Questions And Answers Page

If you have a question about firearms and you want it posted on this page click here.

Click here to go to the question and answer monthly index.

Click here to go to the question and answer subject index.

15318 - Blackpowder Repro. Value
1/30/2016
Hinsdale NY

Maker: Blakpowder 44 Caliber Pistol, Model: USMR, Caliber: 44, Barrel Length: 9 In, Finish: Don't Know, SN: 198C2 (C BACKWARDS)

Markings:
198c2 ( C backwards0 double stamped same number on butt PN w/ star above coat of arms crossed rifles over shield, says Navy Arms INc made in Italy has AD in a box

Question:
trying to figure out year of gun which the AD represents and would like to know if it is collectable

Answer:
Your revolver is a modern reproduction that was manufactured in Italy and imported by Navy Arms. "USMR" stands for U.S. Army's Mounted Rifles (U.S.M.R.) or "Dragoons". Navy Arms was founded about 1960 by Val Forgett in Ridgefield, NJ. They were among the first to have Italian gunmakers turn out copies of Civil War and other antique firearms.

Navy Arms has a good reputation for the quality and workmanship of the firearms that they market but there is not allot of collector interest in modern black powder replicas, so resale values are usually pretty modest. Marc

15269 - Jukar Muzzle Loading Pistol
1/30/2016
Greg Randolph, cable, Ohio

Maker: Roy Jackson, Model: Black Powder Muzzle Loader, Caliber: 45, Barrel Length: 8- 12 Inches, Finish: Rusty, SN: 0004677

Markings:
Jukar made in Spain has gold plate with Roy Jackson on it.

Question:
Just was wondering if there is reprints of this gun or if we might have a legit gun

Answer:
Greg- The “Jukar” brand muzzle loaders were made in Spain in the late 20th century, or about 30-50 years ago. They reportedly are okay as shooters, but really have very modest value, probably well under $100. This was probably a prize or award of some sort to Mr. Jackson, but unless you can find he is somewhat famous or notorious that really does not help or hurt the value. John Spangler

15267 - WRA .45 ACP AMMUNITION DATE
1/26/2016
Ryan, Arab ,al

Maker: .45, Model: .45, Caliber: .45, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Don`t Know, SN: ?

Markings:
600 cartridges cal.45 ball m1911 in cartons wra 22177 600

Question:
I came across this spam ca style box off ammo. Older ladies husband had them. Can anyone tell me if they may be WWII era? What are they worth?

Answer:
Ryan- We cannot tell you the exact date on those. However, for M1911 .45 caliber ball ammunition the first WRA lot number that was non-corrosive was lot WRA 22198 which was delivered in November, 1951. Given the huge piles of ammo left over from WW2, not much was made between 1945 and the start of the Korean War in 1950, so Is suspect yours was made either in 1945, or perhaps late 1950 or early 1951. In any case, the lot number clearly identifies it as having corrosive primers. Therefore it will not be popular with most shooters, and value will be less to them than later non-corrosive primed ammunition.

If a gun fired with corrosive primed ammunition is not cleaned promptly and properly to remove all the residue, it will rust and pit the bore within a few days. Too many people who have grown up with non-corrosive ammo do not do this, and a lot of nice guns have been ruined. John Spangler

15317 - Buntline Scout
1/26/2016
John, Baton Rouge, La

Maker: Colt, Model: Single Action Buntline Scout, Caliber: 22 LR, Barrel Length: 9 1/2, Finish: Blue, SN: 173028F

Question:
What is the value of this gun, I believe it was made in the late 1950s or early 1960.

