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15096 - Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine
5/30/2015
David, Wellsville, KS

Maker: U.S. Springfield, Model: 1873, Caliber: .45-70, Barrel Length: 22'', Finish: Don't Know, SN: 29074

Markings:
29074 stamped at rear top of Breech, 22 stamped in top of wood Stock behind Trigger.

Question:
First of all, you guys have a great website. I have a U.S. Springfield Model 1873 that will be sold at auction out of my Dad's Estate on April 11th. Because of the 22'' Barrel length is this a ''Calvary Carbine''?

Answer:
David- Without actually handling your gun, it is hard to tell if it started off as a rifle or carbine. The barrel length (22 inches measured from the face of the breechblock to the muzzle) is correct for a carbine. Records indicate that there were both carbines and rifles made in that serial number range. Many rifles have been cut to carbine length over the years, some just for fun shooters or hunting, others to deceive buyers into thinking they are getting a carbine, so it is hard to tell without handling the gun. Good luck with the auction! John Spangler

15158 - RFV PP
5/30/2015
Amber, Salt Lake Utah

Maker: Walther, Model: PP, Caliber: 7.65, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Don't Know, SN: 114550P

Markings:
N over crown stamp and RFV 15255 W

Question:
I understand this gun was issued to someone within the Reichs Finanz Verwaltung or Reich Finance Administration (Reichfinanzverwaltung). I am trying to see if there is documentation naming the person this gun was issued to. I believe ''RFV 15255W'' is the department and the number is a number issued to a particular person. Is this correct? Can I find out who this number was issued to?

Answer:
Amber, you have done your homework on the pistol. The RFV marked PP pistols are well known to collectors. The finance ministry actually was responsible for collection of customs at the border so it is believed that many of these pistols were issued to border guards tasked to extracting money from companies shipping items into Germany.

Concerning your question as far as I can determine no one has ever found any information connecting a specific pistol to a specific person. A great many records were destroyed during the war by our bombers, and after the war the chaos did not lend itself to the preservation of records, at this time I'm not aware of any records that would make such a link possible. I wish there were because I also own an RFV marked PP. Marc

15151 - Positive Special Value
5/26/2015
Harold Uniontown Pa.

Maker: Colt, Model: Police Positive Special, Caliber: 32-20 Wcf, Barrel Length: 4 Inch, Finish: Blue, SN: 282388

Markings:
Patent dates on top of barrel. Aug.5 1884 June 6 1900 July 4 1906

Question:
Handgun is in very good condition, looks nearly new. Could you give me a value ? Thank you, HB

Answer:
Harold, your revolver was manufactured in 1923. The Police Positive is a well-made gun but it is chambered for the .32 Colt cartridge, which is very hard to find. That was the only model gun which used it and it has been obsolete for many years. You may find a box or two at a cartridge collector show or buried in the back room of an old gun store, but I do not recall seeing any for sale in many years. There is no safe substitute cartridge which you could use, and you cannot even reload any without a supply of empty cases.

For shooters, these revolvers are not much good without ammo. This is one of the reasons that the model can be found at extremely low prices (often under $150 for superb condition examples). Sorry that I was not able to provide you with better news. Marc

15092 - William Clifford Smith Invention
5/26/2015
Don, Shawnee, KS

Maker: ?, Model: William Clifford Smith, Caliber: 30, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Don't Know, SN: ?

Question:
My Great Grand Father was William Clifford Smith and I have a photo of him and 2 others (Jos. Turnoch and Chas Walters) from about 1923. The 3 are pictured with a machine that WC Smith invented - a ''Machine for forming paper container(s) for Cal 30 Primers. I haven't been able to find any information on the machine, and was wondering if anyone has heard of it or know anything about it. Thanks! don4628@msn.com

Answer:
Don- The only thing I can find on William Clifford Smith is that a man of that name from Philadelphia, PA, was granted a patent for a pipe hanger in 1905.

