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14947  - 1950 Ranger 16ga Shotgun
9/30/2014


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

Question:
Value of a 1950 ranger 16ga shotgun model 30 28 inch barrel what is the value

 Answer:
Sir- The Sears Roebuck "Ranger model 30" is their "house brand" version of the Stevens Model 520 or 520A, a John M. Browning designed pump action shotgun which was made circa 1904 into the 1930s. Stevens also made “trench gun" versions of the Model 520 during WW2. Sears used the "Ranger" brand until WW2, and after the war, they switched to "J.C. Higgins." as their house brand name.

Interestingly, the 520 was also sold by Sears competitor Montgomery Ward, marked as the “Western Field" Model 30. Altogether, probably more were sold by Sears and Ward's with their house brand names than by Stevens under their own name.

I would expect to find ones matching your description offered at a gun show at prices around $75-100 retail. No one likes 16 GA guns any more, and the "store brand" guns usually have far less demand or value than their "name brand" cousins. This one would be a very slow seller at any price, even though they are good solid old guns.

Hope that helps. We would not be interested at any price. John Spangler



15005  - Parts Needed For M1917 Restoration
9/30/2014
Fritz

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

Markings:
Eddystone and barrel says JA with an ordnance bomb under it.

Question:
I have a 1917 enfield that has been sporterized. It still has the metal butt plate and it appears the only thing that has been changed is the stock has been cut in front right in front of the lower band assembly. I bought a new OEM stock from Boyds. What pieces will I need to add in order to make the gun complete like it was originally? From what I can tell, it is just needs the stacking swivel, upper band, and upper band screw. Can you help me to find outif there is anything else I need.

 Answer:

Fritz, Good luck on your project, I always like to see people bring old military rifles that have been sporterized back. The barrel you mention is a WWII replacement that was made by Johnson Automatics, the company founded by Melvin Johnson who was the designer of the Johnson rifle and machine gun.  Johnson Automatics made replacement M1917 barrels during WWII.

Your M1917 should have an upper and lower handguard.  If the stock has been shortened it is a pretty sure bet that the upper handguard is missing.  You did not mention if the lower handguard is still present.  Even if the lower handguard is present, it may have been modified when the stock was shortened.  I have seen many lower handguards that looked good at first glance only to find that they were modified upon closer inspection.  In the spirit of thoroughness, here is a list of everything that you may possibly need:

  • Handguard Ring
  • Handguard, Lower
  • Handguard, Upper
  • Lower Band
  • Lower Band Screw
  • Sling Swivel
  • Stacking Swivel
  • Stacking Swivel Screw 
  • Upper Band
  • Upper Band Screw

If the front sight has been modified or replaced you will need these parts:

  • Front Sight Blade
  • Front Sight Carrier Base
  • Front Sight Pin
  • Front Sight Spline

Hope this helps, Marc





14881  - M1903 Springfield Rifle History
9/27/2014
Scott, San Antonio, Texas

Maker: Springfield Armory, Model: 1903, Caliber: 30, Barrel Length: 24, Finish: Blue, SN: 112377

Question:
I would like to find out some history on the rifle. My limited research indicates it was made in 1905 and that is all I know. Was it actually used in combat, etc. Thank you

 Answer:
Scott- Sorry, there is no documented history for that serial number. John Spangler



15000  - Sporterized K98k
9/27/2014
Robert. Bridgewater Va.

Maker: P. O. Ackley, Model: Model 98 Mauser, Caliber: .270, Barrel Length: 24 Inches, Finish: Blue, SN: G13613

Markings:
Eagle holding a Nazi swastika on the side and tops of the reciver there are also three spread winged eagles on the bolt side of the receiver with the numbers 658 785 and 785

Question:
What is this gun worth from a collectors stand point

 Answer:
Robert, from military collector's standpoint the rifle has very little value. Someone in th past has used one of the many K98k(s) brought back by returning GI's to make custom hunting rifle in 270 caliber. At the very least, the barrel has been replaced, and the stock and sighting system have likely been altered. These changes ruin any value in the military collectors market.

I am wondering how this rifle came to be associated to the famous gunsmith P.O. Ackley? You did not mention any special markings and the rifle is not chambered for one of the Ackley calibers. If your rifle is a custom sporter that was built by P.O. Ackley it has value for both collectors and shooters. The value will depend on the amount and detail of customization and the condition that the rifle is in. It is hard for me to put a value on it without seeing it. Marc



14999  - Rusty Swiss Rifle
9/23/2014
frank, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Maker: Swiss, Model: 2268, Caliber: 10.4X38, Barrel Length: 32'', Finish: Rusty, SN: 116126

Markings:
MW

Question:
What kind of rifle is it and it's approximate value in average condition?

