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.

15367 - Smith Corona With Scope
4/30/2016
Brian

Maker: Smith Corona, Model: M1903A3, Caliber: 30-06, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Parkerize, SN: ?

Question:
This afternoon I had purchased a Smith-Corona M1903A3 from a local dealer, as I was out and looking for some antique rifles. She was mounted with what appears to be a scope called "The Texan" by the Norman-Ford & CO. which is a single post sight which I believe is at 2.2x magnification, but I am no-where near an expert on scopes. With this mounted scope, which I was exploring my rifle today and noticed after I had bought it, which was a rookie mistake on my part, I noticed that I was missing my rear sight. So, I was looking around online and I had stumbled onto your website and I saw that you folks were offering the ability to find parts for M1903A3, specifically Smith-Coronas. So I was just shooting an email over more or less inquiring whether or not such a part would be obtainable.

Answer:
Brian, I am afraid that I have some bad news. I have not seen this rifle but it is a good bet that if it has a scope mounted, the receiver has probably had holes drilled in it to accept the screws for the scope mount. Even if you were to replace the rear sight, the receiver would still have the holes so your Smith Corona would not be original. I do not have a rear sight for sale but even if I did, it would probably be a waste of time and money to purchase and reinstall it. Marc

15396 - Remington Model 1871 Pistol Serial Number
4/30/2016
Richard

Maker: Remington, Model: M1871, Caliber: 50, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
I recently obtained a M1871 Remington .50 cal. single shot pistol. I cannot find a serial number on it. I wonder if it is internal? Or is this a pre-production pistol? Or were they made without serial #'s? Thanks.

Answer:
Richard- These do not have an external serial number (nor did the M1870 trapdoors or 1871/1872 Rolling block rifles being made at Springfield at that time.) I think (but am not certain) that the pistols may have a Remington serial number on the lower gripstrap but you have to remove the grips to find it, and I am not sure how useful it will be to have it anyway. The earlier U.S. Model 1866 pistols made for the U.S. Navy DID have serial number on the bottom of the barrel, visible just ahead of the wooden forend. Hope that helps. John Spangler

15361 - Wartme PP Serial Number Info
4/26/2016
Don,Sebring,Fl

Maker: Walther, Model: PP, Caliber: 7.65, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 102943P

Question:
manufacture date

Answer:

Don,

Here is some serial number information for wartime Walther PP production.

Year	From	To
1929	7500xx
1930	7501xx	7574xx
1931	7669xx
1932	7730xx
1933	8005xx	8057xx
1934	8118xx	8120xx
1935	8160xx	8178xx
1936	8893xx	9426xx
1937	9674xx	9773xx
1938	9833xx	100xxxx	1455xxP
1939	1555xxP	1563xxP
1940	1576xxP	2032xxP
1941	2153xxP	2202xxP
1942	2250xxP	2826xxP
1943	2879xxP
1944	2889xxP	3747xxP
1945	3802xxP	3906xxP

Hope this helps, Marc

15395 - 90mm Casing
4/26/2016
Doyle Orangeville, CA

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

Question:
My father gave me the butt-end of a 90mm casing he found and thought may have been fired during the Battle of Eniwetok Island in WW2. He worked there in the 70's as fire chief. The shell reads: 90mm 19 - Lot 5121 - 23 C.B. & C. Co. 1941. I was wondering if there's any way to research the lifetime of this particular piece of ordnance; from point of manufacture to its destination in the Pacific theater and (possibly) when and where and from what ship or, land based piece of artillery from which it was fired. I'd like to identify all its particulars and thought/hoped you might be able to suggest possibly ways of researching this artifact of WW2. I'll appreciate any information you might be able to relate.

Answer:
Doyle- Ammunition is not tracked at the individual round level, but only as quantities, and by lot number. The lot numbers are assigned to a type of round loaded at a specific plant as a batch, usually several thousand rounds. However, components such as the brass cases may be made in even larger lots with their own lot numbers, so a single case lot number may end up being used in several different lots of loaded ammunition. After initial shipment to a storage depot, loaded ammo would be shipped to fill requisitions which may vary from a large order filled will all of one lot number and perhaps more from other lots as well. Other orders may be smaller, for a few dozen or hundred rounds and one lot can end up going to many different units.

The 90mm M19 case was used by the 90mm anti-aircraft guns, and also with the M36 Tank Destroyer and later tanks, although projectile and powder loads varied as well as the final designation for the loaded rounds. Thus, your case may be associated with any of those weapons systems.