I am not familiar with any “paper containers for caliber .30 primers” but there may have been some sort of papier-mâché version of the wooden tray used for packing primers for commercial sale, or some sort of container for bulk shipment. Since primer making was pretty much a specialty operation limited to Frankford Arsenal, Winchester, Remington and perhaps one or two other ammunition makers, he may have been a worker associated with one of those facilities.

Frankly, it sounds like one of the millions of neat ideas where people invent something for which there is no real market, so while their innovation is remarkable, the actual invention never amounted to anything. John Spangler

15123 - Swedish Mauser
5/23/2015
Jared, Auburn Ga. USA

Maker: Carl Gustafs Stads, Model: Not Sure, Caliber: Not Sure, Barrel Length: 30 Inches Ish, Finish: Blue, SN: 204322

Markings:
A crown above the words ''Carl Gustafs Stands Gevarsfaktori 1907'' there is also a brass medallion inlaid into the right side of the stock with lots of numbers and a few words ''torped'' and ''Overslag'' ''str''

Question:
what type of gun is this and what would the value be to another collector and what would the insurance value be and any history on this gun would be wonderful it has 100% matching numbers and all original parts except for the rear sling attachment point

Answer:
Jared, you have what is referred to as a Swedish Mauser. It is patterned on the Mauser Model 1893 bolt action that cocks on the opening stroke. The 30 inch barrel means it is the standard Model G96. About 535,000 of the long barrel rifles were made at the Carl Gustafs arms factory. (The first one were made by Mauser in German.)

In the 1990's Sweden sold these into the international arms market and many thousand were imported to the U.S. Since the Swedes have not had to fight anyone for well over 100 years most were in excellent (almost new) condition. Current prices are hard to determine but the Blue Book of Gun Values lists the Model 1896 at $600 for a absolutely new rifle, and $400 for a 95% condition rifle. We see them at gun shows selling in the $300 to $400 range. I'm not aware of any history on the use of any of these rifles. They are well made and quite accurate. Marc

15088 - Sharps 1859 Carbine
5/23/2015
Gary, Cape Coral, Fl

Maker: Sharps, Model: 1859 Carbine, Caliber: .52, Barrel Length: 22 Inches, Finish: Don't Know, SN: 46372

Question:
Can You Tell Me The Date Of Manufacture Of This Rifle? Thanks.

Answer:
Gary- The Model 1859 carbine was made between 1859 and 1863, but I do not have an exact date of manufacture, nor do I know if or where such information might be found. The NRA museum has M1859 carbine serial number 45479 which was captured November 7, 1863 from Confederate forces at Rappahannock Station (“Remington”) Virginia. Presumably the Confederates had captured it from Union cavalrymen earlier. Records do show some in that general serial number range being issued in May, 1863, so a good guess might be that yours was made in late 1862 or more likely early 1863. John Spangler

15122 - Walther Model 4 Found In Attic
5/19/2015
Gregory, Islip, NY, USA

Maker: Walther, Model: 4, Caliber: .32, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Don't Know, SN: 150559

Markings:
None

Question:
Gun was found in my attic. Would like to know if it has any value.

Answer:
Gregory, it took Walther quite some time to put the Model 4 into production, introduction was scheduled to happen in 1910 but records indicate that the model did not become available until about 1915. The model 4 was one of the first firearms to be manufactured in the newly-extended Walther factory.

The Model 4 was a larger design than its predecessors and it was probably developed with sales to police departments and the military in mind. The design was based on the earlier Model 3 but it had a longer grip which would accept an eight-round magazine instead of the previous six-round type, and a barrel that was lengthened from 67 mm to 85 mm. The slide was another part that was based on the Model 3 and it was extended to accommodate the longer barrel. The earliest Model 4 pistols came from the factory equipped with left-over Model 3 slides.

It is estimated that well over 100,000 Model 4 pistols were purchased by German army officers and other military personal during the First World War. Model 4 Production continued after the end of WWI until about 1923.

