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16181  - PIC 25
1/18/2020
Alton Katy, Texas

Maker: PIC On Left Plastic Handle, Model: Auto Sat Nite Special, Caliber: 25 Cal, Barrel Length: 2 1/4 Inches, Finish: Stainless Steel, SN: 30130

Markings:
MANUFACTURED FOR-PIC- DECARUR, GA other side Col. .25 Auto nr.1025

Question:
Saw Lisa N.C 2012 about PIC Saturday Night Special Who made My Pistol? Can it be stripped down & cleaned ?

 Answer:
Alton, sorry but I can not be of much more assistance. The answer that I posted for Lisa, is about all of the information that I have on this model. Marc



16173  - REMINGTON DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUN AGE
1/18/2020
Dewayne El Reno, OK

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

Question:
I have a Remington 12ga double barrel with hammers that belonged to my dad, which I have inherited. I was told it was made in 1889 serial number 45213 it also has number 697 in another location and a #2 stamped away from other numbers just trying to confirm date it was made. I have shot this when younger with light loads now just display it.

 Answer:
Dewayne- Remington made double barrel shotguns starting 1874 with numerous models, ending with the Model 1889. Production of the Model 1889 ended in 1909. I do not have exact dates, but it seems that your serial number would be near the very end of production, so probably closer to circa 1900-1909 than 1889.

They were not always marked with model number, but the 1889 had ``REMINGTON ARMS CO on the locks and barrel rib. The Model 1885 and 1887 were marked ``E. REMINGTON & SONS`` on the rib. Hope that helps. John Spangler



16180  - Paragon 16 GA
1/14/2020
Angela, Bloomer, WI

Maker: ?, Model: ?, Caliber: 16GA Choke, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: A586678

Question:
I have a Paragon Model W.S. 16ga that was my great great uncle. I don`t know much about it except that it`s quite old. Does anyone know about what year this is from our any history on it?

 Answer:
Angela, I do not have a lot of information on this firearm. Paragon seems to be a popular name in the firearms industry. It is a trade-name that was used on revolvers and shotguns manufactured by many makers. Probably by Hopkins & Allen, c.1880, J. Stevens Arms Company and possibly others. It is hard to say for sure without being able to see the shotgun but it is probably one of a huge number made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and sold through various retail outlets. This type of firearm falls into the category of ``old guns`` that no one seems to be interested in as shooters, but collectors do not want them either. Generally these were basic inexpensive simple guns which sold at modest prices and still have little interest or value on market today. On the retail market they usually sell in the $25-125 range depending on condition and general appearance for use as a ``wall hanger`` over a fireplace. Where there is any family history, we encourage people to keep these old guns for sentimental value. Please be warned that most of these are not considered safe to shoot. Marc



16172  - MONARCH BRAND SHOTGUN
1/14/2020
Rob

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

Question:
I have a side by side shotgun. Only markings are ``New Britain Arms Co.`` and ``Monarch``, serial#9508 If someone can help me find out more about this gun and company it would be appreciated. I believe it is like 70/80 years old. And relatively cheap, but would still like to know. Thanks!!

 Answer:
Rob- Charles Carder`s ``Side by Sides of the World`` lists the New Britain Arms Company as selling a ``Monarch`` model which was a hammerless double made by Crescent Fire Arms Company for the New York City firm of Kirtland Brothers & Company circa 1925-1930. The same ``house brand`` name was likely used on several models of shotguns, but all from the mass market makers like Crescent or Folsom, or Stevens.

This was a New York City arms and surplus dealer and I found a couple of ads as early as 1911 at https://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/SLZA/slza.html

Cornell Publications has copies of their 1924 catalog which may or may not list your gun:

http://www.cornellpubs.com/old-guns/item_desc.php?item_id=413

Hope that helps. John Spangler



16179  - Marlin OTASCO Alamo Commemorative
1/11/2020
New jersey

Maker: Marlin Model 6081, Model: 6081, Caliber: 22 LR, Barrel Length: 24 Inch, Finish: Blue, SN: OZ004206

Markings:
Alamo commemorative

Question:
Can you tell me the year

 Answer:
References indicate that Marlin made a number of commemoratives for that were marketed by Oklahoma Tire and Supply Company (OTASCO) over the years. The model 6081 was offered in in 1981 and serial numbers for this model all have an ``OZ`` prefix as yours does. Values for the OTASCO commemoratives guns is about the same as any other version of that Marlin of the same model and same condition. Marc



16171  - Trapdoor Springfield
1/11/2020
Scott Clay, NY

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

Question:
Good evening, I recently purchased a Springfield Trapdoor and posted some questions online. The gunsmith at East Creek Precision (in Nevada) suggested I email and ask you guys.

I`m not so much concerned with the value of the gun as I am the history. Specifically I`m wondering what model it is exactly and if the gun is `as issued` (and not a commercial parts gun like a Bannerman).

Here is what I can tell you:

Breech is marked 1873

Gun OAL is 52 inches.

It has what appears to be an original 1879 sight. (Patina matches and it is held in place by 2 large stubs or pounded rivets, not slotted screws)

The stock is original and unsanded, Marked 1884 and Circle P. Buttplate does NOT have a storage door.

The serial number is 266229

Please let me know if there are other clues I can give you about the lineage of this gun. Whatever information you can provide me would be greatly welcome.

 Answer:
Scott- Always glad to help someone who uses our excellent gunsmith friend at East Creek Precisions.

First, 52 inches is correct length for the standard infantry rifle.