 Answer:
frank, the caliber you list suggests that you have a Vetterli, this is a bolt action rifle with a tubular magazine. The Italians later adopted a version of it with box magazine. The cartridge was a rimfire, similar to the U.S. 44/40 commercial cartridge. The rusty finish is a major detriment to value. Marc



14880  - Value Of Dillinger Gang Thompson Submachine Gun.
9/23/2014
Will, Indianapolis, Indiana

Maker: Thompson, Model: ?, Caliber: .45, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: ?

Question:
I’m writing a story about a 1930s Thompson submachine gun that was stolen from the Auburn, Indiana police department by John Dillinger and his gang. The gun last week finally made its way back to Auburn (the FBI had had it since 1966). What would something like that be worth? I’m sure that to make an official appraisal you’d have to see it and handle it, but can you give me a ball park figure? Also, what would the Dillinger provenance add to the gun’s value? Do you know of any other “celebrity” guns that have sold recently? Thanks, and best wishes, Will Higgins, Indianapolis Star

 Answer:
Will- We do not deal in any class 3 items which includes all types of machine guns. It sounds like a great gun. The leading authority on Thompsons is author Tracie Hill, who literally wrote the book on the subject, and has worked closely with law enforcement agencies and collectors to study and document “celebrity” Thompsons. I am sure he has watched auction results on these and would give you a very well informed answer. In general, “celebrity status” will add to the basic value of the gun but exact figures depend on who the celebrity is, and especially how well the connection is documented. Something based on your neighbor’s cousin’s recollection of a story that her teacher told 20 years ago about a gun a friend had is not very credible and might add almost nothing.

However, a gun seized at a crime scene with a police department report and chain of custody listing the serial number is about ironclad proof and will add a great deal. Likewise the fame of the celebrity is important. Everyone has heard about John Dillinger, but if “Righty Whitey Smith” used a gun to stick up the corner liquor store, few people would care enough to pay extra for that. Good luck. John Spangler



14997  - Continental Arms 22
9/20/2014
Roy Smith, Kearns, Utah

Maker: Continental Arms, Model: Single Shot, Caliber: 22 Short, Long And Long Rifle, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: ?

Question:
I have lost the bolt and would like to get another. I can't find any Model or Serial number on the barrel which has been shortened to a legal 19''. Where can I find parts or have one manufactured??

 Answer:
Roy with what you have to go on, it is hard to identify your gun. The name Continental has been used on many types of firearm in the past including the following:

  • Continental Arms Importers of sporting arms in New York City from the mid-1950's until 1965.s
  • CONTINENTAL Tradename of M. Newmann on handguns (Belgium).
  • CONTINENTAL Tradename of Reheinische Waffen und Munitionsfabrik on pistols (Germany).
  • CONTINENTAL Tradename of Tomas de Urizar y Cia. on pistols (Spain).
  • CONTINENTAL Tradename on pistols made by Jules Bertrand of Liege, Belgium, c.1910.
  • CONTINENTAL Tradename used by Hood Firearms Company on revolvers sold by Marshall Wells & Company, c.1870.
  • CONTINENTAL Tradename used on rifles and shotguns by J. Stevens Arms Company.

My guess is that your gun is an inexpensive model that it is probably not worth spending any money on, especially if the barrel has been shortened. If you decide to keep looking for a bolt you can 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

Good luck, Marc



14877  - 1861 DATED M1861 SPRINGFIELD .58 RIFLE MUSKET
9/20/2014
Ed, Phila Pa

Maker: Springfield, Model: 1861, Caliber: .58, Barrel Length: 40'', Finish: Rusty, SN: ?

Markings:
1861 behind lock, American Eagle and Springfield in front of lock

Question:
Is this Musket worth anything? It does have slight rusting on metal parts but not much for the age. All parts are there and working except for the strap. Also has the original bayonet.

