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16323 - Model 1917 Trench Knife
7/28/2020
john@earthlink.net

Maker: ?, Model: ?, Caliber: N/A, Barrel Length: N/A, Finish: ?, SN: NONE

Question:
A friend of mine recently picked up what appears to be a WW I era trench-type knife (knuckle guard) labeled "1917" with a triangular blade. Have you ever heard of these?

Answer:
In the trench warfare of WW-I close combat often ensued, the US Army developed the ''trench knife'' to be used in close combat situations. The model 1917 trench knife had a sharply pointed triangular blade that could easily penetrate cloth and leather. The grips were made of wood and had four shallow finger grooves. The knuckle guard was a sheet iron stamping with a row of pyramid shaped spikes projecting along the outside edge. The spikes along the edge of the knuckle guard were to allow the weapon to be used as a ''knuckle duster''. In 1918 the pyramid shaped projections on the knuckle guard were changed to a triangular shape. In late 1918 the Mark 1 trench knife was introduced, with a flat stabbing blade and a bronze handle with four finger loupes and pointed projections on the outside. These trench knifes were used by both the Army and the Marine Corps... Marc

16330 - Unknown. Persian
7/28/2020
Jay, Summerville, sc

Maker: Unknown. Persian???, Model: Unknown, Caliber: Unknown, Barrel Length: 57 Inch, Finish: Don`t Know, SN: UNKNOWN?. TOO OLD FOR SN

Markings:
Engravings on entire length of barrel. Three inlaid designs. Copper plate wrapping.

Question:
Just need to get information on this barrel and if there is someone who collects this type of item. Can send photos..

Answer:
Jay- Thanks for the photos, they help a lot. The photos show a muzzle loading (flintlock) barrel, about 56 inches long, octagon at the breech transitioning to round at the muzzle. It has remnants of a wooden forend still attached, with numerous copper bands securing the wood and metal together. The bands are decorated with crude ``squiggle`` hand engraving and repeated geometric stamps.

The rear of the barrel is well made and has three inset brass/yellow metal (but probably not gold) maker touchmarks. Two seem to include Arabic script and their origin and meaning are not known. I suspect they identify the barrel maker, from an Arabic speaking country, anywhere from Morocco along the Mediterranean coast of North Africa up to Turkey and then eastward across the Arabian Peninsula and Persia (Iran) and perhaps as far east as Afghanistan. There is also a distinctive rear sight, and that may be a clue to help further identification by someone who is a specialist in Arabic arms.

The length, forend and copper bands are typical of ``camel guns`` or jezails (and perhaps other names) used in that region. These often used parts salvaged from earlier arms, and the barrel may be older than the other parts. Also, the locals in that region have had a very profitable business making ``camel guns`` from assorted old or new materials for at least 150 years to sell to tourists of military forces as souvenirs.

The muzzle end of the barrel looks unusually thick, and I would not be surprised if the barrel is actually two pieces stuck together with an old breech section and the front fashioned from a piece of pipe.

Jezails are valued mainly for their sentimental value, or decorative value, and I really do not see any demand for parts. Someone may be interested in your barrel for parts or some oddball project, and price would be whatever a willing buyer and seller can agree on. If it were mine, I would be overjoyed if someone offered me $50, but would not hesitate to take $20. YMMV. Hope that helps. John Spangler

16200 - ID ODDBALL GUNS- INGRAM PUNT GUN, ETC
7/25/2020
William, Hartland MI

Maker: C.ingram Glassgow, Model: Punt Gun, Caliber: 100, Barrel Length: 42 Inches, Finish: Don`t Know, SN: NO NUMBERS ON FIREARM

Markings:
C.Ingram Glassgow from 1800s

Question:
I am trying to find more info on this firearm, and its value. How do I send you pictures? I also have a 1950s comp rifle with 2 huge thick barrels, a 50cal says A.J. Puff, and a 38 cal sweet stock, under side powder cap. looks like museum gun

Answer:
William- According to Robert Gardner`s very useful ``Small Arms Makers,`` Charles Ingram worked at 10 Waterloo Street in Glasgow, Scotland circa 1924-1928. A punt gun, for those unfamiliar with the term, is a big honking shotgun mounted on a small boat, usually a very small boat, very low and often camouflaged. The idea is to quietly sneak up on a flock of waterfowl sitting on the water and fire a single shot to kill as many as possible. These were guns and tactics mainly used by ``market hunters`` paid to supply game to restaurants. It was considered unsporting and ungentlemanly to fire at waterfowl when they are not flying. That`s fine when shooting for ``sport`` but when shooting for in income, all is fair game. Usually punt guns were crude affairs, muzzle loaders cobbled together with assorted pipe barrels and salvaged locks, and loaded with black powder, but some were pretty nice quality, which may be the case with this one.