The blue book lists values for Walther Model 4 pistols between $80 and $250 depending on condition. If you decide to sell, it may pay to check your pistol closely as it has been my experience that these pistols are more valuable and far easier to sell if they have military markings. Marc

15086 - Kentucky Rifle Identification
5/19/2015
Reading, Pennsylvania

Maker: Unknown, Model: Kentucky Long Rifle, Caliber: Unknown, Barrel Length: Unknown, Finish: Rusty, SN: NONE

Markings:
Has a dot with line from the dot like a sun or maybe an explosion on the top of the barrel.. Will take pictures in the future, also looks very similar to the Reading, Pennsylvania rifle Mike D`Ambra talked about on the History of the Long Rifle part 2. Has the ornate brass on the stock

Question:
My friend wants to know more about who made the rifle.. It doesn't have a signature or letters but has markings including a dot with lines outward like a sun or explosion on top of the barrel, also a couple of circles, etc.. I will try to come up with a picture for the future. It doest have the fancy brass patch lock on the stock... Would like to contact Mike D`ambra with questions..

Answer:
Sir- Many, perhaps even most, Pennsylvania or Kentucky rifle were not signed by the maker. However, many can be attributed to a known maker or at least a geographic region by various characteristics. Rifles tend to follow the examples of other makers in a region or “school.” At first glance all Kentucky rifles may look the same, but subtle differences in the shape of the stock, the design of the sideplate, the design elements of the patchbox (if any) widths and curvature of the buttplate, and the like can provide a lot of clues to an expert. Mike D’Ambra is an expert on the subject of Kentucky rifles, and he would be a good person to contact. He advertises regularly in Man At Arms and Arms Heritage magazines, but I do not know if he has a website. He is a very nice guy, but he travels a lot, so he may be hard to track down. John Spangler

15120 - Win Mod 12
5/16/2015
Erik Mesa, AZ

Maker: Winchester, Model: 1912, Caliber: 12 Gauge, Barrel Length: 30'', Finish: Nickel, SN: 53320

Question:
I was just wondering the manufacture date and value of my grandpas old shotgun! ?Winchester 1912 12 gauge, nickel steel, full choke, all original, good condition (shows wear of course) serial# 53320. Also, what shells today are safe to fire out of it, if any?

Answer:
Erik, Model 12 shotguns cannot handle steel shot so demand for them in the shooting community has dwindled. Value in the blue book for standard 12 gauge shotguns ranges from about $200 to $750 depending on condition. For Winchester manufacture dates, follow the link on the OldGuns.net menu. Marc

15084 - Kirkland’s Gun Muzzle Loader
5/16/2015
Rodney Hahira, Ga

Maker: Kirkland`s Guns, Model: Muzzleloader, Caliber: Don't Know, Barrel Length: 31'', Finish: Blue, SN: 371

Markings:
Made In Belgium

Question:
Please tell me the approximate age of this gun and its approximate value. I know nothing about it other than the fact that my daddy acquired it about 40 years ago and it was used when he received it.

Answer:
Rodney- I am not sure who made your gun, but it may be a very early gun sold by Turner Kirkland who started Dixie Gun Works, and was one of the very early dealers in replica black powder firearms made in Belgium or Italy for the American market. Although there may be a tiny bit of collector interest among the people who collect replica black powder guns, I think this will be mostly valued for decorative use or as a shooter. John Spangler

15119 - Marlin Camp Rifles
5/12/2015
jerry

Maker: Marline, Model: Camp Rifle, Caliber: 9mm, Barrel Length: 16in, Finish: Blue, SN: 12802662

Markings:
None

Question:
What year was this rifle made

Answer:
jerry, as the name suggests, Marlin camp rifles were designed as utility firearms to be used around hunting camps. The model was manufactured in both 9mm Parabellum and .45 ACP calibers and it was designed to be able to make use of the same magazines as popular handguns in those calibers. Stocks were walnut-finished birch and receivers were usually drilled and tapped for scope mounts.

I do not have any serial information on Camp riles, the best that I can tell you is that they were manufactured from 1985 to 1999. Marc

15083 - Enfield “ Conversion ” With Arabic Marking
5/12/2015
Gerald, Swansboro NC.

Maker: 1853 Enfield Conversion, Model: Conversion, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: ?

Markings:
Has an Arabic or Farsi mark on the trigger guard.

