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16376 - SOURCE OF .30 RIMFIRE AMMUNITION
11/28/2020
Tim

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

Question:
I have a JW Marlin XXX Standard 1872 and cannot find any .30 rimfire ammunition for it. Do you have any available or know where I can find it? Thank you

Answer:
Tim- Sorry, we cannot help with that one. There is no source for shooting quantities, and I don`t think any has been made since the 1940s. I may have a couple of loose rounds in a large ammo collection we bought, but no idea when I would be able to find them (if there are any). Sorry! John Spangler

16386 - Audax Pistol Breakdown
11/28/2020
LARRY SMETHPORT, PA

Maker: AUDAX, Model: AUDAX MARQUE DEPOSEE, Caliber: 6.35, Barrel Length: 3'' (?), Finish: Blue, SN: 10019

Markings:
FABRICATION FRANCAISE

Question:
I inherited a small hand gun listed above. From my military experience I have shot and cleaned many weapons but would like the proper way to break down this pistol for cleaning. Any help or direction will be greatly appreciated. Thank you,''Gunny'' GySgt USMC disabled

Answer:
Larry, thanks for your service. Audax pistols were manufactured from 1931 to about 1939 for sale by Cartoucherie Francaise of Paris in both 6.35mm (25) and 7.65mm (32). The 6.35mm blowback was modelled on the 1906-pattern Browning. The grip safety was retained, but the manual catch protruded from under the left grip plate. The 7.65mm resembled the 1910 Browning; its safety features duplicated the smaller 6.35mm Audax, and an odd bulge at the bottom rear of the butt improved grip. Both versions are marked PISTOLET AUTOMATIQUE CAL...AUDAX MARQUE DEPOSE FABRICATION FRANCAISE on the slide. The 6.35mm Audaxwas a minor adaption of the Unique Model II and the 7.65mm pattern was based on the Unique Model 19.

I was unable to find instructions for breaking down the Audax but since the design is based on the 1906-pattern Browning which is in tern, the same as the Colt Vest Pocket, maybe instructions for breaking down the Colt Vest Pocket will help. These instructions come from Smith's Book of Pistols and Revolvers:

First make sure that there is no cartridge in the chamber, then pull the trigger. This weapon should not be cocked when it is dismounted.

Remove the magazine.

Holding the weapon in the left hand with the thumb over the breechblock end of the slide, with the right band push the slide back about a sixteenth of an inch and tighten the left hand to hold the slide firmly in that position.

With the right hand twist the barrel one-quarter turn to the right. Twisting the barrel turns the locking lugs on its underside out of their engaging recesses in the receiver, permitting barrel and slide removal.

Hope that this helps. Marc

16384 - Looking Glass 6.35mm Pistol
11/21/2020
Philip Lawson

Maker: Looking Glass, Model: ?, Caliber: 6.35, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
I have a small handgun that I don't know the make of. It has what appears to be a worn description of a bucking horse on the back end of the slide above the handle. That same bucking horse is on the frame of the gun below the back part of the slide. The letter "B" with an asterisk directly above it is in front of the apparent horse. Also it has ""looking glass"" written on the side of the slide. It is a 6.35 caliber automatic. It has no make written on it. It has "6.35 caliber" written on the screw-on grips. I was wondering if you might know who made this gun?

Answer:
Philip- Your "Looking Glass" (that is the brand name) is one of dozens of very similar copies of the Browning .25 automatic. Most were made in Europe, and sometimes country of originn can be determined by the proof marks. I suspect Spain or France, but wouldn't bet much on that.. MW

16367 - MARLIN 336 DATE
11/21/2020
Tom US

Maker: Marlin, Model: 336, Caliber: 30-30, Barrel Length: 20, Finish: Long Gun - Blue, SN: 26136900

Markings:
JM

Question:
Received gun from parents around 1975 as a gift. Not sure where they purchased from. It came with a weaver 4x scope. When I enter the serial number in the many sites it comes up with invalid. Wondering what year made and what is value for gun not fired much. I believe I have only fired 1 box but not sure if my folks got it new or from someone else.