Answer:
John, legend has it that the first Buntline Specials originated with a five-gun special order of ultra-long barreled Colt Single Action Army revolvers which was placed by Edward Judson, who wrote pulp fiction under the pseudonym Ned Buntline. Several Colt special order long-barrel revolvers with 10, 12 or 16 inch barrels made between 1878 and 1884 also carried the Buntline name. Many or all of the Buntlines Specials are said to have had shoulder stocks and folding-leaf rear sights. Factory records indicate production of about eighteen Buntline Special revolvers in all, some of which were apparently cut to a more manageable length within a few years. Limited numbers of the 12 inch and 16 inch Buntline Special revolvers were specially made in 1958 and again in 1970.

Colt announced the 9.5 inch Buntline Scout in January of 1959, it was originally chambered for .22 LR rimfire cartridge, but after 1964 revolvers were also available with interchangeable .22 magnum cylinders. Buntline Scout revolvers differed from regular Frontier Scout revolvers purely in barrel length (9.5 inches instead of 4.75 inches). My records indicate that the year of manufacture for your Buntline revolver (serial number 173028f) is 1964. Buntline values in the blue book range from $140 to over $350 depending on condition. Marc

15316 - Savage 29 Information
1/23/2016
Jessica, Jerome, Idaho

Maker: Savage, Model: 29, Caliber: .22, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Other, SN: ?

Markings:
It has a hexagonal barrel, I don't know if that is significant

Question:
My question is of the year of this gun. I don't have the serial number, I just want a general idea of the era it was made in. All I know is that it is a Savage Model 29, Pump, And was made in Utica NY. It is of very thick and heavy Black Steel.

Answer:
Jessica, Savage manufactured the Model 29 rifle from 1929 to 1942 and then again after W.W.II from 1945 to 1967. The 29 was an improvement of their earlier Model 25, with a modified take-down action. The receiver was round-backed with an ejection port on the right hand side. Rifles were chambered in .22 Short, .22 Long or .22 Long Rifle rimfire, interchangeably. Overall length was 40.5 inches, weight was 5.75 pounds empty and the barrel was 24 inches with 6-groove right hand twist concentric rifling. The tubular magazine ran lengthwise beneath the barrel and held 15-20 rounds depending on which cartridge was loaded. The rear sight was spring-leaf and elevator type. Pre-war rifles had octagonal barrels while post-war rifles had round barrels and ribbed slide handles. Your barrel is octagonal, this tells us that the rifle was manufactured between 1929 and 1942. The blue book lists values for Savage Model 29 rifles from about $90.00 to about $250.00 depending on condition. Marc

15261 - GECADO Model 50 Air Rifle
1/23/2016
Richard, Eastbourne, Sussex, England

Maker: Gecado, Air Rifle, Model: Model 50, Caliber: 0.177, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 71273486

Question:
I am looking for the specifications on this air rifle so that I can get a permit to bring it into the UK. Can you help?

Answer:
Richard- I regret we cannot help with that one. We just do not know much about air guns. I wish we could help our UK friends, especially since they have been such loyal allies as we jointly fight the war on radical Islamic terrorists.

There must be some information in the Blue Book of Gun Values, or on one of the air gun sites (Beeman?).

The gun laws in the UK are totally absurd, and seem to have had no success reducing violent crime, although they have disarmed most of the honest citizens. Worse, your laws now make it a crime for citizens to defend themselves, so burglars successfully sue homeowners if they get injured while robbing them. Things will get even more repressive in an over reaction to the Paris and other terror attacks, and eventually private ownership of any guns, even air guns, or “deactivated” firearms will be outlawed, but terrorists and criminals will still get guns from illegal sources. John Spangler

15315 - .358 Model 88 Carbine
1/19/2016
Jeff, Washington

Maker: Winchester, Model: Model 88, Caliber: 358, Barrel Length: 19", Finish: Bluing, SN: 215797A

Markings:
Carbine, Barrel band

Question:
I bought this about 10 years ago, I was wondering if you could tell me anything about this gun. I would say it is 96 to 99 percent in condition, I've only shot it 2 times and I don't think it has seen more than a box or two of shells through it, could you tell me what it might be worth? I also have the same rifle in a 284 carbine, same condition. Thank you for your time Jeff.

