure your rifle was used in WW1. You really need to do some reading and review of photos from the front, which will help explain why your rifle is not shiny brand new looking. John Spangler



16119  - S&W Victory Information
10/15/2019
Randy, Miami, Florida

Maker: S&W, Model: VICTORY, Caliber: 38 S&W Special, Barrel Length: 4'', Finish: Parkerized, SN: V269978

Markings:
UNITED STATES PROPERTY GHD

Question:
Do you know the approximate date of manufacture of this Victory model?

 Answer:
Randy, in 1940 the British Government contracted with Smith and Wesson for a large order of their very successful Military and Police model revolver. Rather than the standard 38 Special caliber the British specified the caliber was to be 38 Smith and Wesson, shorter, less powerful cartridge, and the barrel was to be 5 inches long. When the U.S. entered the war our government asked for deliveries of the same revolver, in both 38 Special and 38 S&W caliber. The pistol was renamed the ``Victory`` model, and the finish changed from polished bluing to the phosphated finish which is called Parkerizing. The letter V was added to the serial number of all Victory revolvers.

Revolvers made before 12/04/41 have a bright blue finish. Revolvers made form 12/04/41 to 04/10/42 have a brushed blue finish. Revolvers made after 04/10/42 are parkerized. Victory model production ended 8/27/45 at serial number VS811,119.



16117  - Model 94 Big Bore XTR Date Of Manufacture
10/12/2019
Roger, Beaufort, SC

Maker: Winchester, Model: Model 94 Big Bore XTR, Caliber: .375 Win, Barrel Length: 24, Finish: Blue, SN: BB018331

Question:
Want to know when this rifle was mfg. All sites that search serial numbers won`t take the BB prefix and when I put in just the numbers it shows a fog date of 1886 and I know it`s not that old

 Answer:

Roger Winchester Big Bore Model 94 rifles were introduced in 1983, the model came with an angled ejection port to provide better compatibility with scope mounting, checkered walnut Monte Carlo stock with recoil pad, 20 inch barrel, 6 shot magazine and factory sling swivels. Weight was 6.5 lbs.

Rifles were chambered in the following calibers:

  • .307 Win. (disc. 1998)
  • .356 Win. (disc. 1998)
  • .375 Win. (disc. 1987)
  • .444 Marlin (new 1998)

Hope that this helps. Marc



16078  - Universal M1 Carbine
10/12/2019
Beth, Blackburn, OK, USA

Maker: Universal M1 Carbine, Model: ?, Caliber: 30, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 14319

Question:
I would like to know if this is a first gen. Approximate year made. Buying it for my son.

 Answer:
Beth- ``First generation`` is not a term usually used discussing M1 carbines, so I think you want to know if this is a military made gun, or one of the commercial copies. There is a great site with everything you want to know about M1 Carbines at http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/carbines.html. That page lists all the makers, and clicking on the link for Universal will open up a ton of info on that maker.

Basically, Universals are all commercial copies, initially made pretty much to GI specifications with mostly surplus and some commercial parts circa 1962-66, but in 1967 they redesigned the guns. The resulting unique slide design was a disaster. Frankly, I would not recommend buying any of the later Universals (above serial number 100,000). Your serial number is from the time when they were using all military style parts and should be okay. Anyone considering one of the later guns would probably be much happier with one of the military made carbines which will cost a bit more, but retain its value much better. John Spangler



16075  - Mauser 98 Rifle Quality
10/8/2019
David, University Park, Md

Maker: FN, Model: Venezuelan 24/30 Mauser, Caliber: 7X57, Barrel Length: 23'', Finish: Blue, SN: 37553

Question:
Is there an expert consensus as to quality of manufacture of different makers of 98 style rifles? Considering regular production items, how do you rank them? A quick look on the web for manufacturers shows, in Germany and elsewhere, Mauser, DWM- Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, Haenel, Sauer & Sohn, Waffenwerke Oberspree, V. Chr. Schilling Co., Simson, Imperial Arsenals of Amberg, Danzig, Erfurt, Leipzig, and Spandau. Belgium--Fabrique Nationale, Czechoslovakia (Brno, others?), Serbia, China, Austria—Steyr, Mexico?, Brazil?, Are there others?

 Answer:
David- I don`t know if there is an ``expert consensus`` but you are welcome to my opinion, which is worth what you are paying for it.