Question:
In as much as you are one of the main players in the sale of Civil War guns, I hope I may direct a question to you. During the American Civil War as many as 1 million 1853 Enfield Rifle conversions were purchased by both the South and the North. Is it conceivable that a portion of these rifles would carry the Arabic or Farsi marking on the trigger guard, or were they ALL British made? Your answer is of much importance to me as I consider you an expert in this field. My best regards, Jerry Swansboro, NC

Answer:
Gerald- I am easily confused, and you have succeeded in doing that. You start by asking about an Enfield “conversion” which I assume is the Snider breechloading conversion with a breech block that is hinged to open to the side. Many of those ended up in the middle east and acquired Arabic or Farsi markings during their service there. Many of those have been brought into the U.S. over the years, and especially since troops in Afghanistan have been allowed to ship home souvenir antique firearms. There has also been the huge cache of arms brought here from Nepal.

Now, the Snider conversions began in 1867, and the U.S. Civil War was between April 1861 and April 1865, so no Sniders were ever brought here for use in the Civil War. However, several hundred thousand, perhaps even a million of the .577 caliber muzzle loading Pattern 1853 Enfield were imported during the war, but NONE of those would have Arabic/Farsi markings.

Our other site, http://ArmsCollectors.com has a very useful table with numbers in seven different language formats. That may or may not help narrow down the exact language involved, although this only covers numbers, not other letters or symbols. My gut feeling is that you are looking at one of the rifles from Afghanistan, some of which are mostly original, but many are crude copies recently made specifically for the “tourist trade.” Hope that helps. John Spangler

15117 - Radom P-35
5/9/2015
Randy Prigge

Maker: Radom P35, Model: P 35, Caliber: 35, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: T3382

Markings:
35/77

Question:
Date of manufacturing and value. Has holster - 1944

Answer:
Randy, the Polish Government adopted the Radom pistol as their standard sidearm in about 1935. The name Radom refers to the city in Poland where the pistols were produced. The locking system was based on the Browning deigned, FN made High Power pistol with a locking lug attached to the back of the barrel. When the German conquered Poland in September 1939 the continued manufacture of the pistol and used it to arm their own military. The Steyr Arms Company of Austria provided inspectors and technicians to oversee the production, and as the Russians advanced into Poland in late 1944-45 production was moved to Austria.

I can't find my file of serial numbers by date, but the T in your serial number places it as made for the German Army. Your pistol should have a spread eagle holding a swastika on the frame, slide and barrel. These were Nazi proof marks. It should also have inspector's marks called Waffenamts with the number 623 or 77 under an eagle.

On the left side at the rear of the frame you may have a small level that is use to hold the slide back. On later pistols this was dropped. If this hold open lever is not present then the pistol is worth less. The slide has a serial number inside (you have to take the slide off and look at the inside, and on the barrel that matches the frame number. If the pistol is mismatched then value drops. Early Radoms with 95% or better finish, all matching numbers, and the hold open lever are selling in the $800 to $950 range where I live. Later ones with poorer finish are selling for $100 to $200 less. I've not dealt with holsters for these pistols much but would expect one in excellent condition to sell for $100 to $150. Marc

15082 - Dreyse Shotgun
5/9/2015
Toni, Tacoma, WA USA

Maker: F.V. Dreyse Sommerda, Model: Double Barrel Shot Gun, Caliber: .12, Barrel Length: 27, Finish: Other, SN: 21177

Markings:
Made in Prussia before April1, 1893. Barrels swing to side to open/load. One firing pin is missing

Question:
Would like to find more information

Answer:
Toni- We cannot help much with that one, as we know very little about shotguns. Friederich Von Dryese was the inventor of the “needle gun” early bolt action breech loading rifles used by the Germans to kick French butts in the Franco Prussian War of 1870. He designed a number of different types of firearms, including handguns, and likely shotguns, and also seems to have sold guns made by other makers. Sorry, I cannot tell you more than that. John Spangler

15110 - Gun Vlaue Links
5/5/2015
Durand Michigan

Maker: Durand M F G Co., Model: ?, Caliber: 22 Caliber, Barrel Length: 14 Inches, Finish: Blue, SN: ?