Answer:
Jeff, your carbine was manufactured in the first year of Model 88 carbine production, 1968. The 19 inch Model 88 carbine was initially listed in the Winchester catalog in three calibers: .243, 284. and .308. By 1971, the Winchester catalog listed Model 88 carbines in .243 and .308 calibers only. I can find no mention of the Model 88 carbine ever being offered in .358. Blue book values for Model 88 carbines in .284 range from $475 to $1200. If your carbine is original, and not something put together at a later date, there is probably at least one individual willing to pay more for the unusual caliber. Marc

15257 - 1861 Enfield With Mother Of Pearl And Wire Inlays
1/19/2016
Georgia

Maker: Enfield, Model: 1861, Caliber: 58, Barrel Length: 52 In ( Overall ), Finish: Rusty, SN: ?

Markings:
Heavily inlaid with mother of pearl with what appears to be brass/copper twisted wire for stems on the flower pattern

Question:
What time period would this have been done and who was the artist of this pattern?? Ive seen this on other arms and what was the significance

Answer:
Georgia- The types of decoration you describe are often found on guns in Arab or Muslim countries, ranging from India and Afghanistan west through Turkey, Syria, Egypt and across North Africa to Morocco. The quality of the work varies from beautiful artistry and workmanship to very crude and clumsy. “Why” is more difficult, and while some may have been to appeal to the artistic taste of wealthy buyers, most was probably motivated by greed and the hope of finding some sucker willing to pay a lot more for a fancy gun “made for a tribal chief” or something. Gullible buyers will often fall for a good story and shiny trinkets. John Spangler

15254 - William Wingert- Detroit Gun Maker
1/16/2016
Steve, Green Valley, AZ

Maker: William Wingert Detroit, Model: Unknown, Caliber: 1/2 Inch, Barrel Length: 32 Inches / Octagonal 1 1/4'', Finish: Don`t Know, SN: NO SN

Markings:
X style maker`s mark on bbl between W.M.Wingert and Detroit.''Tioga''(?)on lock plate, some worn engraving on hammer and plate. Rifled barrel. Percussion cap hammer and nipple. Double Set trigger. Brass trigger guard. Ornate brass buttplate with brass spring-hinged rectangular patch box. Half-stock w/ pewter nose cap / no cheek piece. Two iron ramrod guides. Heirloom from great great grandfather in Illinois. Similar general appearance to W.M. Wingert heavy half-stock percussion target rifle.

Question:
Approx date of rifle? Model? Could it have been converted from flintlock to percussion? Any other specific information much appreciated

Answer:
Steve- Frank Sellers’ American Gunsmiths page 365 tells us that William Wingertworked in Detroit, MI from 1837-1867 making percussion rifles and pistols with his brother John A. Wingert and they sold out to Fisher and Long in 1867. John is listed as working 1845-1867. The “Tioga” marking does not mean anything to me, but may be some sort of brand name or model name, or something like that, or maybe just the name of a lock maker. Tioga seems to be an Indian name, but usage extends from northern Pennsylvania across the nation to the Rockies in Nevada, so it really does not help pin anything down.

It is possible this may have been a flint lock originally, but percussion was becoming pretty popular by 1837, and my guess would be that nearly all of William Wingert’s guns were made in percussion. The simple way to tell if a lock has been converted from flint is to see if there is a hole in the lockplate where the screw for the frizzen would have been, and another roughly underneath that to hold the frizzen spring, and a short distance forward of that a smaller hole for the pin on the frizzen spring. These were usually plugged during the conversion but careful inspection will who where they were. It sounds like a nice rifle, and with the family history it would be nice to see it stay in the family. For insurance purposes, I would place a value of about $600-800 on it. John Spangler

15319 - WWII Model 70?
1/16/2016
Steve, Keystone, SD

Maker: Winchester, Model: M70, Caliber: 30 Govt`06, Barrel Length: 24, Finish: Blue, SN: 43538

Markings:
U.S.R.S

Question:
Was this rifle used in WWII? What other information would you have if any on this serial number and markings?