Model 1898 Mausers were mostly built to the same dimensional tolerances, often with machinery supplied from the same sources used by DWM. Steel quality was pretty good across the board. The quality differences are probably more in fit and finish details than basic functional performance. All of the German makers were uniformly excellent, along with FN in Belgium. CZ in Czechoslovakia, Steyr in Austria and DGFMAP in Argentina were probably just as good, with Brazil only slightly below them. I have a very low opinion of all of the Turkish made or used arms, and the Chinese made or used Mausers as well. Materials, manufacture and abuse by conscript soldiers make most of these pretty ratty and I would never shoot any of them, although they are collectible in their own right. Mexican Mausers are probably a step above Turks and Chinese.

Note that these opinions are for peacetime or early war production, as ``last ditch`` rifles suffered greatly in quality.

The best study on all of these would be Robert Ball`s ``Mauser Military Rifles of the World`` with the 5th edition a bit better than earlier ones. From there you will be able to get a complete list of all makers, although many countries just bought rifles from FN, CZ or DWM with their own crests applied. John Spangler



16115  - Golden Spike Commemorative
10/8/2019
Jeffery

Maker: Winchester, Model: Golden Spike Commemorative, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: GS51141

Question:
Could you give me an idea what this gun is worth?

 Answer:
Jeffery - I have never liked commemoratives much, but anyone with one is wise not to fire it and to save the box and original papers. For a commemorative to have any value over a regular model, it must be in 100% new condition, never have been fired, and have it`s original box and papers. If you do not have the original box and papers you can deduct $100 to $150 from the value. If a commemorative has been fired or shows any signs of wear, it is just a ``fancy shooter``, worth little more (or maybe even less) than the same model that is not a commemorative. I would advise you to check and carefully clean and oil your commemorative periodically. I know someone who bought a new commemorative and left it for years in its original box without ever looking at it. When the box was opened, he found that the gun had acquired a fine coating of rust. Never cock or dry fire a commemorative. For price, try checking comparable guns on Gun Broker. Marc



16074  - Marlin 1893 Rifle ``Special Smokeless Steel``?
10/5/2019
Dennis Wassila Alaska USA

Maker: Marlin, Model: 1893, Caliber: .32-40, Barrel Length: 26'', Finish: Blue, SN: 147836

Question:
Gun mfg. 1897. Has no ''special steel'' marking. Is it a black powder gun or had Marlin ceased rolling the ''special steel'' on their rifles by 1897?

 Answer:
Dennis- As far as I know, Marlin introduced ``Special Smokeless Steel`` for the Model 1893 sometime around late 1895. The .32-40 was a venerable old black powder cartridge suitable for both target shooting as well as hunting use. There was not any need for the ``smokeless`` steel which was only really necessary for the new smokeless powder cartridge being introduced in the 1890s, like the .30-30 Winchester. I am not sure when Marlin might have dropped the ``smokeless`` marking, but suspect it was continued as a selling feature for many years, possibly even after all barrels were made from it, rather than just a few. William S. Browphy`s ``Marlin Firearms`` book is your best source of definitive info on all things relating to Marlin. John Spangler



16110  - RTS Revolver
10/5/2019
Johnson

Maker: RTS, Model: 22, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
I have a old 1950-60 Vintage I want to sell that shoots 22 Caliber bullet .

 Answer:
This looks like it may be some sort of starter pistol, a quick internet search on ``RTS Revolvers`` comes up with allot of information about starter pistols and blank guns. We admit total ignorance on starter guns or other guns that fire blanks. Value depends on the needs of the buyer. I wouldn`t give you a dollar for a box full of them. A track and field referee who forgot one may be willing to pay a lot for one. My guess is that you are probably looking at $25 or less for this item. Marc



16072  - Rimfire Cartridge Headstamp `` A ``
10/1/2019
John

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

Question:
I dug up a case at an old home site. Looks to be a .32, short. It is a rim-fire with a head stamp ``A``. I have had no luck finding it anywhere.

 Answer:
John- It was probably made by American Metallic Cartridge Co., South Coventry, CT.

The best headstamp list is on the International Ammunition Association site, http://cartridgecollectors.org/?page=headstampcodes

Hope that helps. John Spangler



16111  - S&W Manufacture Date
10/1/2019


Maker: S&W, Model: ?, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: C 61829

Question:
Just inherited a 38 special serial number c 61829. Can you date this for me?

 Answer:
Here is a list of serial numbers from The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Jim Supica & Richard Nah

C Serial Prefix: approximate manufactured dates
Models: 10, 11, 12, 45, Aircrewman, and their pre-model variations

1948 C 1-C223998
1952 C223999-C226oo3
1953 C236004-C261483 andC226004-C277554
1954-56 C277555-C314031 and C277555 C402923
1957-59 C402924-C405018 and C402924 C429740
1960 C429741-C474148
1961-62 C474149-C622699
1963-65 C622700-C810532
1966-67 C810533-C999999
19671ast # C999999

Hope that this helps. Marc