Unfortunately when you submitted this question we were not set up to allow photos, but we have changed our system so where it looks like photos might be needed, we can email back and request you send them. Please submit your question again, and note that you want to send photos and we will see what we can do to help with the other two guns.

Hope that helps. John Spangler

16322 - Refinish 1896 Mauser?
7/25/2020
DUNCAN UNIPUR@ID.CO.ZW.

Maker: Broomhandle Mauser, Model: 1896 ?, Caliber: 7.63mm, Barrel Length: Six Inches ?, Finish: Blue, SN: TBA

Question:
How do I obtain history on this particular weapon? I am told by different sources that it is best to leave the weapon in original condition rather than restoring. Is this true? If not, please advise what should be done. Can you tell me from the information supplied how much this could be worth, and I would be grateful for any other interesting facts etc that you may have. If you can't, please let me have other contacts. If necessary I can send you details of serial numbers and markings if this is of any use. ps Callingfrom Zimbabwe - get your atlas out to see where we are!

Answer:
Dean, Thanks for your question, it is good to hear form Callingfrom Zimbabwe. The 1896 or "Broomhandle" Mauser was manufactured in Obendorf, Germany from 1897 to 1938. Over the years Mauser produced many variations of the Broomhandle, but the most common one was the 1930 commercial. If I had the serial number I could tell you the year of manufacture for your Mauser. Values for different Broomhandle variations range from $150 dollars for a common 1930 commercial in rough condition to over $30,000 dollars for an all original and matching cone hammer in excellent condition. I would advise you not to restore your Broomhandle until you find out more about it, because if it is a rare model restoration would ruin it's value. A good book to get for information about the 1896 Mauser is The Mauser Self-Loading Pistol by James N. Belford and Jack Dunlap, published by Borden Publishing Co. of Alhambra California... Marc

16195 - U.S. NAVY 1889 COLT DOUBLE ACTION
7/21/2020
Ken, Cumberland, md

Maker: Colt, Model: 1889 Navy DA, Caliber: 38, Barrel Length: 6'', Finish: Blue, SN: 293

Markings:
USN ANCHOR 38 DA NO.293 P W.W.K. 1889

Question:
Is my revolver one of the 300 -A- revolvers not modified/updated by the Navy.

Answer:
Ken- Sorry, I cannot tell if it has been modified or not. In 1889 the Navy adopted the new Colt Double Action .38 design which went through many improvements and changes and model names including the Police Positive, New Police and New Pocket names.

The first Navy model was the Model 1889, and the Army joined the fun in 1892, and we had Models 1889, 1892, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1901 and 1903 in rapid succession. Some were made in that configuration, and others were older guns updated to a newer configuration. Somewhat late to the party, the Marine Corps adopted one in 1905.

Frankly, trying to keep these straight drives me nuts and the only way I can sort them out is to dig out the definitive book on the subject, by Robert Best- ``A Study of Colt`s New Army and Navy Pattern Double Action Revolvers 1889-1908.`` Everything you need to know is in the 275 pages of solidly researched information, but it takes time and attention to many details to understand it. And, I forget it all about an hour later. JohnSpangler

16239 - Colt Value
7/21/2020
Harold. Southampton, NY

Maker: Colt, Model: 1889 Da, Caliber: .38, Barrel Length: 6, Finish: Blue, SN: 10125

Markings:
Unconverted. Navy da .38

Question:
What is the Value.

Answer:
Harold, there are many factors that can affect the value of your Colt, including condition, markings, and non - matching numbers. Without more information than you provided, I am afraid that we can not be of much assistance. Marc

16320 - Late War Walther PP
7/18/2020
Jim jbellvi@mo.net

Maker: Walther, Model: PP, Caliber: 7.65 M/m (.32 Cal), Barrel Length: 3 7/8¨, Finish: Blue, SN: ?

Markings:
¨ac¨ marked on slide; numbers match on frame and slide; Eagle ¨N¨ slide and barrel; not polished; machine marks readily visible.

Question:
What is approximate age? And just any info relative to this item that you may be able to shed.