Answer:
Steve, your Winchester was one of 19077 Model 70 rifles manufactured in 1941 by Winchester. According to the barrel markings the rifle is chambered in the standard caliber for U.S. military rifles, 30-06. The Wikipedia article on the Model 70 tells us the following:

"The United States Marine Corps purchased 373 Model 70 rifles in May, 1942. Although the Marine Corps officially used only the M1 Garand and the M1903 Springfield as sniper rifles during the Second World War, "many Winchester Model 70s showed up at training camps and in actual field use during the Pacific campaign." These rifles had 24-inch sporter barrels chambered for .30-06 Springfield. They were serial numbered in the 41000 to 50000 range and were fitted with leaf sights and checkered stocks with steel butt plates, one-inch sling swivels, and leather slings. It has been reported that some of these rifles were equipped with 8X Unertl telescopic sights for limited unofficial use as sniper weapons on Guadalcanal and during the Korean War. Many of the surviving rifles, after reconditioning with heavier Douglas barrels and new stocks between 1956 and 1963 at the Marine Corps match rebuild shop in Albany, Georgia, were fitted with 8× Unertl sights from M1903A1 sniper rifles. The reconditioned rifles were used in competitive shooting matches; and the United States Army purchased approximately 200 new Model 70 National Match Rifles with medium heavy barrels for match use between 1954 and 1957."

The Roger Rule book indicates that the US military ordered 2366 model 70s in .30-06. Winchester placed either the "U.S." stamp or the army ordnance wheel in line with the receiver serial number. Other military marks are common, but placed on by agencies other than Winchester. The military 70 pictured in this book uses a Lyman Alaskan all weather with the scope attached at the rear with the side screws and at the fore using a special mount that fits in the dovetail for the rear sight. Marc

15314 - Old Shotgun
1/12/2016
John, Martinsburg, WV

Maker: Unknown, Model: Unknown, Caliber: 12 Gauge, Barrel Length: 30'', Finish: Don't Know, SN: 58737

Markings:
Butt Plate has an eagle with outspread wings on it (similar to that of the one found on the older quarters) with A F Co on the thing the eagle is sitting on. Also, on the barrel, there is the marking CHOKE BORED and on the side is IH W LONG RANGE VARMIT.

Question:
Can you tell me when, where, and who this gun was made for and if it is worth anything?

Answer:
John, our main focus at FineOldGuns.com is military firearms. We sometimes list sporting shotguns for sale in our catalogs but we do not have a lot of interest in collecting them and are by no means experts in this field.

I do not have a lot of information on this firearm, 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.

There are several dealers listed on our links page that specialize in shotguns who would be able to give you a better answer to your question. Marc

15253 - Canadian? Canvas Gun Cover
1/12/2016
canada

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

Markings:
I have a canvas gun sheath with a leather buckle strap and inside flap it says : S R.M.A.O. 1915 Can you help me with who made this?

Question:
Can you help me with this.

Answer:
Sir- I do not know enough about Canadian web gear to tell you anything. There is a book by Jack Summers called “Tangled Web: Canadian Infantry Accoutrements, 1855-1985” which may identify this item, and/or have a list of makers. Many Americans forget about our Canadian neighbors, good neighbors, who have been our steadfast allies, at least since the unpleasantness on the Niagara frontier some 200 years ago. They were excellent partners even in Afghanistan, and as the Ottawa killings showed, they are targets for terrorists just like the U.S. and UK. John Spangler

15311 - Model 94 Value
1/9/2016
Richard, Calgary,Alberta Canada

Maker: Winchester, Model: 94, Caliber: 30/30, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 4096962

