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16108 - Iver Johnson Suicide
9/28/2019
Arizona

Maker: Iver Johnson, Model: Suicide, Caliber: 38, Barrel Length: 5'', Finish: Nickel, SN: 29981

Question:
This hand gun belonged to my grandfather. I am 80 years old and wondering what this would be worth. I needs a re-nickel job.

Answer:
There is not allot of collector interest in Iver Johnson firearms, on the retail market they usually sell in the $25-125 range depending on condition and general appearance for use as a ``wall hanger``. Where there is any family history, we encourage people to keep these old guns for sentimental value. Please be warned that the revolver ma not be safe to shoot. Marc

16068 - Remington Model 11 Trap Gun
9/28/2019
RICHARD

Maker: Remington, Model: 11- TRAP, Caliber: 12 GAUGE, Barrel Length: 28INCHES, Finish: Blue, SN: 57948

Markings:
English style back stock- very rare for model 11`s!- 99% Like New!

Question:
when manufactured and number made and appx. value if possible

Answer:
Richard- According to handwritten Remington serial number notebooks (photo copies available on the Remington Society of America site https://www.remingtonsociety.org/factory-record-book-serials/), serial number 57948 was made in January 1942. I do not know how many of this variation were made, but it is likely scarce and a nice item for someone who likes the Model 11 shotguns. You should be able to confirm the date of manufacture by the barrel date codes, which may vary a bit from when the serial number was applied as it took a while for special order stuff to be completed and proofed after final assembly, which is when the barrel date was applied. As far as value, I really cannot help much. John Spangler

16096 - Colt Lightening Medium Frame
9/24/2019
debra@voy.net

Maker: Colt, Model: Sept.18 1883, Caliber: 32, Barrel Length: 25 In., Finish: Not Sure, SN: 20XXX

Markings:
Elliots Patents may 29 1883-sept.18 1883 Hartford,Ct.It is a 32 calibur slide-action, Colt Lightening Medium Frame. Octagonal barrel. This is all I have. Thanks so much. Also will be in fair to poor condition.

Question:
Would like to know history and value?

Answer:
Debra, my records show that your Colt Lightening was made in 1886. Colt Lightening's were made in three frame sizes, small, medium and large. Colt Lightening Medium Frame rifles were produced in three calibers .32-20, .38-40, and .44-40 (with a somewhat larger frame). Colt also offered Lightening Medium Frame carbines which were similar to the rifle but had a 20 inch barrel, and Colt Lightening Medium Frame Baby Carbines, which were a light weight version of the carbine. Values for Colt Lightening Medium Frame Carbines can go as high as $5,000 and Colt Lightening Medium Frame Baby Carbines can go up to $7.000. Values for Colt Lightening Medium Frame rifles range from $450 to $3250 depending on condition. I would estimate that since your Lightening Medium Frame rifle is in poor condition it's value would be in the $400 range... Marc

16067 - Early 1873 Trapdoor Carbine
9/24/2019
Marvin Kansas

Maker: Springfield, Model: 1873 Carbine, Caliber: 45-70, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 18268

Markings:
Trap door u

Question:
Information on

Answer:
Marvin- There is no surviving usage date on your trapdoor carbine, But, it is most likely a genuine carbine as most serial numbers nearby are carbines. It was probably made sometime in 1874, and is early enough that it is possible that it was among those issued to Custer`s ill-fated (and ill-led) 7th Cavalry at the Little Big Horn. But, absent any definite proof, the best that can be said is that it is ``POSSIBLE`` not even probable, and darn sure not proven to have been used there. There is every bit as much chance it was used by some other cavalry regiment which did nothing famous or interesting, or even that it remained in a crate in some arsenal or ordnance depot.