Answer:
Jim, The Walther PP was introduced for commercial sales in 1929, PP was an abbreviation of Polizei Pistole (police pistol). Approximately 200,000 PP's were procured for the German military, police and NSDAP between 1935 and April 1945. The ac stamping is the WW-II German ordnance code assigned to Carl Walther, Zella-Mehlis, Germany. The eagle over the N stamping is a commercial test proof and it should be located on the right side of the slide under the ejection port, on the right side of the chamber, and on the right side of the barrel near the muzzle. There may also be an eagle over WaA359 stamp on the left side of the frame to the rear of the trigger and on the left side of the slide just forward of the grip. The eagle over WaA359 is a military acceptance stamp. If there are no military acceptance stamps there may be a police acceptance stamp (an eagle over an x in a circle followed by a C or an F) on the left side of the frame to the rear of the trigger. PP pistols procured for the NSKK were not marked with the ac ordinance code. I was not supplied with a serial number but I still have two clues that will help me to guess the age of your PP, the ac stamp and the quality of finish. Your PP must have been made prior to 1945 because the ac ordnance code stamping was drooped in 1945. Walther PP quality of the finish degenerated as the war progressed. The ac markings and the poor quality of finish that you describe would cause me to guess that the year of manufacture for your PP is between 1943 and 1945... Marc

16317 - Colt Modle ???
7/18/2020
Mike Gillis mikeg@atcon.com

Maker: Colt, Model: 1903 ?, Caliber: .380 (hammerless), Barrel Length: 6¨ ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 88XXX

Markings:
The gun has three matching numbers on it, 640. Written on the gun is ¨Colt's PT.F. Hartford. CT.USA Patented April 20, 1897, Dec 22, 1903¨. Also written on the gun is ¨Shanghai Municipal Police¨. The gun is in very good condition. It has plastic, checked grips.

Question:
I am wondering if you know any background on this gun. Such as when was it in use with the Shanghai Police force. I am also wondering if the gun has any value to collectors. I purchased it about five years ago for $125(Can).

Answer:
Mike- Sorry, we cannot match your description to anything specific. My guess is that it is the Model 1908 "Pocket" model, but the barrel length was only 3.75 inches. They were made from 1908 until about 1940 Many of these were purchased for issue to US military officers. I vaguely recall seeing some serial number research relating to arms used by some Chinese quasi-military forces in the early WW2 period, but don't remember where. I suspect a fanatical Colt collector can tell you more. Say, with the Australians and England basically outlawing all guns, and recent Canadian moves in that direction, I suspect Canadians won't be paying much for any guns soon. Good luck, and start fighting stupid "feel good" legislation before it is too late... John Spangler

16313 - Mauser Model 1871 11mm Rifle
7/14/2020
Mike mikerud@blazenet.net

Maker: Mauser, Model: 71, Caliber: 11mm, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
Is this gun a rare model or is it fairly common. I would like to sell it but have no idea of its worth. Can you help me?

Answer:
Mike- There are several variations of the model 1871 Mauser. The true 1871 is a single shot, but the Model 1871/84 used a magazine. These were made in several variations- Infantry rifle with 33 inch barrel; Jaeger rifle with 29 inch barrel; and a Carbine and a short rifle, both with about 20 inch barrels. The infantry rifle is common, the others less so. If in nice condition, we could sell this for you and get you a good price. (We take consignments and normally get 20% of the final selling price. Lots of satisfied customers, so we must be doing it right. Let us know if you want us to handle it for you. We can identify it correctly, price it and advertise it, plus take it to various gun shows where collectors normally shop for this sort of stuff.) Hope this helps... John Spangler and Marc Wade

16315 - 7.65mm Gold Plated Semi-Auto Pistol
7/14/2020
Pete Clark pjclark@sloc.net

Maker: Fabrique D'Armes De Guerre, Model: Action, Caliber: 7.65, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Gold PlatedM, SN: M31XXX

Markings:
This is a small auto-loader, engraved and gold plated, either over chrome or nickel. On the left side of the slide is stamped: FABRIQUE D'ARMES de GUERRE, under that ¨ACTION¨. (Caps and quotes as indicated.) Below that, and sideways to it is stamped a crown, below that EE, then a dash, and under that what looks like a sideways crescent moon with a peak in the opening of the crescent. The crown and other markings are at right angles to the script above them. On the barrel is stamped SPAIN and under that CAL 7.65. The pistol is ornately engraved with what appears to be either gold plating or wash over nickel or chrome. It has mother of pearl grips. It has a thumb safety just above the trigger guard, and surprisingly (Or at least I thought so!) a grip safety!

Question:
Any idea of manufacturer or date? Approximate value?