Serial number 266229 was probably made sometime in 1884, and that was a time of transition between the 1879 sights and the later Buffington sights. The sight is held by ``slotless`` screws which needed a special clamp type screwdriver, and they were intended to keep soldiers from removing them in the field. 1873 marked breechblocks were still in use then.

The 1884 on the left side of the stock should also have script initials SWP above the date, for the inspector, Samuel W. Porter, but the date is correct for that serial number, so I suspect it is probably all original.

There is no documented usage history for this serial number, but many guns with nearby serial numbers are listed as in use by various volunteer units raised during the Spanish American War for service in Cuba, Puerto Rico or the Philippines. Many units raised, never deployed, and the guns might have spent the entire war at mobilization camps in Virginia or Georgia or somewhere else. Hope that helps. John Spangler



16163  - Savage Mod. 220A
1/7/2020
Robert

Maker: Savage Arms Corporation, Model: 220A, Caliber: 20 Gauge, Barrel Length: Unknown, Finish: Unknown, SN: UNKNOWN

Markings:
2 3/4¨ chamber

Question:
What year was this gun produced and what is it's current value?

 Answer:
Robert, The Savage model 220 is a hammerless single barrel shotgun that originally was furnished with a plain pistol grip stock. Savage manufactured the model 220 from 1938 to 1965 in 12, 16, 20, 28 and 410 gauges, barrel lengths ranged from 26 to 32 inches. I could find no mention of a model 220A but there is a model 220 AC that came equipped with a Savage adjustable choke. There is no collector interest in the Savage model 220 or 220AC, values are in the $50.00 range... Marc



16166  - Engraved Civil War Era Colt Army Revolver
1/7/2020
Christopher, Fredericskburg, VA

Maker: Colt, Model: 1860 Army, Caliber: .44, Barrel Length: I Think 8 Inches, Finish: Blue, SN: 60036

Markings:
Wolf head Engraving on the hammer. Engravings all over the barrel , cylinder and handle.

Question:
I am trying to find out as much as I can about this firearm. All the S/N match across all pieces. It has a Colt Patent on the cylinder and the ''Address Col Sam...'' on the top of the barrel. I showed a collector named Udo (you may know him) and he informed me that there are no markings indicating that it was used in the military, implying commercial use. I was thinking it may have been engraved by Gustave Young because of the Wolfhead Hammer. This is not a replica and is in perfect firing condition. We were also thinking it could have possibly been used by the South in the Civil War since it was commercial, but did not know how to track that. Thank you, Chris

 Answer:
Christopher- It certainly sounds like a nice gun. However, it is outside our area of expertise, and I could not authenticate the engraving as being original, or identify the engraver even if holding this gun in my hand while you held another to my head.

The starting point to research this one will be to pull out your wallet and credit card and contact Colt for a factory letter. Their prices for percussion revolvers, especially engraved ones, can get VERY pricey, so either man up and buy the letter, or take your chances that you might find out something for free elsewhere. But, the Colt letter should tell if it was delivered on a military order, or if on a civilian order, possibly if it was factory engraved, or shipped “in the white” for engraving by one of the big resellers, and possibly the shipping destination. If it authenticates this as a factory engraved gun, the cost of the letter will be well worth it. Hope you have a winner! John Spangler



16165  - Finding Grandfathers Military Rifle
1/4/2020
Chris

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

Question:
I’m trying to find my great grandfather’s rifle from WW2 but I don’t have the serial number. I know the date he enlisted, where he enlisted and his serial number but not the serial number of the rifle. Can you help me?

 Answer:
Chris- Sorry, we cannot help with that one. Such information probably does not exist any longer. Records of which guns were issued to an individual were temporary records, and thrown away when guns were returned and a unit disbanded or after a short period of time. In some cases people know the number of the rifle, but even then finding the rifle is nearly impossible. I admire your desire to do this, but in reality it is an impossible quest. John Spangler



16154  - Nickel 1934 Beretta
1/4/2020
Memphis

Maker: Beretta, Model: 1934, Caliber: 9mm, Barrel Length: 3 1/2, Finish: Nickel, SN: 967880

Markings:
Cardone vt 1942 xx , ``F`` on left side below hammer at grip-this model is nickel plated.

Question:
Trying to find out any History/ Value on this gun.

 Answer:

The model 1934 was Italy`s service weapon in WWII, and over one million were manufactured between 1934-1980. Military Model 1934 pistols are usually fit with metal-backed grips. Military slides were marked ``P. Beretta Cal 9 Corto - Mo 1934 Brevet Gardone VT`` followed by the date of manufacture. The date of manufacture is usually given in two systems (except on late wartime production models) the Christian calendar - e.g. 1942 - followed by a Roman numeral denoting the year of the Fascist calendar which began in 1922. Thus, an inscription might read 1942 XX or 1937 XV. WWII military weapons were marked on the left side of the frame just behind the top of the grip with the branch of the armed forces they were issued to:

  • RE (Regia Esercito) for the army
  • RA (Regia Aeronautica) for the air force
  • RM (Regia Marine) for the navy

Police weapons were marked PS (Publica Sicurezza) at the left rear of the frame. Model 1934-s were also sold commercially during WWII but only in relatively small numbers, since most of the production was taken by the Italian forces. Later production model 1934-s have an alphabetical prefix. Post war production models have serial numbers that start with C00001.

My references indicate that there were some nickel plated Model 1934 Beretta pistols manufactured during WWII but they were all engraved presentation guns. If your pistol is nickel plated but it is not engraved, the finish is most probably not original. Unfortunately there is not much collector interest in this type of firearm and value is minimal. Marc