So, it is a desirable collector item based on serial number. However, the value and collector interest will drop if it has been altered in any way, refinished or otherwise dinked with. John Spangler

16107 - SMITH & WESSON SCHOFIELD HISTORY
9/24/2019
Michael, Purvis, MS

Maker: Smith & Wesson, Model: Schofield, Caliber: 45 S&W, Barrel Length: 7'', Finish: Blue, SN: 18 (EIGHTEEN)

Markings:
It`s marked ''US'' on the butt with # 18, also has the letter ''L'' in several places, the letters ''L'', ''P'' and ''A'' on the small flat under the barrel. It has a faint cartouche on the lower side of the left grip.

Question:
It there a way to determine which unit used this and possibly who it was issued to? Thank you! Mike

Answer:
Michael- Congratulations on owning a really neat gun! Unfortunately there is no documented history for the use of this gun. However, I believe that the initial issue of the first Schofield revolvers was to the 9th and 10th Cavalry (``Buffalo Soldiers``), which certainly adds to collector interest.

The best source of information is Charles Pate`s superb book ``Smith & Wesson American Model: in U.S. and Foreign Service`` which is only $59.00. Every single book by Charles Pate is superbly researched, meticulously documented, and precisely written, and well illustrated. Every one of his books are a MUST HAVE for any serious gun collector, and you never know when they will come in handy. I am not a S&W collector, but still got a copy of this book. But, I have a LOT of gun books, and right now cannot find where I put my copy of this one, so you will have to do the research yourself.

There is a hodge-podge of information from varying sources with varying credibility at:

http://ww2.rediscov.com/spring/VFPCGI.exe?IDCFile=/spring/DETAILS.IDC,SPECIFIC=9823,DATABASE=objects,

That gives a good bit of background on the Schofield, so-called because of the work that COL George Schofield did to improve the S&W American model before it was adopted by the Army in 1874, not long after the Colt Single Action Army Model 1873 was adopted. Both were .45 caliber, but the ammunition was slightly different, so the Army adopted a compromise cartridge which will work in both. The big advantage of the Schofield was that its top-break design allowed all six cartridges to be ejected when opened instead of the individual pokey-pokey-pokey of the Colt. But, the disadvantage was that it was more complex and expensive, and more popular on the better paying civilian market, so the Army mainly got Colts instead of Schofields. Ironically, COL Schofield used one of the revolvers bearing his name to take his life in 1882.

Get Pate`s book on these, and all the rest of them, you will be glad you did! John Spangler

16063 - 1808 Harpers Ferry .69 Caliber Musket
9/21/2019
Matt Toledo Ohio

Maker: Harpers Ferry Flintlock, Model: ?, Caliber: .69, Barrel Length: Half Stock, Finish: Don`t Know, SN: 6014

Markings:
1808 Harpers Ferry. United States Stamp

Question:
I am curious about the history of the musket I have and possibly what it would be worth. The gun itself is over 200 years old and I am getting mixed comments on its history. Any information on it would be greatly appreciated!

Answer:
Matt- Harpers Ferry Armory opened in 1800, to provide a second government owned source for military arms. They made Model 1795 flintlock .69 caliber smoothbore muskets, basically copies of the French Model 1763 Charleville, much like Springfield Armory which had been established in 1795. However, the specifications of the time were pretty vague. The sample muskets used as models at Springfield varied from those provided to Harpers Ferry, so the end products were a bit different. Add in the fact that everything was done pretty much only to a visual inspection for conformance to the original, not in any way close to being ``interchangeable`` with other muskets made at the same armory, let alone between the two. In 1816 the two armories got pretty close to matching their models in most details, but not until the Model 1842 was true 100% interchangeability of machine made parts achieved.

Springfield production went through several different ``1795 models`` (as designated by collectors) between 1705 and 1816, while Harpers Ferry plodded along with the 1795, albeit with four variations before switching to the Model 1816. Harpers Ferry workers (and supervisors) were temperamental, undisciplined, fiercely independent, and a lackadaisical lot. Nepotism was valued more than performance. They hated conformity, ignored inspectors, drank on the job and their quality standards were noticeably inferior to the work done at Springfield which had strict supervision by Ordnance officers. The survival rate for early Harpers Ferry muskets is considerably lower than for similar vintage Springfield arms, especially in unaltered flintlock configuration. See Merritt Roe Smith`s ``Harpers Ferry and the New Technology`` for a detailed study of this interesting facet of American industrial history.