The original case was about 24 inches long, and you mention this is just a short one. Most likely it was cut down for use as an ash tray or something, but some were arsenal cut to about 6" long for use as blanks.

So, there is no way to track the history of this item. John Spangler

15360 - P.38 Information
4/23/2016
David, Warwick, RI

Maker: Walther, Model: P 38, Caliber: 9mm, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 9624B

Markings:
Looks like Luftwaffe winged marking on pistol and holster

Question:
When was this pistol produced, informed it is a rare production, any help is appreciated.

Answer:
We need more information about the markings on your pistol. The maker code should be stamped on the left side of the slide and will almost always be the letters ac for Walther, byf for Mauser, and cyq for Spreewerk. A few pistols will have the number 660 on the left side and these are extremely rare. A few Mauser pistols dated 45 will have the code SVW rather than byf. These are also rare. The Walther and Mauser pistols will have the year that they made stamped on the left side, except a small number (less than 3000) Walther pistols that have no date. These are the rarest of all P38's.

The three makers turned out over 3 million P38's for the German military so P38's are not usually a rare pistol. As I mentioned above those stamped with 660, SVW or with no date are rare. The other rare P38's are those made for the German police in 1943 and 1944. These will have a proof eagle on the right side of the slide with the letter C or L besides the firing proof. Again only a few thousand were made. Marc

15391 - Union Arms Revolver
4/23/2016
Steve

Maker: Union Arms Company, Model: ?, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
I have a Union Arms Company revolver. I would like more info about it. All I know is it is from sometime between 1857-186? The serial is 8841 and there is 341 stamped near the loading arm. I THINK it might be a model 3a , .31 cal 6 shot. But that is all I can find out. There seems to be next to nothing about the Union Arms Co anywhere. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

Answer:
Steve- I regret that I really do not know anything more than might be found in Flayderman's Guide on this subject. Just not an area that I have ever gotten into, so I have no reference material that you cannot find on line (and probably have already looked at). Sorry! John Spangler

15359 - Restoring A Sporterized M1917
4/19/2016
Don

Maker: Remington, Model: M1917, Caliber: 30-06, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
I might be able to place my hands on a nice sporterized M1917 and I am looking for an original stock. Is it worth the trouble converting it back? Thanks for your help!

Answer:
Don, original M1917 stocks in good condition are scarce these days. I have not seen this rifle so I can not say for sure but it is a good bet that on top of needing a stock, you will probably need both barrel bands and both front and back handguards. On top of that, you may need to find sights, buttplate, sling swivels and misc other parts depending on what was done to the rifle when it was sporterized. The parts that I mentioned will also be hard to find and fairly expensive. I would recommend finding all of the parts that you need before purchasing the Remington M1917. Marc

15390 - Rogers Slocumb New Orleans Long Rifle
4/19/2016
Colton

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

Question:
I am reaching out in hopes of finding some information on a gun. I have a contact who has a Rogers Slocomb New Orleans .41 cal Long Rifle. The man tells me it is worth a substantial amount of money, but I cannot find much information on this gun. I know that it is from the 1820's, it's quite rare, and not much else.

I am hoping that maybe there is an expert on the receiving end of this email. I would be very grateful for any information you may have to share.

Answer:
Colton- Thanks for contacting Antique and Collectable Firearms and Militaria Headquarters.

The only info I have is from Frank Sellers' "American Gunsmiths" which states:

"Rogers, Slocumb & Co. New Orleans, Louisiana, 1822-1885. Percussion fullstocks, locks. Importer and dealer. Samuel B. Slocumb. Several other associated firms, see Samuel Slocumb."

That leads us to:

"Slocumb, Samuel B. New Orleans, Louisiana, 1822 d[irectory]-1885d[irectory]. With his son C.H. Slocumb as Slocumb & Slocumb. As Brownson, Hopkins & Slocumb. As Rogers, Slocomb & Co., and as many other names. Importers and dealers."

I cannot comment on the value, other than to say that I do not think it would automatically be worth a "substantial amount of money." Southern long rifles are interesting and may bring higher prices than Midwestern guns absent any notable decorative merit, or if they have documented Confederate usage. But, value is whatever a willing buyer and seller can agree on. John Spangler

15386 - Danzig 1830 Percussion Musket Dated 1830
4/12/2016
Germany

Maker: Danzig, Model: 1930, Caliber: UNK, Barrel Length: 39'', Finish: Don't Know, SN: 99.