Answer:
Tom- In the confusing and ever changing world of Marlin serial numbers, I think that yours was made after 1973.

Starting in 1973, the year of manufacture maybe determined by subtracting the first two digits of the serial number from 100:

Example: SN 2512345 would have been made in 1975 [100 - 25 = 75] and SN 94365295 would have been made in 2006 [ 100 - 94 = 06 (2006) ].

So, if this is the case, your number 26136900 would have been made in 1974, which matches nicely with the 1975 gift date. These are nice guns, solid, well-designed and built, and in my opinion a lot better than the more popular Winchester Model 94 which was its main competition. Hope that helps. John Spangler

16383 - H&R Repairs
11/17/2020
Sue Guilford IN USA

Maker: HR, Model: 1906, Caliber: 22, Barrel Length: 5.5 INCHES, Finish: Handgun - Blue, SN: 102560

Markings:
Octagonal barrel

Question:
I would like to know the year of my grandfathers gun. But more importantly I would like to get it repaired and restored to shooting condition. Can you help me

Answer:
Sue, Harrington and Richardson manufactured reliable utilitarian low cost revolvers from 1874 when they were founded, until 1986 when they ceased production. Unfortunately there is little collector interest in H&R firearms. Personally, I have never cared for them and have never paid much attention to them. References indicate that the Model 1906 was a double action revolver manufactured from 1906 to 1941. Revolvers came with hard rubber grips, solid frame and fixed sights and were available with blue or nickel finish. Chamberings offered were .32 S&W Long (6 shot) or .38 S&W Long (5 shot).

Values for most H&R firearms are modest so it may not be worth the effort or cost to have this revolver repaid. I recommend you contact Lloyd Phillips at East Creek Precision (http://eastcreekprecision.com/), I have seen him do some excellent work on this type of revolver in the past. Hope that this helps. Marc

16355 - M1861 SPRINGFIELD- CLEAN OR NOT?
11/17/2020
Matt, Woodridge, Il.

Maker: Springfield, Model: 1862, Caliber: 58, Barrel Length: 40'', Finish: Don`t Know, SN: ?

Markings:
There is a PH stamped on the left side. Opposite the hammer.

Question:
I can`t seem to find a serial number. My question is that has an 1862 stamp on it. All original. I was wondering if it was going to damage the value if I cleaned up all the batina on the steel and possibly refinish the walnut.

Answer:
Matt- It sounds like you have a nice original piece, and these never had serial numbers, so that is why you cannot find it. I am not sure what the ``PH`` marking is, but probably added by a later owner, not during military service.

It would be foolish to harm it by over cleaning. There are several differing philosophies, and of course it is your gun and you can do whatever you like. Some of this stems from people who see guns strictly as tools to be used, and others who treat them as historical artifacts to be preserved in their current condition.

There are ``original rust`` fanatics who advise against doing anything but maybe rubbing a little gun oil onto the metal parts and some linseed oil or similar wood treatment on the wood, but not touching it with any cleaning material (especially steel wool, sandpaper, etc). On the other end of the spectrum, some people are in the ``clean vigorously to make it look new`` camp, and they scrub away any vestiges of dust, rust, patina or dirt. The danger with this is that they sometimes get carried away and sand away inspector markings and sharp edges on the wood and metal. An extreme example is a British museum worker who is rumored to have diligently removed severe dents in brass shoulder scales from a circa 1800 Dragoon uniform, and polished them to look like new. Sadly, these had been worn in a famous battle by an important historical figure, and the dents were from enemy saber blows in close combat, ruining an irreplaceably historical artifact. In general a vigorously cleaned gun will bring less than an ``original rust`` example.

Occupying the middle ground, are those who will gently clean to remove light surface rust and grubby dirt, but avoid disturbing the gentle patina of honest age and use. This is less objectionable on a gun originally finished ``bright`` (as with the M1861 muskets), as it more or less brings the gun to the condition at the time of use. If it were a blued or Parkerized gun, too much cleaning can remove the finish, and a bright spot from cleaning is a bigger problem than patina from age and use. In all cases, anything done to the wood should be limited. Maybe nothing more than rubbing in a little linseed oil, or in more extreme cases (on lower value guns) it may be forgivable to even use some paint stripper to remove non-original varnish or grime, then apply some stain and an oil finish. Maybe even use a wet rag and hot iron to steam up some dents and bruises before stain and oil, but this should be avoided if possible.