Answer:
Pete- That sounds like a potentially good item. At first glance I thought for sure you had one of the Browning pistols (model 1922 or perhaps the Model 1910) made by Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Belgium. The proof sounds like the Belgian proof (letters EE with a "Washington monument" type thing on an oval base splitting the letters). However, the name Fabrique D'Armes de Guerre I could only find associated with a cheap copy of a Browning/FN .25 auto. I am not sure if they were Belgian, or perhaps French, or maybe even Spanish. I am pretty sure that "ACTION" is one of the Spanish makers/exporters. "Spain" would only be stamped to comply with US law regarding commercial imports. For home consumption it would be "Espana". I would suggest you check an old Stoegers catalog, or Shooter's Bible and see if there is anything in them that might help. (Sorry, my library is deficient in those). Putting a new paint job, an expensive stereo and high performance tires on an old Yugo won't make it a better car. I regret that it sounds like you have a $100 pistol with $500 worth of engraving and gold, so I would guess it might be worth $150-200 or so. Gotta find someone who goes for the gold, I guess. Sorry... John Spangler

16314 - Springfield M1D Sniper
7/11/2020
joarbo@sn.no (jbo@sn.no)

Maker: Garand, Model: M1D, Caliber: 30.06, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 159XXXX

Question:
A label in the wood says HMAK and VSMOR Hrring 18 nov. 1974. I would like to know more about the history of this rifle.

Answer:
Your M1D rifle was made at Springfield Armory in 1943, and undoubtedly saw service in WW2. Sometime in or after 1952, it was rebuilt as a M1D sniper rifle, with a new barrel assembly with the scope mounting block on the rear of it. (The M1 Garand and Carbine Collectors page at http:/www.localnet.com/~carbine/m-1.html has a good photo of the M1D.) All M1D rifles were made by overhaul of existing rifles, so there is no "correct" serial number range for them. However, some fakes have been made with commercial barrels, or mounting real bases on standard M1 barrels. Real M1D barrels have a drawing number ending in 555, not 448. Often it is on the top of the barrel, under the wooden handguard, but sometimes it is on the side, or just the date something like SA 11-51 or maybe as late as SA 9-52. Okay, assuming you've got a "real" one and not somebody's shop project let's look at the "HMAK and VSMOR Hrring 18 nov. 1974" markings you mention. I can say with certainty that they are not U.S. military markings. I suspect that they are Norwegian military marks. A large number of M1D rifles came back into the U.S. from Norway in the late 1980s. Reportedly they had also been connected with Israeli military at some point, but that may or may not be correct. Many of the M1Ds from Norway were sold by SAMCO (in Florida). The few that I saw had a dark finish, and I was unable to find any import markings on them. I heard a report that the folks who handle Foreign Military Assistance Sales for the government have a file somewhere with the serial numbers of all the small arms sent overseas in recent years, including the ones to Norway, and they could possibly confirm that your rifle was sent overseas as foreign aid prior to 1974. (We were converting from M1s to M14s by then.) Hope this helps, although it is mostly speculation. That reminds me of a stuffed deer head I saw offered for sale once. It came with five different stories you could tell your friends about how you got it... John Spangler

16316 - Cannon Breech Shotgun
7/11/2020
United States

Maker: Cannon Breech, Model: Simmons Hardware, Caliber: 12 Gauge, Barrel Length: 28 3/16, Finish: Other, SN: I5858 D5858

Markings:
Says cannon breech on the side plate. Simmons hardware on buttplate

Question:
I`m looking for the value of a Simmons hardware 12 gauge single shot. It says cannon breech on the side plate and I found two serial numbers -SC- one is ``I5858`` which is located behind the trigger. The other is ``D5858`` which is located under the barrel. Has a lever type thing on the bottom of the front grip that breaks the gun down into 3 pieces. Can`t find anything about it really, anyone know the value of one in pretty good condition or a site that`ll search serial numbers?

Answer:
You have what is known as a "Trade Brand Name" shotgun, these are shotguns that are manufactured made by a major maker usually on contract to a wholesaler or retailer who re-brands the shotgun with a name of their choosing. References indicate that shotguns with the name CANNON BREECH were made by the Stevens Arms & Tool Company, Harrington & Richardson Arms Co or Hopkins & Allen Arms Co. Generally these were basic inexpensive simple guns which sold at modest prices and still have little interest or value on market today. On the retail market they usually sell in the $25-150 range depending on condition and general appearance for use as a "wall hanger" over a fireplace. Where there is any family history, we encourage people to keep these old guns for sentimental value. Please be warned that most of these are not considered safe to shoot. Marc

16312 - Excam Armi F.lli Tanfoglio E-15
7/7/2020
Rick

Maker: Armi F.lli Tanfoglio - Brescia Italy, Model: E-15, Caliber: .22 L.R., Barrel Length: 4¨, Finish: Blue, SN: 48XXX

Markings:
Excam Inc., Hialeah Fla.AA PSF

Question:
What is the history of this weapon and does the company sill exist?