 Answer:
Ed- Yes, your musket definitely has some value. How much depends on the condition, but based on your description I would think maybe $500-900 range, so it is definitely not junk to be thrown out. Figure another $100 for the bayonet. These were the main infantry weapon of the Civil War, and the early dated ones are the most desirable as they almost certainly saw actual combat use. Congratulations on owning a nice piece of American history. John Spangler



14946  - Richland Arms Replica Remington 1858 New Army
9/16/2014
David

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

Question:
I would like any & all info. or a site I can find info on this gun please I looked hours & no info just action info Thank You David

 Answer:
David- Google the following and it will call up a number of results.

"richland arms" remington

These are modern replicas with very modest value as shooters. John Spangler



14995  - Another Old Shotgun
9/16/2014
Nicholas, Massillon, Ohio

Maker: ?, Model: ?, Caliber: 12 ga, Barrel Length: 32'', Finish: Don't Know, SN: A272452

Markings:
The word ''SPECIAL'' on left side.

Question:
I picked up a single shot 12 Ga. That I cannot find information on. The only markings on the barrel is ''12GA CHOKE''. Serial number is just forward of the trigger guard and under the barrel where the gun breaks for loading.

 Answer:
Nicholas, I hope that you did not pay to much for this shotgun. My guess is that it is probably one of a huge number made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and sold through various retail outlets. This type of firearm falls into the category of "old guns" that no one seems to be interested in as shooters, but collectors do not want them either. 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 $25-125 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.

Sorry for our lack of information, our main focus at FineOldGuns.com (OldGuns.net) is military firearms. We sometimes list sporting shotguns for sale in our catalogs but we do not have a lot of interest in collecting them and are by no means experts in this field. Marc



14945  - Shipping A Rifle To The US From Afghanistan
9/13/2014
Ian, Bagram, Afghanistan

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

Question:
Hello, I recently came to BAF as a service member with the US Army and need good guidance on the lawful process to ship antique weapons back to my home in the US. I am looking at a couple of different Enfield-Martini .577-450 and am about ready to buy. The entire federal and ATF laws on firearm importation are very confusing and I could use some help with what forms and procedures need to be followed so that my weapon(and money) is not wasted. Thanks

 Answer:
Ian- Thank you for your service to our country.

Forget about doing a lot of research into confusing laws. Basically if it was made in 1898 or earlier it qualifies as an "antique" and there are no hassles. Guys are shipping stuff back from Bagram all the time, and the post office or customs folks know all the rules and will clarify any questions, and any forms they require.

All the .577-450 rifles should qualify as antiques with no problems. However, the clever locals have figured that they can stamp earlier dates on modern guns and sometimes sell those to suckers who later discover that a Russian rifle made in 1942 does not qualify even if Mohammed marked it all over with ENFIELD 1857 stuff.

Most of the older rifles are repaired or reworked in some way which degrades their interest to gun collectors, but they are still good souvenirs although not an "investment" to make money on.

Hope that helps. John & Marc



14994  - Carcano Carbine
9/13/2014
Eddie Huntington WVa

Maker: Gardone Vt, Model: 940-XlX, Caliber: 6.5, Barrel Length: 17 In. With Fold Away Bayonet, Finish: Don't Know, SN: 9298

Markings:
QK before serial number

Question:
What is value and where I could find a clip to fit

 Answer:
Eddie, you have an Italian military carbine that was made at the Gardone arsenal in 1941. XlX is the year under Mussolini’s fascist calendar that your carbine was manufactured. This is a Mannlicher-Carcano design, usually just called a Carcano. You probably have a Model 1891, they have a permanently attached folding bayonet, and the stocks have a groove in the bottom where the bayonet rests when folded. The later Model had a stock going almost to the muzzle, like most other military rifles, and used a conventional knife bayonet.

Many of these were imported in the 1950s and early 60s, and often sporterized to make them easier to sell. Price with a scope mounted was $9.95-$14.95. Lee Harvey Oswald used one of these when he murdered President Kennedy. There is some macabre interest in the "Kennedy" versions, but the others seem to sell for very little, a few hundred dollars at most, on a good day for a superb example, but many are priced well under $100.

Just like the M1 Garand, these need a special clip to load the magazine, and without the clip, will only fire as a single shot rifle. The clips can be difficult to come by, we get them sometimes so keep an eye on our accessories catalog page. Hope that helps. Marc



14944  - WW2 Web Belt And Associated Gear
9/9/2014
Quentin

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

Question:
As a new collector I could use some help in purchasing the correct item. I would like to purchase a web belt of the type that most USMC or Army Soldiers would have used in WW II. Would like an original since I have an original canteen and cover. Any suggestions on other items the typical combat soldier would have had hanging off this belt I would also consider buying. Thanks in advance for any help in making the correct purchases.