Question:
What is the value of this rifle and when was it made? Thanks Richard

Answer:
Richard, the most valuable Winchesters are those that were manufactured before 1964, this was before the change over at Winchester to cheaper production methods with more stamped parts and inferrior stamped checkering. Your rifle was manufactured in 1974 so it is too new to be a real collectors item. As a shooter I would expect to see a rifle like yours offered for sale ones the $300 - 400 range. Marc

15242 - Spencer Carbine Info
1/9/2016
Joe, New Bremen, Ohio

Maker: Spencer, Model: ?, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 16845

Question:
Interested in model, caliber, and any other information you can provide. Believe it is a carbine.

Answer:
Joe- Christopher M. Spencer’s breechloading Model 1860 carbine was a lever action that held seven .56 caliber rimfire cartridges in a tubular magazine in the buttstock, and had a 22 inch barrel. It was one of the best of all Civil War cavalry arms, and many Spencers remained in use until replaced by the .45-70 “trapdoor” carbines in the mid 1870s. The first Spencer carbines were the Model 1860, made in .56-56 caliber. About 50,000 were made and serial numbers would have included your 16,845. About 11,000 of these were altered at the end of the Civil War to take .56-50 ammunition (or the .56-52 which was more or less interchangeable with .56-50). About half of the conversions had three groove liners in the barrel while the other half had bores tight enough to retain the original six groove bores. Your serial number might be one of these instead of an unaltered Model 1860.

Complicating matters is the Model 1865 Spencer which had a 20 inch barrel and used the .56-50 cartridge. About half of these had a “Stabler cutoff” which was a small lever which allowed restricting feeding from the magazine so it could be held in reserve. About 23,000 of these were made, starting with serial number 1 again, so your carbine may be one of these. These are usually marked on the top flat of the receiver or at the rear of the barrel “M. 1865.” Both the Model 1860 and 1865 were made by the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company of Boston, Mass.

Further complicating matters is the Burnside Rifle Company which also made Model 1865 Spencer carbines, starting their own serial number run from 1 up to about 34,000. These are stamped MODEL 1865 along with the maker’s name. Your gun may be one of these.

So, we can probably narrow it down to either the Model 1860, Model 1860 Altered, the Model 1865 made by Spencer or the Model 1865 made by Burnside. The first is .56-56 caliber and the others .56-60. Roy Marcot’s Spencer Firearms, or Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms and their Values would be good references to use.

Hope that helps. John Spangler

15241 - Colt? 1861 Pistol?
1/6/2016
john in Florida

Maker: Colt?, Model: 1861, Caliber: .36, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Don`t Know, SN: NONE

Markings:
1 marking. With the wood handgrips removed there is a backwards c stamped in the metal

Question:
I don`t know what I have or if its a reproduction or real

Answer:
John- Sorry, based on the information provided, I don’t know what you have either. Colt was very good about marking their products, and using serial numbers, so lacking those markings, I suspect it is some sort of replica or kit. John Spangler

15306 - Walter Model 1 In .32?
1/6/2016
Jared, Pell City, AL, USA

Maker: Walther, Model: Selbstlade Pistole (Model 1), Caliber: 7.65 (.32), Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 31333

Markings:
There are three strange markings. It is a capitol ''N'' with a 5-pointed star in a circle above it. Above it appears to be either a plus sign or another star (I do not have a magnifying glass).

Question:
I am wondering how much a gun like this might appraise for (ballpark). Also I would love to know if it was a military issued gun. Thanks.

Answer:
Jared, my reference books indicate that the Walther Model 1 was only manufactured in .25 caliber. Walther manufactured a Model 3 that was chambered in .32 caliber. The Model 3 looks allot like the Model 1 except that it has a larger frame to accommodate the larger .32 caliber ammunition.

Pistols issued to the Imperial German Army before and during World War I will have a crown over N stamp. The Walther pistol you describe was not ever accepted as standard issue for the military, but may well have been purchased privately by an officer. In that case it will only have the standard proof marks required by law, and no military acceptance marks.