Like the doctors` oath goes, ``First, do no harm.``

Model 1861 Springfield .58 caliber muskets were the main infantry weapon of the Civil War, and virtually all of them made in 1862 were put into service as soon as they were made. Many were used in some of the most famous battles of that war, while others served with units on the fringes enduring the rigors of service, even if not in major battles.

Hope that helps. John Spangler

16350 - M1861 SPRINGFIELD VALUE
11/14/2020
Jake, Lehi, Utah

Maker: Springfield, Model: 1861, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: ?

Markings:
Eagle

Question:
I am a Utah resident and have just acquired what I believe to be a civil war era Springfield 1861 rifle. Is this something you have expertise in and if so, do you do on site appraisals at your location ?

Answer:
Jake- Yes, we can help a lot with these. We do not do any walk-in business, only on line or at gun shows, obeying all federal, state and local laws. If you send some photos, we can probably give you a good feel for value. I sent you an email explaining this but did not see any photos yet. John Spangler

16380 - Webley No.1 Mark VI
11/14/2020
Daryl, Santee, Ca.

Maker: WEBLEY, Model: Mark VI, Caliber: 45, Barrel Length: 6¨?, Finish: Blue, SN: #162XXX

Markings:
R.A.F.2B stamped under cylinder DRC with upside down 5 stamped on trigger guard ENGLAND stamped on barrel right side patents 1915stamped on left side under cylinder an¨S¨ shaped stamped on bottom of grips

Question:
Looking for history on pistol and possibly who this piece was issued to. A friend inherited the gun, and I volunteered my computer along with your knowledge. Thanks

Answer:
Daryl, .455 caliber Webley revolvers were used by the British armed forces for 60 years. The Mark I Webley was adopted in November 1887, and the last of the Webley service revolvers (the No. 1 Mark VI) was declared obsolete in 1947. All Webley service revolvers were of a similar top-breaking design with a heavy stirrup type catch. All of the Webley service revolvers have a "birds head" type grip except for the Mark VI whose grip is square. The Mark VI (called No.1 Mark VI after 1927), was adopted in May 1915, and over 300,000 were manufactured by Webley & Scott at Birmingham during World War I. After World War I some Mark VI's were produced at Enfield Lock. The British decided that .455 was too heavy a cartridge for the most effective use after World War I, and decided to use a .38 caliber cartridge based on the .38 Smith & Wesson instead. Webley designed a new pistol using many of the features of their commercial Mark III caliber .38 revolver. The .38 caliber design was taken over by Royal Small Arms Factory and adopted in World War II. I also have a Mk VI Webley with RAF markings. John has told me that he is highly suspicious that the RAF markings on my Webley are not real. Maybe one of our readers will be able to shed some light on this matter... Marc

16348 - MARLIN MODEL 27S DATE
11/10/2020
Don McCabe

Maker: Marlin, Model: 27s Slide Action, Caliber: 25-20, Barrel Length: 24'' Octigun -- 15'' Tube Mag., Finish: Parkerized, SN: 3789

Markings:
Top of receiver= Marlin Firearms Co. New Haven CT. Pat`d Aug.12,1890, Mar.1 92, June 8,97, Nov.29 1904. Special Smokeless Steel on Barrel.

Question:
I can`t find the yr. of manufacture. Can you help ?

Answer:
Don- Sorry, we canot help much. Some early Marlin serial numbers and dates are pretty much a confusing mess, and I really do not have the patience to sort them out, or know anyone who has done so, if it can be done at all. The best I can do is narrow the date down to circa 1905-1916 which is when Model 27s were being marked ``Marlin Firearms Co`` before it changed to ``Marlin Firearms Corporation.`` The best place for further research would be ``Marlin Firearms A History of the Guns and the Company That Made Them`` by William S. Brophy. Good luck. John Spangler

16382 - Rusty Old Revolver
11/10/2020
Tom

Maker: ?, Model: ?, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Handgun - Don`t Know, SN: ?

