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16603 - 38 Special
8/27/2022
Jamie

Maker: ?, Model: ?, Caliber: 38 Special, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Markings:
271 etched on the left hand side of the gun

Question:
I have a gun that I believe was my uncles who was a bombardier in WWII. It has althe number 271 etched on the left hand side of the gun. Do you have any idea what the number means? And what this gun would be worth. It still shoots but does misfire occasionally. I don`?t have original grips. Everything else is original. Thanks for your help.

Answer:
Jamie - You have a U.S. military Smith & Wesson ``Victory Model`` revolver in .38 special caliber. These were used in large numbers during and after WW2. Although the Army (Air Corps) may have used some of these, they mainly used the .45 caliber M1911 semi-auto pistols for air crews. However, most Navy or Marine Corps air crews were issued the Victory Model revolvers.

If you can give me your uncles full name, I MAY (or maybe not) be able to confirm what branch and possibly what unit he was in. City and state where he lived prior to the war is a big help, and hopefully the name is not ``Joe Smith`` or other real common one.

The 271 is probably a ``rack number`` added at the unit level to be easier to spot when checking them in and out, or maybe added later. There may be something else partially hidden by the grips, as it looks like there might be a ``U`` peeking out there.

These were essentially the Smith & Wesson Model 10 or Military and Police revolvers used by most police forces prior to the 1950s, but made with less attention to the final finish, and a gray parkerize instead of a high gloss blue.

Many of these were provided to police departments after WW2, and huge numbers were sold on the surplus market, especially in the 1960s-70s. Unless there is strong family tradition that ``Uncle Joe carried this exact revolver during WW2 and brough it home at the end of the war`` it may be that it is something he acquired later, and possibly ``just like the one ha carried in the war. (Although sometimes the stories get murky over time and ``Bill was in the Civil War and this was his gun`` ends up being more like Bill really was a Civil War veteran, and he did own this gun, but the gun was not made until 40 years after the war.)

Condition is good to very good, except for the replaced grips, and I would expect to find one like this at a gun show selling for around $300-350 retail, but about $50 higher with original grips.

I may have an extra set of Victory Model grips, and can look for them if you are interested. Price would be $50 plus $10 shipping. Although correct, and in appropriate condition for your gun, the grips were final filled for each gun as it was made, so grips from a different gun may be a slight bit over/undersize, but most people would prefer them to the rubber grip on it now.

As far as the occasional misfire, these are pretty rugged and reliable. I suspect the problem is 75 year accumulation of dirt and the oil/grease turning to sticky crud. A good cleaning will likely fix any problems. These were made for standard .38 special ammunition, and the higher pressure ``+P`` loads should not be used in them. Hope that helps -- John Spangler

16602 - S&W .38 Special
8/20/2022
Jerry columbus OH USA

Maker: Smith And Wesson, Model: MP Pre Model 10, Caliber: 38 Special, Barrel Length: 4.5, Finish: Handgun - Nickel, SN: 464352

Markings:
has star stamped on bottom of the handle with number 4232 next to serial number

Question:
Can you please help with manufacture date and correct model

Answer:
Jerry, the Smith & Wesson Military & Police, is a revolver of worldwide popularity. In production since 1899, it is a six-shot, .38 Special, double-action revolver with fixed sights. Over its long production run it has been available with barrel lengths of 2 in, 3 in, 4 in, 5 in, and 6 in. Barrels of 2.5 inches are also known to have been made for special contracts. Some 6,000,000 have been produced over the years, making it the most popular handgun of the 20th century.

Supica & Nahases excellent book on the subject, ``The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson`` indicates that serial numbers 241704-700000 were manufactured from 1915 to 1942. Marc

16601 - Model 71 Missing Serial Number
8/13/2022

Maker: Winchester, Model: 71, Caliber: 348, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Markings:
I have a Model 71 Winchester .348 WCF but the only stamped number is a number 5 just to the left of the front hinge of the lever on the bottom. I understand serial numbers were supposed to be stamped on the bottom of the receiver close to the forearm. But I don`t have any other numbers on this rifle.

Question:
Where else would serial numbers be and is the 5 an inspectors number?

Answer:
Sir- The serial number on the Model 71 should be on the bottom of the receiver, about 1/2 inch back from the wooden forend. The tiny number on the bottom up against the side of the hinge for the lever is an assembly number.

If the number is not where it should be, then I suspect it was removed, either deliberately, or accidentally when refinished. In either case, possession of a firearm with an altered or removed serial number is illegal.

Hope that helps. John Spangler

16624 - Russian Gun
8/8/2022
Andrew US

Maker: 1907, Model: A3n1481, Caliber: 308, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Handgun - Don`t Know, SN: 82935

Markings:
rusqvarna vapenfabriks aktiebolag

Question:
what year was this russian gun made and how much is it worth

Answer:
Andrew - Husqvarna is a Swedish company, not Russian, here is a link to a site to help with the date:

http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/m07/pist07_3.htm

As far as value, you can check on gunbroker.com to see what they are selling for- make sure you find ones where people have actually made a bid, not something with a starting bid no one is willing to pay. John Spangler

16600 - Two Smith & Wesson Antique Revolvers
8/6/2022
Colleen

Maker: Smith & Wesson, Model: ?, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
My father passed away and had 2 Smith & Wesson antique revolvers. I would like to know the value and where I can sell them

Answer:
The first gun, serial number 85406, looks like a Smith & Wesson.38 caliber Single Action Model Two, Second Issue, made between 1877 and 1891. Condition is pretty marginal for a collector and I would expect this to bring only about $125-150 retail.

The second gun, serial number 73323, is a Smith & Wesson .32 Hammerless 1st Model, made between 1888 and 1902. Based on the serial number it was made before 1899 and is legally an antique, so there are no hassles as being a modern ``firearm.``

Condition is a lot better than the other one, and I would expect this one to bring about $200-225 retail. Hope this helps, John

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