Your musket is one of 3,051 made in 1808, and should have a barrel about 44-45 inches long (told you they varied quite a bit!), with a full length walnut stock secured by three bands. Harpers Ferry applied serial numbers on their guns up to about 1812, while Springfield did not.

Those with 1808 dates almost certainly saw use in the War of 1812, perhaps by regulars, perhaps by militia. Possibly it was later used in the Indian Wars in Florida, and possibly even in the Mexican War. Maybe it was used in the Civil War as well, and if so, probably converted to percussion at that time, although some less fortunate units unhappily accepted old flintlocks as better than nothing.

You mention yours is half stock now, so it has been altered, almost certainly by a civilian owner after it left military use. That really hurts the value, but the history remains, and being used by some poor farmer to hunt food for his family or slaughter hogs is part of history too. My guess on value, sight unseen is probably in the modest range of $150-350. John Spangler

16102 - Remington 1903 Date Of Manufacture
9/21/2019
LaMar, Brea, CA

Maker: Remington, Model: 1903, Caliber: .30, Barrel Length: 22'', Finish: Blue, SN: 3235600

Markings:
None

Question:
When was the rifle manufactured?

Answer:
LaMar, the U.S. Model 1903 was the standard service rifle of the U.S. military from 1903 till the late 1930`s with well over one million produced. The action owes much to the German Mauser Gewehr 98, but also has some unique features including a magazine cutoff to hold 5 shoots in reserve till the enemy charged. After the disaster at Dunkirk in June 1940, the British approached Remington Arms Company about making a Model 1903 in caliber 303 to reequip their army. The U.S. government released the Model 1903 tooling from the Rock Island Arsenal to Remington, and two prototype Model 1903 rifles in 303 were made. (They can be seen at the Firearms Museum in Cody, Wyoming.)

With the U.S. heading for war, the Army commissioned Remington to restart manufacture of the Model 1903, with the first rifles turned out in October 1941. Between October 1941 and January 1943 Remington produced about 330,000 Model 1903 rifles. Our records indicate that U.S. Model 1903 Remington serial number 3235600 was manufactured in 1941. Marc

16101 - Spandau Gew 98 Value
9/17/2019
Mcgregor

Maker: Spandau, Model: Gew 98, Caliber: 8mm, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Brown, SN: ?

Question:
Hey there my name is Mcgregor and was seeing if y`all refinished old guns or valued them? I have a Gew 98 with all same marking on each part it was me grandfathers he served and all of the men in our family as well so it`s been handed down to me. Could y`all take a look at it and tell me what y`all think or if it`s worth anything? Or maybe y`all could refinish it for me etc. I will try to send pics with.

Answer:
Thanks for sending the pictures, they help allot with determining condition but they are too small for me to be able to tell much about details. From what I can see, it looks like a WWI German military Gewehr 98 with a `Quill` type WWI German bayonet. The scabbard has unit markings that were hard for me to make out but the markings are a plus. Condition is pretty rough, it is a `brown gun` with most of the original metal finish gone and the stock looks like it is a little rough also. If all of the numbers are matching that is a plus. I would expect to see a Gewehr 98 in this condition selling at a gunshow in the plus or minus $400 range.

I do not think that it would be a good idea to refinish this rifle, you would be better off to give both the rifle and the bayonet a good cleaning and then put on a light coat of oil to prevent further rust.

16071 - Darne Shotgun
9/17/2019
Greg

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

Question:
I have a Darne shotgun, 16 gauge. Serial number is SS 330 and I would like to know how hold it is.

Answer:
Greg- Sorry, we cannot help much with that one. The Darne is a very clever design which looks pretty much like other double barrel 12 ga. shotguns, but is opened by the upper part of the breech section sliding directly to the rear, extracting and ejecting the fired cases, and ready to load new ones.