 Answer:
Quentin- Thanks for contacting Antique and Collectable Firearms and Militaria Headquarters. For a beginning collector, especially one who may sometime want to actually use the items for living history/reenactment purposes, I would advise sticking with used examples instead of "excellent mint brand new" condition stuff. The cost will be a lot less, so you can grow a collection faster and see what you enjoy and move in that direction. Eventually you may want to go for higher quality (and higher priced) pieces. Don't buy really ratty junk, ever! Most WW2 web gear is pretty much the same, but advanced collectors will recognize that for most of the belt related stuff, the army (a) issued left over WW1 gear, (b) purchased new gear that was slightly different shade of khaki than WW1 gear, and later (c) switched to a dark OD color instead of a khaki shade. There was a transition period in 1943-44 where you will find a mix of OD and khaki canvas materials used on a single belt or bag.

Some good reference books may be helpful, depending on how deep you want to get into the subject. For just belts and packs, there is an Osprey book (number 209 I think) on U.S. military belts and web gear for about $10 that is an excellent reference. For complete coverage of all Army gear (web gear, weapons, uniforms, tools, etc) I like Lewis' "Doughboy to GI" covering basically everything from 1918 to 1945. For USMC stuff, a book by Moran, or Alex Tulkoff's "Grunt Gear" are highly regarded. These latter are a bit more expensive ($75-125 range) but cover a lot of stuff and are very useful references you will use for years. My first choice after the inexpensive Osprey book would be the Doughboy to GI book.

Army and USMC stuff was similar in most respects, but different enough that the USMC stuff is in high demand and priced accordingly. And, USMC stuff is sometimes faked, so be careful.

The basic belt outfit would be either: .
A. Pistol belt with canteen, first aid pouch, holster and magazine pouch, (or if armed with the carbine a carbine magazine pouch and no holster, but adding a bayonet or trench knife), or:

B. Rifle Cartridge belt with canteen and first aid pouch and a bayonet. Sometimes suspenders (M1938 or M1944, or USMC M1941) were worn with either of the belts, and sometimes other pouches for a compass or grenade launcher sight or something.

We have a lot of that sort of stuff on our U.S. Militaria 1941-45 page http://oldguns.net/catusmil.htm Hope that helps. John Spangler



14993  - Browning SA .22 Value
9/9/2014
Gary Sparta NJ.

Maker: Browning (Belgium), Model: Semi Automatic Rifle, Caliber: 22L, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Don't Know, SN: 71T51940

Question:
Belgium browning 22L semi automatic serial number 71T51940 never assembled still in box. what is the gun worth? to tell my Insurance company.

 Answer:
Gary according to information on the Browning website your rifle was manufactured in 1971. The blue book indicates that values for Belgian made Browning semi automatic .22 rifles in 100% condition is $875, add $100 for 100% condition with box. Marc



14943  - Rogers & Spencer Revolver- Partial Nickel Plated
9/6/2014
Norman New Jersey

Maker: Rogers & Spencer, Model: .44 Caliber Revolver, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: 24XX

Markings:
Stamped Roger & Spencer, Utica, NY, also a \

Question:
The barrel, hammer and trigger are nickel/chrome plated. The other metal components are not. I see no serial number on the plated components. While I believe the plated components are correctly mated and integral to the revolver, might the plating have been done as part of the manufacturing process, or is it later? And does this nullify any value the piece might have?

 Answer:
Norman- All of the Rogers and Spencer revolvers were made in 1865. The firm received a contract for 5,000 revolvers in November 1864, and by April of 1865 about 1,500 had been delivered to the government. The remaining guns were all delivered by September 1865. Government contract guns had inspector markings on the grips (usually two or three initials in an oval) and on various other parts (usually a single letter). The normal barrel length is 7.5 inches from the face of the cylinder to the muzzle. All were delivered with a blue finish. There are no records to show that any were ever issued to Army troops for use, and nearly all of them were sold off still in near new condition to the famous New York military surplus dealer, Francis Bannerman.

In addition, Rogers and Spencer made about 800 revolvers for sale on the civilian market, and these will lack the inspector markings, but otherwise should be the same. It is believed that all were delivered with a blue finish, or at least there is no known information to indicate otherwise.