Markings:
On Hammer side Plate A Crown, Danzig, 1830. on Butt Plate, 99., 4L.R.and 3C. on rear of Barrel (L.side) 1930. on top rear of Barrel 99.

Question:
I took this Mus. Loader in hopes that it has some Value. it is a Percussion Mus. Loader w/ Orig. Ramrod (I believe) all Brass Fittings and all Wood is in good Cond. I do not know what cal. she is. any help . Value, history, Ect -SC- Thanks D.

Answer:
Sir- Your musket is one of the Prussian muskets likely imported for use during the Civil War. These were around .69 to .71 caliber smoothbores. I don’t recall the exact model designation for these, but they were basically circa 1815-1820, with the actual date of manufacture marked on the buttplate along with the abbreviations for the unit to which it was assigned. These were converted to percussion around 1840, but rendered obsolete with the Prussian adoption of the Dreyse “Zundnaedelgewehre” needle gun in 1841. So, when Yankee and Confederate agents came shopping for muskets in 1861 the Prussians were delighted to unload all the old fashioned stuff. These were good solid muskets, although neither especially liked or criticized during the Civil War, but being smoothbore muskets were certainly obsolete. Values are modest, and I usually see average condition examples priced around $650-850 retail. John Spangler

15338 - How Do I Put The Dust Cover On My T-99?
4/12/2016

Maker: Japan, Model: T-99, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
Hi - I purchased a dust cover for my T-99 but I can not put it on, can you help please?

Answer:
As you've already found out, dust covers can be difficult to put on correctly. Look at the receiver and identify the two grooves the dust cover rides in. I would suggest you slide the dust cover, without the bolt, into those grooves to be sure it fits and slides easily. Then put the dust on the bolt and get the bolt aligned so it slides into the receiver. This is the tricky part because the bolt wants to wobble and this will misalign the dust cover with their slots. You may have to do this a few times till the dust cover is seated in its slots and the bolt is also in place. Marc

15385 - Enfield Markings
4/12/2016
John, Palestine, Texas, USA.

Maker: Enfield, Model: R.F.I. 1968, Caliber: 7.62, Barrel Length: 25¨, Finish: Blue, SN: Z4852

Markings:
¨S¨ an up arrow followed by ¨A¨ on the right side of the stock. A crown over crossed flags with a 'P' in the bottom for the cross.

Question:
What is the significance of the ¨S up arrow A¨?

Answer:
John- The "broad arrow" marking has been a British military property marking for several centuries. Many British commonwealth nations used variations as their military property marking. The Canadians use the broad arrow within a large "C" or in early days between the letters "D" and "C" for Dominion of Canada. New Zealand has it between the letters "N" and "Z". Australia used the arrow within the letter "D" or between two "D" letters or between the letters "A" and "F" for Australian Forces. The Queensland government of Australia used the arrow between the letters "Q" and "G". South Africa, in the days of the Cape Government used the arrow between "C" and "G" and later as the Union of South Africa an arrow within a "U". The Indian government used a variety of marks under British colonial rule and post-1948 as an independent nation- these include the arrow between "S" and "A" over "I"; the arrow between "M" and "D" over "P"; arrow between "I" and "C" over "I". Anyone seeking to understand or decipher the myriad of markings on Lee Enfields needs to own a copy of Ian Skennerton's superb "Lee-Enfield Story". Although specifically aimed at the Lee Enfield, it is valuable background that can often tell a lot about other British arms. John Spangler

15321 - Late WWII Japanese T-94
4/9/2016

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

Question:
I have a pistol that my father purchased in Japan during his tour in WWII. It has Japanese writing so I don't know what it is. I need to know what it is worth.

Answer:
Sandi, your pistol is a late WWII Japanese T-94. The Type 94 was designed by Kijiro-Nambu in 1934, in response to army requests for an 8mm pistol for airmen, tank crews, and others for whom the standard T-14 pistol was too bulky. The type designation reflects a change in Japanese nomenclature, after 1930, the system was based upon calendar year instead of reign-periods, and 1934 was `2594` in Japan. The Type 94 chambered the standard 8mm T-14 cartridge and relied on a vertically-moving block to lock the slide and barrel together at the instant of firing. The block is cammed out of engagement during a short recoil stroke. The sear is exposed on the left side of the frame, allowing the hammer to be released if a cocked pistol is carelessly handled.