This design originated around 1893, and has been in more or less continuous production ever since, although sometimes under a different name before the Darne name came back. Some have been sold in the U.S. but they seem to mainly fill a niche market in Europe.

However, I do not know of any source for serial number info to assist in dating. The changes in proofmarks over the years may help narrow it down. Or check auction listings and they may include some clues that will help date your gun.

Here is a link to a site with more info on these, so visitors here will see what we are talking about.

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/11/02/french-darne-shotguns-sliding-breech-block/

Hope that helps. John Spangler

16098 - Mystery Sawed Off Shotgun
9/14/2019
Mike

Maker: ?????, Model: Shotgun, Caliber: 20 Gauge, Barrel Length: Sawed-off, Finish: Blue, SN: 53742

Markings:
None it has no marking at all just the number

Question:
What year and make is this old shotgun

Answer:
Mike with the information that you provided, there is not a lot of information that I can give you on this firearm, it could be 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.

You should be aware that ``Sawed Off Shotguns`` (shotguns with barrels less than 18 inches long) are not legal to own, unless you have registration papers from the BATF. Persons in possession of one of these firearms would be subject to 10 years and or $10,000 fine if the feds catch you with it. You may want to consider placing a call to the BATF (look in blue pages under US Treasury Dept) and making arrangements to turn it in to them for destruction. Marc

16070 - Old Gun Marked ``Romania`` In Old Building
9/14/2019
Nicole

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

Question:
My family farms, and sometimes on or near the farm land there are old wood houses or barns, left to rot. Well my brother and another guy where taking a break and kicking around an old wood barn/house and found this old rusted up gun. Original everything it seems. Can`t pull up anything via serial number, and no idea what kind it is. Tried to clean it some. We can`t make out the writing, I believe I found the word ``Romania`` on it and VT maybe. The rest I can`t make out or read. I have photos, hoping someone can tell us what it is.

Answer:
You have a semi-automatic version of the AK-47 rifle, made in Romania in 2003. These have been very common in the surplus market, originally at pretty low prices ($150-250 retail range) but have climbed up to about $750 for a new condition one now.

The model is ``SAR-1`` and it uses 7.62x39mm ammunition, like all the AK-47 and SKS rifle family. Serial number is ``S1-77609-2003.`` Everyone refers to these as ``AK-47s`` which technically only applies to the ones which can fire full auto and are illegal, while this one is only semi-auto and therefore it is legal to own- in most states.

It appears that it is badly rusted in places, and the bore is probably pretty bad too. I would think that this might sell for about $100-150 due to condition. Maybe a little more if the bore is better than I think and the internals function okay. Hope that helps. John Spangler

16099 - H&R Sidekick
9/10/2019
Bob, Marshalltown, Iowa

Maker: H&R, Model: Sidekick, Caliber: .22, Barrel Length: 6'', Finish: Blue, SN: T25037

Markings:
diamond hammer

Question:
How old is this gun and what kind of value would it have?

Answer:
Bob, references indicate that the H&R Sidekick was first introduced in 1956. The model came with fixed sights and a square butt with brown laminate grips, it is a .22 LR, 9 shot revolver with blue finish, swing-out cylinder and 4 inch heavy barrel. A quick Internet search revealed that revolvers with ``T`` serial numbers were made in 1957. There is not allot of collector interest in H&R revolvers and I would expect to see one like yours for sale at a gunshow in the $250 or less range. Marc

16069 - Winchester Model 94 ` ` Low Number ``
9/10/2019

Maker: Winchester, Model: 94 Short Rifle, Caliber: 30-30, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
I have a Winchester Model 94 short rifle 30-30 in new-in-box unfired condition. Serial number is:00001ZR94K. Does this low serial number add to the value of the firearm?

Answer:
Sir- Winchester Model 1894 serial numbers started at 1 and worked up to over 6.5 million.

