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16560 - Merry Christmas From John And Marc.
12/25/2021

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

Answer:

It's Christmas again and we hope you are spending time with family and friends, laughing, enjoying each other's company, and eating good food.

Please remember our troops who are still overseas this weekend. Let's not forget their sacrifice as they're away from their families. If you know someone who is serving, please give them a big thank you and a Merry Christmas.

If Santa forgot to bring that special gift, we just might have it! Check all of our catalog pages to see if there is something that maybe you should have asked for... but forgot to. Then let us know and we can do the job when you're in town, or something festive like that.

John and Marc would like to thank all of our visitors, customers, old friends and new friends that we have made this year for helping us have a great 2021. We appreciate your support, business, the questions that you send us and your friendship. We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

16554 - Remington 31
12/21/2021
Steven Alvarado Texas

Maker: Remington500, Model: 31, Caliber: 20g, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Shotgun (Non-Military) - Blue, SN: 500442

Markings:
The barrel is stamped WB.

Question:
Its a 20ga pump shotgun that belonged to by grandmother. The barrel is stamped WB. According to the stamp chart its either a 1933 or 1955. It could quite honestly go either way unless there is something to the serial number. Just trying to figure out its age.

Answer:
Steven- The Remington Model 31 was an excellent gun, made to compete with Winchester`s Model 12.

The Model 31 was based on the John M. Browning designed Model 17, but adapted for side ejection by Remington`s engineers. They were made from 1931 to 1949, with about 121,000 in 12 GA, and 75,000 in 16 or 20 GA. Later, the Model 31 became the basis for Mossberg`s Model 500, which has also proven to be an excellent gun.

I am pretty sure that they started serial numbers off at 1 for the 12 GA, and may have used the same series for bot the 12 GA and smaller guns, or maybe the smaller guns used a separate range. In any case, a serial number of 500,442 is way too high for a Model 31, so I suspect that is a typo with an extra digit. It the number is around 50,000 that was the range being used for the 12 GA guns circa 1942. However, a ``WB`` barrel code would be correct for 1933. That is about all I can tell you. Hope it helps. John Spangler

16553 - 1903 Springfield Barrel
12/18/2021

Maker: Springfield, Model: 1903, Caliber: 30-06, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: 313663

Question:
I recently acquired a older 1903 Springfield SN 313663. The condition of the exterior is excellent however the barrel is badly pitted and was rusty, I`d say 60%. Would it ruin the rifle if I replaced the barrel and do you know where I can get an original barrel in better condition.

Answer:
Your rifle was originally made in 1907, and if EVERYTHING is original to time of manufacture, it would seriously hurt the value to replace the barrel. However, it is very likely that the gun has been totally rebuilt one or more times and if so, then replacing the barrel is not that big a deal, and a shootable bore may raise the value.

Please send some photos, including one of the date on the barrel behind the front sight and I will be able to give better advice. I have some barrels, but would need to see photos of your gun before recommending if any would be suitable.

Hope that helps. John Spangler

16550 - Francis Dumoilin No.252
12/11/2021
Jonathan Rosholt SD. United States

Maker: Francis Dumoilin, Model: No.252, Caliber: 32 Cal, Barrel Length: 3 Inch, Finish: Handgun - Don`t Know, SN: NO SERIAL NUMBER MAYBE 29

Markings:
Has all marks of a no. 251 Francis Dumoilin. Its a 32 caliber 5 shot revolver all in working condition. Idk for sure if it is nickel or stainless. On top of barrel says use smith and Wesson metallic cartridges for this model

Question:
Want to know if collectible and what is it worth please

Answer:
Jonathan, I searched the internet and all of my reference books and I have been unable to come up with any information on your Francis Dumoilin No.252 revolver. My guess (which comes with a full money back guarantee) is that it is an inexpensive Saturday Night Special type revolver. In any case there is not much collector interest in most old .32 revolvers so the value will probably be low. Marc.

16549 - Browning T-Bolt
12/4/2021
Roy Springfield OR. USA

Maker: Browning, Model: T-Bolt, Caliber: .22LR, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Long Gun - Blue, SN: ?

Question:
Interested in the general history of the early Browning T-Bolt rifles.

Answer:
Roy, I have never owned one of these rifles so I have to check my firearms library. References indicate that 22 T-Bolt rifles had a straight pull action that was locked by a pivoting bar in the bolt mechanism. T-Bolt T-1 rifles were manufactured from 1965 to 1974 by FN, they had a 5 shot magazine, 22 inch barrel, adjustable rear sight, plain pistol grip stock and weighed 5.5 lbs. T-Bolt T-2 rifles were similar to the T-1 models, only with select checkered walnut stock (lacquer finished), pinned front sight blade, 24 in. barrel, and weighed 6 lbs. The bolt handle was at the rear right side of the receiver, and the manual safety catch on the tang locked the trigger and bolt. The receiver top was grooved for optical-sight mounts. The rifles could feed 22LR rimfire ammunition from the magazine, but could fire 22 Short or Long if cartridges were loaded individually into the chamber; a special magazine-block could ease the feeding of single rounds. It is said that the T-Bolt rifle was never especially successful, it was replaced in the mid 1970s by a rimfire version of the A-Bolt.

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