Answer:
Rick, Excam of Hialeah Florida, went out of business in 1990, they were an importer and distributor of mostly inexpensive firearms. I can find no references to the model E-15 or Armi F.lli Tanfoglio. There is a Tanfoglio located in Gardone Italy who manufactures good quality semi-automatic and single action handguns... Marc

16311 - Stevens .22 Rifle "Gallery No. 80"
7/7/2020
Alex, Los Angeles, CA USA shutterbug@earthlink.n

Maker: DJ. Stevens Arms & Tool Co, Model: Gallery NO-80, Caliber: 22 Short, Long, And Long Rifle, Barrel Length: 22 Inch Aproz., Finish: Blue Smooth Not Hex., SN: 263XX

Markings:
Pump action open sights, wood stock, tube feed, a very dangerous safety. It is necessary to break down the action to change from short to long or long rifle by moving a slide switch.

Question:
When was this model manufactured and is there any value to it. I acquired it from a yard sale a while back and cleaned it up.

Answer:
Alex- Your rifle was only made between 1906 and 1910. Not a great collector prize unless in really nice shape. One price guide lists a value of $225 in their idea of "good" condition. This model was replaced by the "Visible Loader" model in 1907. Often called a "miserable loader" it too was a mechanical nightmare to keep operating. However, used mainly by young kids, they were badly abused which may account for some difficulties keeping them going... John Spangler

16310 - S&W Mod. 1917 Revolver
7/4/2020
david, mandu440@aol.com

Maker: Smith & Wesson, Model: 1917, Caliber: .45 Acp, Barrel Length: 6¨(?), Finish: Blue, Still @ 95% Or Better, SN: 63XXX

Markings:
Only pat dates (1901,06,09) S&W D.A.45, Someone, sometime has inlaid a set of airborne wings into the handle. The wings are smaller than the current issue (1970 & later from my experience).

Question:
Could you give me an approximate date of manufacture, and just for curiosity's sake any information you may have regarding this particular gun. I do intend to try and trace the ownership to find who the other trooper was who carried it.

Answer:
David, Handguns chambered for 45 ACP were desperately needed once the USA had entered the First World War. To meet wartime demands, both Smith and Wesson and Colt modified their standard large caliber revolvers to chamber 45 ACP. The Smith and Wesson Mod. 1917 was just a Second Model .44 Hand Ejector chambered in .45 ACP, with the cylinder shortened to accept the special half-moon clips required for speedy ejection of spent .45 ACP casings. The first Model Smith and Wesson Model 1917 was completed on September 6 1917. Model 1917 revolvers were serial numbered in a separate sequence beginning with serial number 1. According to production records 163,476 Model 1917's were manufactured during WWI. Smith and Wesson sold some Model 1917's that had been produced during WWI on the commercial market after the war had ended. Commercial sales of wartime production Model 1917's ended after Smith and Wesson had depleted it's wartime production supply on January 5th 1921. After January 5th 1921 Smith and Wesson began producing a commercial model 1917 that was the same as the wartime model except that it had checkered walnut grips... Marc

16309 - Shotgun- Bridge Gun Co. Black Prince?
7/4/2020
Tim timhale@bham.mindspring.com

Maker: Bridge Gun Co.?, Model: Black Prince?, Caliber: 12 Gauge, Shotgun, Barrel Length: Double Barrel, Finish: Blue, SN: #355

Markings:
dog and rabbit engraved on left hammer guard Black Prince on right hammer guard has #17 stamped in several locations also letters CC stamped in several locations barrel says Army Steel Belgium has a ¨LEG¨ and a Crown shaped logo on barrel

Question:
I would just like a little more information about the gun. When was it made, and where can I get parts for it? Who made this gun, and how old is it? Is this a rare gun or pretty common? Thanks for any help.

Answer:
Tim- Bridge Gun Company was a trade name used by Shapleigh Hardware Co of St. Louis, Mo. They started in 1868 and were still in business a few years ago. It is one of many thousand less expensive guns imported from Belgium and sold under various trade names. Most of this was around 1870-1910 and a closer examination of design features might narrow the dates a little. Parts are not available, but would have to be made. Most of these guns are unsafe to shoot with modern ammunition, and there is little collector interest in them. Prices run in the $50-150 range as wallhangers... John Spangler

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