The number you listed is in a new format, probably started in the last 10-20 years, using a sequential number, a year code and model code. So, if my understanding is right and yours is number 00001for a year (say 2012) I really don`t think that has much impact on value to most collectors. Certainly a bit of an oddity and conversation piece, but not nearly the same as serial number 1 made in 1894.

Speaking of serial number 1 guns, the NRA`s National Sporting Arms Museum at the Bass Pro Shops flagship store in Springfield, MO has a section with ``serial number 1 guns`` which is pretty interesting. The entire museum there is FANTASTIC and well worth a trip and admission is free. There is a very nice restaurant/buffet just across from the Museum area (all in the huge store complex) where you can get a good meal at reasonable prices. If you have time, be sure to go visit the Aquarium at the other end of the store. Admission is not free, but well worth it, and not just a couple of goldfish in a couple of tanks, but one of the most amazing wildlife exhibits I have ever seen. If you go to the NRA Museum and Aquarium first, your spouse may be too tired to do much shopping.

John Spangler

16097 - Danger - 308 M1 Carbine?
9/7/2019
Brad bethel nc usa

Maker: Universal Hialeah Flags M1, Model: M1, Caliber: 30, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Don`t Know, SN: 402826

Markings:
Pat #3982766

Question:
What`s the history on this gun. What`s the value and what caliber bullet does it shoot. 7.62, 308 dont load.

Answer:
Brad, Universal Sporting Goods, Inc., of Hialeah and Miami, manufactured a variety of M1 Carbine types and derivatives from the early 1960s until the company was purchased by lver Johnson in January 1983. The quality of Universal carbines for the most part was not bad, but was defiantly not up to the standards of U.S. government issue carbines. Initially the bulk of the components Universal used in their carbines were U.S. government surplus except for the forged receivers which were made by Repp Steel Company of Buffalo. Surplus slides and trigger housings were used as long as possible but toward the end of the Korean Conflict, when the surplus part market dried up, Universal started manufacturing all of their own parts including barrels, die cast trigger housings, recoil plates, recoil plate screw, and springs. There is very little if any collector demand for Universal M1 Carbines, the blue book lists values for most models between about $100 and about $350.

For liability reasons, I will not speculate on what caliber your carbine is chambered in. I suggest that you take it to a competent gunsmith in your area for determination of the proper cartridges. Marc

16060 - Bayonet With Nickel Finish
9/7/2019
Gary-G MAYU@aol.com.

Maker: Bayonet Mauser, Model: ?, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Nickle , Wood Handles, Blued Sheath, SN: NONE

Markings:
mfg. by Weyersberg Kirscbaum & Co.-overall 14.80 in.-blade 9.91 in. mfg. by Weyersberg Kirscbaum & Co. Solingen Shield with shooting five point star-Three circles, somewhat like the Olympic insignia. Nothing fancy but great mfg. quality. Not able to find information at local library.

Question:
Would like to find year of mfg. and what rifles used them. Where were they manufactured? If unable to answer questions, please submit book title that would have this information. Thank you, Gary

Answer:
Gary- Most of the nickel-plated bayonets are German "dress" bayonets. Don't let the name fool you, these were not for women troops, but for ceremonial occasions and "walking out" when off duty, in town trying to pick up those who wore dresses. The bayonets are found in many different styles and quality levels but all are similar to standard German bayonets of the WW1-WW2 eras. Many would fit the 98 Mauser series of rifles, but some were strictly decorative and lacked the slots and catches to attach on a rifle. Yours was made in Solingen, a town noted for high quality edged weapons for several centuries. There are several books dealing with bayonets. The best single volume for anyone even remotely interested in bayonets of all countries and all periods is Jerry Janzen's "Bayonets from Janzen's Notebook" which you can special order from a bookstore for about $35-40. There are some highly specialized volumes specifically dealing with German bayonets, (John Walters, I think is the author) but they are very difficult to find. Hope this helps... John Spangler

16059 - Sharps Civil War Carbine
9/3/2019
Greg gregham@philly.infi.net

Maker: Sharp's Carbine, Model: 1859 NM, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: 34XXX

Question:
A friend has a Sharp's Carbine manufactured in 1859 with the serial number listed above. He is trying to find out who this gun was originally issued to during the civil war. Based upon a book he has with some Sharp's Serial Numbers matched with the names of men who they were issued to, he believes that this is older may have been a member of the 19th Pennsylvania Calvery, Company K. Any hints on how to find this info out?