Question:
What is gun worth

Answer:
The following links are good resources to help you find a value for your Durand .22:

http://www.usedprice.com/index.html
https://bluebookofgunvalues.com/

Hope that this helps. Marc

15076 - Swiss Vetterli Bolt
5/5/2015
Robert, Mogadore,Oh,USA

Maker: Waffenfabrick,Bern,Swiss, Model: M 81, Caliber: .41, Barrel Length: 52'', Finish: Blue, SN: 215248

Markings:
Swiss marking on stock.

Question:
Need help finding the complete bolt action for it. I would like to know the history of the rifle if possible.

Answer:
Robert- The Swiss Vetterli rifles are pretty common on the collector market, and quite a few are found in cut down boogered condition. I suspect you can buy one of those pretty cheap and pull the bolt for your rifle, and sell the residue as a wall hanger for nearly as much as you paid for it. There is no source of usage information on these, but sometimes the Canton (state) marked the rifles, and sometimes individual Swiss reservists who took their issued rifle home with them would mark their name on a piece of paper and put it under the butt plate.

The best source of information on all Swiss rifles is the site http://swissrifles.com. Good luck! John Spangler

15102 - FN 32 Pistol
5/2/2015
Bobby Haughton La 71037

Maker: Fabriqe D''Armes, Model: De Guerre, Caliber: 7.65, Barrel Length: 4in, Finish: Blue, SN: 57378

Markings:
Hand grip has the word ROYAL on it

Question:
when and where was it made also I need a magazine clip for it` Whats the value`

Answer:
Bobby, your pistol was made by the famous FN factory (Fabrique Nationale) factory at Liege, Belgium. It may be a Model 1900 or Model 1910 based on the caliber and the barrel length. The Model 1900 has the barrel under a circular assembly that looks like another barrel. The Model 1910 has the recoil spring around the barrel, and looks more like a modern automatic pistol. Neither pistol are rare with many hundreds of thousand being made. I'm not sure what the marking Royal means, possibly the grips a replacements.

For parts, try checking with Gun Parts Corp (the old Numrich Arms people) at the following URL:

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/

Gun Parts Corp has just about everything. If that doesn't work, try posting it on our free "Wanted" page at the following URL:

http://oldguns.net/submitwn.htm

Marc

15075 - Henry Rifle Questions
5/2/2015
Michael, Sunset, TX

Maker: Henry, Model: 1866, Caliber: 44 Rimfire, Barrel Length: 24'' Octagon, Finish: Blue, SN: 125

Markings:
The barrel has the markings U -A- R on it. The serial number is stamped on the inside of the but plate and the bottom of the receiver.

Question:
The rifle has been in the family and passed down over the years from my great grandfather and I have tried to find out what I could about it. The original site was broke off but does not match any Henry rife I have seen so far. I have heard and read conflicting stories about the serial numbers on the Henry Rifle. What ever information on this rifle you could give me would be very much appreciated.

Answer:
Michael- Unfortunately, I do not know much about Henry rifles, but like any good history major, I do know where to find such information. The late Les Quick wrote an excellent book, “The Story of Benjamin Tyler Henry and His Famed Repeating Rifle.” Since Henry rifles routinely sell in the megabucks range ($25,000 seems to be a popular number but some bring a lot more depending on features I do not pretend to understand). It would be worth the $100 cost of the book to learn all you can about your rifle. You did not mention if you rifle has a brass frame like most Henrys, or if it has an iron frame, which is very rare and worth a lot more. Both apparently started with a serial number 1, so I cannot tell from the information provided.

The only UAR marking I know of would be for arms of the United Arab Republic circa 1950s, so we can rule that out. Many of the early Henry rifles were sold to individuals or volunteer units, at $42.00 each, a pretty good amount of money, when standard muskets were priced about $20.00 and Army privates were paid about $13 per month.

I recommend you do some genealogical research to see if your ancestor had any Civil War service, and that may lead to information about which units purchased Henry rifles, and such use would add a premium to the value of your rifle. John Spangler

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