The electroplating process for metal objects goes back a long way, and gradually became commercially feasible over many decades as the process was modified to suit the base metal and the plating metal.

Faraday developed electrolysis and electroplating in 1840. In 1843 the first laboratory use of nickel plating was successful. In 1847 W.T. Rodgers made the first commercial use of SILVER electroplating, and many of the percussion Colts were sold with silver plated gripstraps or trigger guards. In 1869-1870 the first commercial nickel electroplating began, and in 1871 Springfield Armory experimented with nickel or zinc electroplating. In 1875 Winchester first offered nickel plated arms in their catalog, although a few were sold as early as 1869.

Thus we see that all Rogers and Spencer revolvers were made in 1865, and that although nickel electroplating had been tried in the laboratory prior to 1865, it did not become commercially available until 1869.

Therefore I am certain that the nickel plating on your gun was done after it was manufactured, and probably after 1901. In my opinion the value is reduced by about 50% due to the plating of some parts. The Rogers and Spencers are hard to sell anyway, since they were never really issued, and so many survived in excellent condition, so both demand an value for an altered example will be very much less than an unaltered example.

Production information is from Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values, page 368. Information on the various plating methods is from Arthur Gogan's Fighting Iron: A Metals Handbook for Arms Collectors, pages 160-163. Hope that helps. John Spangler



14989  - Winchester 9422M XTR Date Of Manufacture
9/6/2014
Union, MS

Maker: Winchester, Model: 9422M XTR, Caliber: .22 Win. Magnum, Barrel Length: 20'', Finish: Blue, SN: F444606

Question:
What year was it made

 Answer:
I was able to find the following serial number information for your 9422 at WinchesterGuns.com, click here for the complete list which has more models.

Serial numbers assigned at the end of the calendar year

73 - F121182
74 - FI69044
75 - F229666
76 - F293472
77 - F323197
78 - F367976
79 - F398044
80 - F431532
81 - F489918
82 - F527632
83 - F531722
84 - F539305
85 - F550843
86 - F557835
87 - F571623
88 - F590039
89 - F605281
90 - F617848
91 - F633224
92 - F646000
93 - F658316
94 - F671391

Hope this helps. Marc



14942  - Winchester Model 55
9/2/2014
Michael

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

Question:
I have been trying to get my Sister some information on Her Rifle and I have come up empty every time...it is a beautiful Winchester Model 55 in 30 W.C.F....the serial number is 1033317....and I can find no information on this Number...can you help me out?? She is needing to sell it because Her Husband has Stage 4 Lung Cancer. Thanks for your time.

 Answer:
Michael- Winchester’s Model 55 is a fancy version of the Model 94 rifle, that was introduced in 1924 when the Model 94 rifle was dropped (but the shorter Model 94 carbine remained in production.) Initially the Model 55 was numbered in its own series of numbers reaching around 5,000. But, around 1927 they just used numbers from the Model 94 series, and your number dates to sometime in late 1928. A total of about 20,500 of the Model 55 rifles were made, making them a pretty scarce variation of the Model 94 which has had over 5 million made in the last 115 years.

Value depends on condition, but I would expect to find an average (very good-fine) condition example at a gun show priced around $1,100-1,400 while a Model 94 in similar condition would probably be something like $400-500. Hope that helps. John Spangler



14990  - NIB 670 Winchester
9/2/2014
Brandon, Denver, CO

Maker: Winchester, Model: 670, Caliber: 30-06, Barrel Length: 22'', Finish: Blue, SN: G1389503

Markings:
Never fired, came with 3x to 9x Weaver Scope

Question:
I was given this gun to me by my grandfather and it has never been fired. He won it back in the late 60`s. I have done research and found the value of the gun, but I was wondering if it is something that is worth leaving in the same condition (unfired) or fire away. Please give me your opinion, I know it is not a limited production model, but I just wanted to know before I took it out to the range. Thank you for your insight. Brandon

 Answer:
Brandon, the Winchester Model 670 is an economy version of the popular model 70. The Model 670 was manufactured between 1967 and 1973 and came with a hardwood pistol grip stock, 22 inch barrel, open sights and a non-hinged floorplate.

Although it is a decent rifle for shooting and hunting purposes, the Model 670 never caught on with collectors like the Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters did. Values for 670 rifles are not high even if the rifle is in excellent condition like yours is. I think that you would not hurt the value at all by taking it out and using it. Have fun and be safe. Marc