Blue book values for Model 3 pistols range from $500 to around $3000 but it has been my experience that they are slow sellers at anything over $700. Marc

15305 - Cinnaron 38
1/2/2016
Judy Atlanta Ga.

Maker: Cinnaron F.A. Co., Model: ?, Caliber: 38, Barrel Length: 7in., Finish: Blue, SN: X06277

Markings:
Engraved Cylinder By W.L. Ormsby Pat.July 25 1871 and 1872

Question:
How old is this gun and how much is it worth. Thanks

Answer:
Judy, my guess is that you are asking about Cimarron, not Cinnaron. The Cimarron Firearms Co. was founded in 1987 and their products are very popular with the Cowboy Action Shooter crowd. Cimarron manufactures high quality reproductions of Colt, Spencer, Henry and Winchester firearms from the 19th century. You did not indicate what model your Cimarron is, so it is hard to give you a value. From a quick glance at the blue book, I can tell you that most of their handgun values top out at around $600. For more information you may want to visit the Cimarron web site at http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/default.htm. Marc

15236 - Hartford Arms Semi Auto Pistol
1/2/2016
Cary, Daytona, FL

Maker: Hartford Arms, Model: ?, Caliber: .22, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: ?

Markings:
3000 and 2979

Question:
I have a Hartford Arms .22 that I am trying to identify and learn more about. I realize that this company went on to become High Standard and those pieces began at serial number 5000. I have a 4 digit number on the front of the grip just below the lower back of the trigger guard, and another 4 digit number inside the upper. I have the original magazine, and also have a leather holster from Brauer Brother out of St Louis. Looking forward to learning more

Answer:
Cary- Hartford Arms pistols are the direct ancestor of the High Standard pistols. I really don’t know (and honestly, do not care) much about High Standard pistols, although I have great respect for the company’s manufacturing ability which was widely used to support other makers during WW2 with barrels of all types. The best source for finding info on High Standard Products is on the High Standard Collectors Association site: http://hscollectorsblog.blogspot.com/

One of the real High Standard experts is John Stimson at www.histandard.info

Below is what he had to say about Hartford Arms: John Spangler

“The Hartford Arms and Equipment Co. was founded in late 1925 by three men from Massachusetts. They produced two .22 pistols and a .22 rifle.

The most common Hartford pistol was the semi-auto. The single shot was less common and one will seldom encounter the rifle. There is mention on a number of gun guides of a magazine fed manually operated Hartford similar to the Fiala or Schall pistol. This repeating Hartford pistol does not exist. If I recall correctly , the first mention of the Hartford repeater is in Edward Chappels gun guide. Later other gun guides included it in their listings. It is not found in the Hartford Arms literature or magazine advertising as do the other two pistols and rifle. The only reported sightings of the Hartford repeater turned out to be an unmarked Schall pistol.

The Hartford single shot came in two different serial number series and in two major variations. the first variation was made by Hartford and the second which had a slightly larger diameter barrel was made by High Standard with Hartford markings. The High Standard version began shipping at the same time as the High Standard Model B and ended in July 1933.

The Hartford semi-auto also appeared in two different serial number series. There were three different major variations of the semi-auto independent of the grips and finish variations. It is similar in appearance to the early Colt Woodsman family. However the Hartford guns were a pretty pedestrian gun that were a good deal cheaper than the Colt product. Examination of the bore with a bore scope will show that the rifling was not always well cut.

High Standard bought the remains of Hartford out of bankruptcy and began producing the single shot with little change except the barrel diameter and the semi-auto went into production with numerous changes including a completely new magazine but still utilizing some small Hartford parts like the trigger and front sight.

There is some collector interest in Hartford but mostly by High Standard collectors as there are few collectors interested in just Hartfords.”

Return to Collectors Headquarters.