Enthusiasts recognize many variations of the T-94. Your pistol is a late war model that was manufactured in September of 1944 at the Nagoya Nambu-Koubunji factory. The condition looks like it is pretty good. I would estimate retail value to be in the $750 - 795 range.

15358 - Titanic Handgun
4/5/2016
Brandon Las Vegas, NV

Maker: Unsure, Model: 1914 Titanic Patent, Caliber: 7.65, Barrel Length: Unsure, Finish: Blue, SN: AS05042

Markings:
On the right side of the lower receiver, slide, and barrel by ejection port there in an N with what looks to be a crown. Suhl? On the left side of the slide it says 765(65 is underlined) 1914 Automatic Pistols. Underneath that it says ''Titanic'' Patent. Before and after each description there are markings, one can be described as spike or long triangle (like candy corn) the other directly below it can be described as a bow tie. The markings face towards the lettering.

Question:
Just want to know what this is and the history behind it. I recently inherited this upon my grandfathers passing. Do not want to sell just information on the history of the firearm and/or maker.

Answer:
Brandon, I was able to find information about two different pistols that were sold under the Titanic name. Both pistols were Spanish made copies of the Browning 1906 which were introduced about 1914. One Titanic pistol was manufactured by Retolaza Hermanos, it had a recessed rib on the top of the breech-block portion of the slide. The slide inscription read '6.35 1914 Model Automatic Pistol Titanic Eibar'. On the grips was the word 'Titanic' over a circle, with an 'RH' monogram, flanked by 'Cal 7.65'.

It is unsure who manufactured the other Titanic pistol, but it may have been Francisco Arizmendi. These pistols had a smooth toped slide that bore the inscription '1914 Model Automatic Pistol 7.65 Titanic Patent', and on the grips, a shield with the monogram 'FA' inside trade mark.

Collector interest in this type of pistol is just about nill, they often sell at gunshows for less than $100. Marc

15356 - Winchester Model 1892 Value
4/2/2016
Gene, Frederic, Wi

Maker: Winchester 94, Model: 1892, Caliber: 25 20, Barrel Length: 15 3/4, Finish: Blue, SN: 338801

Question:
What is the value and when was it manufactured.

Answer:
Gene, your Model 1892 was manufactured in 1906. The value of your rifle is impossible to determine without a physical examination. As an estimate, the Model 92 in .25-20 will generally sell between two and three hundred if it has been modified or is in rough condition. Pristine examples that have desirable features will generally sell in the one thousand dollar range, with the average rifle selling between four and six hundred dollars.

15296 - Spencer .56-52 Ammunition
4/2/2016
Derek

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

Question:
Hello, Just got some Spencer ammunition. I know they are made by UMC but who were they made for or who used them? Thanks.

Answer:
Derek- During the Franco Prussian War of 1870, the French bought huge quantities of surplus arms from the United States. Many were already on the surplus market having been sold off from the vast stockpiles left after the Civil War. But, the U.S. Ordnance Department was reeling from the post-war "peace dividend" which had slashed funding to almost nothing, at a time when most of their arsenals were still overflowing with mostly obsolete muzzle loaders and a potluck assortment of surrendered ex-Confederate arms.

They saw an opportunity to cash out by selling as much as they could to the French, and did so, mostly via sweetheart exclusive deals with Schuyler, Hartley and Graham. The French were suckers for just about anything that was a breechloader, and they ended up taking huge numbers of Spencers (mostly .56-56 and .56-52, but only a few of the more or less standardized .56-50 arms the Army was still using. They also got at least half of the single shot Joslyn rifles (1,500 of which Springfield converted from rimfire to centerfire for them), lots of Model 1866 .50-70 trapdoor rifles which had been rendered obsolete by the shorter Model 1868 and 1870 trapdoors, and Springfield even overhauled and assembled some new just to sell to France and turn their massive inventory of obsolete or excess parts and rifles into complete arms which they could sell for cash. They also came up with the excuse that the rear sights were "too close to the breech" on 10,000 rolling block rifles they had just made for the Navy and sold them off too, at a profit!. (Then they turned around and made 12,000 new rifles slightly different barrel and sight configurations from the money they had received from the initial 10,000!).

My friend Ed Hull did a great article on these in Gun Report (circa 2002?) on the sales to the French. (Might have been Man at Arms, not 100% sure). There is also a French language book with a title something like "Arme au Feu de la Americans" which is an excellent account. My friend Roy Marcot's Spencer Firearms book has a lot on the French use of Spencers and their ammo as well. Hope that helps. John Spangler

Return to Collectors Headquarters.