Markings:
I was hoping to be able to attach a photo of the brand mark and the handgun. The mark looks like a C and D and another D. The C is like a horseshoe on its side.

Question:
I was wondering if you could identify an old revolver. It has a hexagonal barrel and finish like cast iron. It has a mark that might be C D D. Looks like an 1868 Webley but they did not have octogon barrles. This is the case for pistols only. According to German proof law of 1891, pistols and revolvers, respectively had to be marked with c/c/U. Long guns (rifles, shotguns, drillings and so on) had only one crown over U - c/U. Plus additional proof markings not present on pistols and revolvers.

Answer:
Tom, I am not sure that I will be able to help much. The ``Crown / Crown / U`` proof marks are German. According to German proof law of 1891, pistols and revolvers, respectively had to be marked with Crown / Crown / U. Long guns (rifles, shotguns, drillings and so on) had only one crown over U . Plus additional proof markings not present on pistols and revolvers. The pictures that you sent show allot of pitting and rust. The revolver looks a vintage Webley, especially the distinctive shape of the hammer, but with an octagon barrel and German proofs. My guess is that it is an inexpensive Saturday Night Special type copy of a more valuable Webley revolver. In any case there is not much collector interest in revolvers that are pitted and rusty like this one so the value will be low. Marc.

16345 - MARLIN MODEL 39A DATE OF MANUFACTURE
11/7/2020
Eugene, St. Louis, MO

Maker: Marlin, Model: 39A, Caliber: .22 Rim Fire, Barrel Length: 23'', Finish: Blue, SN: D 2742

Question:
What year was this rifle manufactured?

Answer:
Eugene- I really don`t know much about Marlins, but the MarlinOwners.com site had the answer, and I am glad to reprint it here, with grateful thanks to the source at:

https://www.marlinowners.com/threads/manufacture-dates-of-39a.71907/

QUOTE

Marlin Year of Manufacture

Marlin year of manufacture maybe determined from the following list of letter/numeral prefixs to the serial number; this coding only applies to serialized rifles:

1946-C

1947-D

1948-E

1949-F

1950-G

1951-H

1952-J

1953-K

1954-L

1955-M

1956-N

1957-P

1958-R

1959-S

1960 (August)-1961-U

1961 (August)-1962-V

1963-W

1964-Y,-Z

1965-AA

1966-AB

1967-AC

1968-AD, -68

1969-69

1970-70

1971-71

1972-72

Starting in 1973, the year of manufacture maybe determined by subtracting the first two digits of the serial number from 100:

Example: SN 2512345 would have been made in 1975 [100 - 25 = 75] and SN 94365295 would have been made in 2006 [ 100 - 94 = 06 (2006) ].

For Marlin Rimfire Rifles [non-serialized]:

From 1962 thru 1968 Marlins rimfire rifles (other than the 39 series lever actions) used a two letter date code that was stamped on the barrel. This date code is different than the one already listed, as Marlin rimfire rifles (other than the model 39 series) did not have a serial numbers until required to by Law after 1968. The first letter of the date code represented the month of manufacture while the second letter indicated the year. This date code was usually stamped on the left side of the barrel just in front of the receiver. The first letter of the date code is as follows:

A = Jan.

B = Feb.

C = Mar.

D = Apr.

E = May

F = June

G = July

H = Aug.

I = Sep.

J = Oct.

K = Nov.

L = Dec.

The second letter of the date code is as follows:

F = 1962

G = 1963

H = 1964

I = 1965

J = 1966

K = 1967

L = 1968

END QUOTE

16381 - Quackenbush 22 Rifle
11/7/2020
Melissa Quackenbush newark

Maker: Quackenbush, Model: Safety Rifle, Caliber: .22, Barrel Length: 18 Inches, Finish: Long Gun - Don`t Know, SN: NONE

Markings:
It has the Henry Markus Quackenbush Herkimer NY but it is on the top of the swing action instead of below on the side. It all does not include patent information that you normally see