Answer:
Greg- It is always difficult, and often completely impossible to link a specific weapon with a specific soldier from any war. The records were simply not thought to be worth preserving. However, some information is occasionally found. Most by Frank Mallory, of the Springfield Research Service. He spends huge amounts of time in the National Archives going over records looking for this sort of info. Sometimes it only goes as far as connecting a gun to a unit, but sometimes to an individual. He has published his findings in four volumes, and they range from Civil War era arms up to the M1 and M14, and include pistols as well as longarms. I have probably checked close to 2000 guns, but only found a handful listed. For a fee, Mr. Mallory will provide a summary of the information on a gun with serial numbers listed in his book and often a copy of the official document where it was listed. These are often arms that were issued, damaged, lost, or used in some experiment. Real nice info for the collector to know. Serious US Military Collectors should get all four volumes, plus subscribe to his quarterly "U.S. Martial Arms Collector and Springfield Research Newsletter." ($25 per year P.O. Box 4181, Silver Spring, MD 20904). But, your friend's Sharps is not listed in any of the four volumes. There are entries for carbines in the 34xxx range associated with four different units, the 19th PA being one of them. There may be additional sources to check which can add more information but I am not aware of them... John

16095 - DWM? 42 Code Luger
9/3/2019
Dave H., Phoenix, AZ, USA

Maker: DWM, Model: PO-8, Caliber: 9 MM, Barrel Length: 4¨, Finish: Blue, SN: 5551

Markings:
The piece has all matching numbers with the exception of the magazines. The receiver is dated 1939. The portion of the toggle directly in front of the thumbgrips is stamped with the number '42'. The left side of the weapon shows no markings other than the full serial # just behind the barrel and the last two digits of the serial on the individual pieces. There is as mall eagle stamped in the forward toggle just in front of the connecting pin. The piece has checked wood grips (also marked '51' on the inside) and has a stock lug. The right side of the weapon shows three Waffenamt eagles; two of which are over the number 655. There is also an additional smaller eagle on the right side of the barrel. The underside of the barrel has the full serial # and the bore size, 8,81. In front and above the trigger guard; directly below the barrel appears the full serial # above a stylized 'y'. The pistol came in a brown leather, full flap holster. This is stamped on the inside of the flap ¨F.W.KINKEL, MAINZ, 1916. Scratched into the back of the holster is ¨LT DORMER F-28 INF¨.

Question:
Given the scratched in name and unit ID in the back of the holster, I am assuming that this piece was taken as a war trophy. Any help that you could provide towards the proper identification of the weapon, i.e., where it was manufactured and when, is it a common item, and an approximate value would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer:
Dave, just about everything in your description is consistent with a WWII - 42- code Luger manufactured by Mauser. 1939 would be the date of manufacture while 42 is a WW-II German ordnance code assigned to Mauser-Werke, Oberndorf am Neckar, Germany. The eagles with 655 are German WW-II Heerswaffenamt inspector's mark placed on arms produced at Mauser Werke AG, Oberndorf am Neckar, Germany. Your description does not state that there are any DWM markings, so why do you list the maker as DWM? If your Luger is a Mauser 42 code, then it is one of the most common types of WWII military Lugers. 42 code Luger values range form $250 to $650 depending upon condition, and you can add another $30 to $100 for the holster. If you would like to sell your Luger let us know, or if you would like an appraisal take a look at our Appraisals page to find out how to arrange for us to do one for you... Marc

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