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16571 - Cartridge Identification
3/26/2022

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

Question:
I need to get a good book to help me identify bullets. I tried to find posters online and a book by Chamberlain. I dont know if champerlains book has head stamps in it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer:
I think the Chamberlain book may be more about reloading tools than actual bullets or cartridges.

I recommend you sign on to the International Ammunition Association forum, and watch the posts there for a while. They also have a pretty good search tool to check on various calibers. The folks there are also very good about identifying just about any cartridge or bullet ever made anywhere from muzzle loaders and rimfires up to artillery stuff.

You will find quite a few cartridge books mentioned, and of course you can ask about your specific area of interest- military sporting, target, what country, what time period, or by a specific maker, etc.

https://forum.cartridgecollectors.org/latest

John Spangler

16569 - Hartford Firearm Co. 12 Gauge
3/19/2022
Steve

Maker: Hartford Firearm Co., Model: ?, Caliber: 12 Ga, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
I have a Hartford Firearm Co. 12 gauge double barrel, serial number: 171758 -SC- can you tell me the manufacture date, and history of gun if possible.

Answer:
Sir- Hartford Firearm Co. was a brand name used on guns made by Crescent Firearms Company for the Simmons Hardware Company of St. Louis circa 1930. Crescent made similar inexpensive guns with literally dozens of different brand names. They were mainly for the farm and ranch trade, not high grade guns for wealthy sportsmen, and as a result are usually pretty well used and abused. Most are NOT SAFE to shoot with modern ammunition. Hope that helps. John Spangler

16565 - Enfield Parts Source
3/12/2022
John Sinking Spring

Maker: Enfield, Model: No 4 Mk 1, Caliber: .303, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Long Gun - Other, SN: ?

Question:
Trying to restore an Enfield No 4 Mk1 that had been sporterized. Any idea where to look for a lower fore end that is not a modern repro Numrich and Sarco don`t have them. Thanks

Answer:
You might try Gunbroker.com or eBay as they turn up there occasionally. I saw two in an auction yesterday, misidentified as Mauser stocks, but one was fire damaged and the other for the No. 4 mark 2, so I did not bother to keep track of where they were. John

16566 - Possible Lunch Box Gun
3/1/2022
Pat Belgrade MT USA

Maker: V. Bernadelli, Model: Pocket Or Tote, Caliber: 22 Long Rifle, Barrel Length: 3 12, Finish: Handgun - Blue, SN: 1999

Markings:
None thats the problem.

Question:
I recently acquired a V. Bernadelli pocket pistol. Not the baby or vest version. Through some research it appears to be a 1952 to 1953 built pistol. It is similar to the target pistol but with a 3 12 inch barrel. Has the same walnut grips as the target pistol also. It is striker fired and I have seen it referred to as a Pre-model 60 version also. Anyway I have completely stripped the pistol and I cannot find any proof marks or roman numerals anywhere on the pistol other than the serial number which is also marked on numerous parts throughout the pistol. I have seen that maybe sometime lots were randomly tested and proofed instead of all of the guns within the lot so this maybe a possibility. The gun has not been refinished so the markings were not removed that way. Ideas on why no markings Additionally will the later model 60 magazine work with this version of the pistol Thanks for your help. Pat

Answer:
Pat- Thanks for asking, but you already know WAAAYY more about these than we do. The absence of proof marks is puzzling, and as far as I know, proofing of Italian made firearms was mandatory, not optional, and I do not agree with ``maybe they just test some out of a lot.`` My explanation, a guess, is that maybe it is a ``lunchbox`` gun that was taken off the line prior to proof testing, either as a complete gun, or as individual parts over time. Beyond that, we simply do not know enough to even guess. John Spangler

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