Question:
I recently purchased an old Quackenbush 22 rifle through auction. I have hit a dead end trying to find out more about this rifle. I obviously know that it is the Quackenbush safety rifle but that is all. I am interested and trying to find out a year and model if possible. The oddest thing about it is on the stamp it contains the first line that you normally see that size Henry Marcus Quackenbush Herkimer New York USA but it does not contain the second line that has patent information. Also it is odd that this stamp sits on top of the Swing action are supposed to blow it on the side. Has anyone ever seen this before

Answer:
Melissa, In early 1871, Henry M. Quackenbush began manufacturing an air pistol of his own design, in a small frame building behind the Quackenbush family home. Demand for the Quackenbush air pistol turned out to be so great that in the autumn of the same year pistol manufacturing operations had to move to a larger building and four men were hired to keep up. Business continued to grow rapidly and in 1874, a new two-story frame building was erected, across the street from the Quackenbush family home and the business was moved there.

The first Quackenbush .22 rifle was produced in 1886, and again a larger factory was needed. This time the new building was brick and had three stories and a basement. New machinery, tools and appliances were installed and the work force was increased to one hundred men.

Quackenbush sold several models:

Safety Rifle

Junior Safety Rifle

Bicycle Rifle

Rifles often came boxed with an included cleaning rod. Original boxes, cleaning rods and other accessories can significantly add to the value.

Small arms manufacturing continued at the Quackenbush factory until early World War II when production was discontinued so the entire plant could be converted to the manufacture of steel cores for .50 caliber machine gun bullets. After WWII armament production was discontinued and the business changed over completely to the manufacture of nutpicks, nutcrackers and seafood forks which the company had been manufacturing as a sideline since 1878 and still manufactures today. Marc

16333 - REMINGTON MODEL 1858 REVOLVER DATE OF MANUFACTURE
11/3/2020
Gary Bradenton FL

Maker: Remington, Model: New Model 1858, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Rusty, SN: 14010

Question:
What was the date of manufacture?

Answer:
Gary- Remington was making both Army (.44 caliber) and Navy (.36 caliber) revolvers during the Civil War, and if it is .36 caliber it was probably early 1862, and if .44 caliber then early 1863, but the exact month may be hard to pin down. Donald Ware`s ``Remington Army and Navy Revolvers 1861-1888`` is the best reference on these, but figuring out serial number ranges requires some effort. John Spangler

16379 - Femaru Model M1937 Pistol
11/3/2020
Todd

Maker: ?, Model: Pistole M37 KAL 7.65mm, Caliber: 7.65, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 2183

Markings:
Jvh41

Question:
Was wondering what it is worth. Have done research as that it is Hungarian made and that the four digest serial number meant that there was only about 4000 made also have 2 mags that say P Mod 37. I can not find a price. It looks almost new

Answer:
Todd, the Femaru Model M1937 pistol was manufactured by Femaru-Fegyver-es Gepgyar R. T. of Budapest, Hungary. Many more than 4000 of these pistols were produced, there were approximately 200,000 of them made from 1937 to 1944-1945.

M1937 sides that were manufactured under German supervision are marked "Pistole M.37, CAL 7.65 mm jhv 41" or "P.MOD. 37, KAL. 7.65 jhv 41" on the left hand side. These model M1937 pistols should also be marked with Eagle over 58, Eagle over WaA58 or Eagle over WaA173 on left trigger guard web.

Your magazines should have serial numbers that match number of the pistol. The magazine numbers are stamped on the bottom of the magazine but they are difficult to see and easily overlooked unless one is specifically looking for them.

M37 pistols were well made and they are popular with collectors. Jan C. Still's book, "Axis Pistols" book indicates that most of the jhv 41 variation M37 pistols went to the Luftwaffe. All the reported M37 holsters bear Luftwaffe acceptance stamps; however, it is probable that some of the jhv 43 variation went to the German Army. In all, about 80,000 M37's were procured by the German military.

I would estimate value for a M37 pistol in "almost new" condition to be in the $650 to $750 range, if at least one of the magazines has a matching serial number. If both magazines have matching numbers value is in the upper end of the range. If neither magazine matches, maybe around $550. Marc

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