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15245 - Winchester Part Needed
9/29/2015
Thoms, Fairchaild AFB, WA

Maker: Winchester, Model: 58-22, Caliber: .22, Barrel Length: 24``, Finish: Blue, SN: DON`T SEE IT

Markings:
none

Question:
I have a Winchester Model 58-22 short and looking for a sear extractor pin. Could you possibly point me the right direction in finding one of these?

Answer:
Thoms, first try checking with Gun Parts Corp (the old Numrich Arms people). 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

You can post your question on the forums at the Winchester Collector Association

Some other places to try are ebay, Gun Broker, the Winchester Collector Association forum, the WinchesterOwners.com forum and Winchester - RimfireCentral.com forum. Good luck, and I hope that this helps. Marc

15171 - Percussion Revolver Nipples
9/29/2015
Netherlands

Maker: Liege, Model: Six Percussion Revolver, Caliber: 31, Barrel Length: 2, Finish: Nickel, SN: 4256

Markings:
Crown much engravings silver overall Belgian Original 1850 -A- is pocket Model with DA only flat hammer ,17 centimeter have pictures small side pin will keep it at first to freely rotate cylinder.

Question:
one percussion cap burst open, new pedersoli about one millimeter to thick screwtreath and overall to long 2/3 millimeter, would you know of a smaller size

Answer:
Sir- I think you are asking if different size nipples are available for percussion revolvers. The answer is yes, they were made in different sizes- including different thread size (both diameter and number of threads per inch), different lengths of the threaded portion and the exposed nipple portion. And, the round part of the nipple was made in different diameters to take different size percussion caps. Now, all those different sizes were made, but some were made only in the U.S., others only in Europe. Many were made by small makers and used only in their guns, while others were pretty much mass produced and used by many makers. I think yours is one of the smaller makers and most likely the nipples are no longer in production. You may find some from a dealer in antique gun parts, but unless you can remove one of the old ones and get the exact dimensions, or provide it as a sample it may be impossible to find the right one in a box of several dozen of various sizes. Good luck. John Spangler

15160 - Mystery Musket
9/26/2015
Ryan, Redding, CA

Maker: Unknown, Model: Unknown, Caliber: Unknown -SC- 3/4`` Id, Barrel Length: 41``, Finish: Don`t Know, SN: UNKNOWN

Markings:
There are a number of markings on the gun. 1819 on the butt plate and the barrel -SC- crowns here and there -SC- 1912 on the butt plate -SC- some are difficult to read.

Question:
I am unable to read the manufacturer`s stamp on this gun. It is clear, but it is in a script I find difficult to read. I hope it may look familiar to a knowing eye. Would it be possible to send you a photo? Thank you for your time.

Answer:
Ryan- I regret we are unable to provide and answer to this one with the information provided. I suspect it is one of the many different models of foreign muskets imported during the Civil War. I have a hunch that it may be one of the Prussian muskets made circa 1809 through about 1840 by makers such as Potsdam, Spandau, Danzig, Saarn or Neisse. (with the latter in the German fraktur script so it looks like “Neiffe.”) The first, but still very limited information on them was Frederick P. Todd, et al "American Military Equipage 1851-1872" in Volume 1. An even better source is George Moller’s American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume 3 which covers among other things the imported Civil War muskets. John Spangler

15239 - WWII Bring Back Rifle
9/26/2015
Glenn , Baltimore, MD

Maker: BSW Suhl, Model: Rifle, Caliber: .22, Barrel Length: 31 Inches, Finish: Don`t Know, SN: 129318

Markings:
On the rile but is inscribed the letters , NSDMB

Question:
The was taken from a home, I think, during WW2 by my father. Is it worth selling? I do not shoot and I just inherited it.

Answer:
Glenn, the rifle is definitely from the Nazi era. BSW Suhl was the former Simson Company that made the arms for Weimar period German army. The owners were Jewish, and driven out of Germany. The company then became BSW. It later had the code bcd. The rifle is likely one of those made to train youth for rifling shooting by the Nazi regime, but we need to know if the word "wehrsport" appears on the gun, if it is a single shot or accepts a detachable magazine, and if the stock configuration is that of a Kar 98k rifle. I just searched on Google for the initials NSDMB and found nothing for the Nazi Germany. The NS stands for National Socialism but I have no idea what the DMB stands for.

We may be interested in purchasing the rifle, if you want to sell, please contact us via the following link:

http://oldguns.net/email/

Thanks - Marc

15243 - WWI Browning Pistol
9/22/2015
Andrew New Zealand

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

Markings:
I was wondering if you could help me, I'm not overly familiar with guns and I'm having trouble finding any information on a World War 1 handgun used by German officers. The inscription stamped on the gun reads - fabrique-national-herstal-belgique Browning's pat brevete sgdg It is a pistol with the magazine fitting into the grip. There is an inscription (looks like three overlapping letters - possibly makers insignia?) surrounded by an oval on the handle. Thanx

Answer:
Andrew, the overlapping letters on your grips are FN which stands for Frabrique National. The information that you furnished me with could possibly describe several different Browning models that were manufactured prior to and during WWI, but I think that it is most likely that your pistol is either a Model 1900 or a Model 1903.

The Model 1900 Browning was chambered in 7.65mm. About one million 1900 Brownings were manufactured by Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre in Herstal, Belgium between 1900 and 1912. Some 1900's have German safety markings and it is likely that several thousand were made for a German military contract. The 1900 was procured by the Belgium army as an officers' weapon and for the Calvary and gendarmie. Some Belgium military pistols were undoubtedly captured and used or reissued by the German military during its advance through Belgium in 1914 or during the four year occupation of Belgium. It was with a 1900 Browning that Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated in 1914.

The 1903 Browning was chambered in 9mm Browning Long. About 100,000 model 1903 Brownings were manufactured between 1903 and 1914 and manufacture of the 1903 continued until 1923. The 1903 pistol was adopted by the Belgium military in 1904 and like the model 1900 some were undoubtedly captured and used by the German military. The 1903 is the only pistol made before 1920 that chambers the 9mm Browning Long ammunition. Marc

15156 - Model 1865 Spencer With A Suffix Serial Number
9/22/2015
tom,sun valley,nv.

Maker: Spencer, Model: 1865, Caliber: .50, Barrel Length: 20, Finish: Blue, SN: 10145A

Markings:
no special markings

Question:
What does the A stand for. I was given this gun by my grandfather who got it from his father. I`am the 4th. generation to have the gun.

Answer:
Tom- I feel your pain. We recently had one of these with serial number 7483A and I researched all my books and was unable to find out anything about the meaning of the “A” suffix. In desperation I contacted three individuals whom I consider to be the most advanced Spencer collectors in the country. My ignorance turned out to be a bit less embarrassing as none of then knew either, but they had seen or heard of examples, so several exist. The one we had was not martially inspected, and the experts speculated that maybe this might have been used on civilian sale guns for some reason. There is no data in the SRS database for any Spencers with an A suffix, nor for either of the two numbers even if we disregard the suffix, but since data was found on only about 3,500 Spencers total, that does not prove or disprove anything. Let us know if you find the answer. John Spangler

15154 - M1911 Pistol With Odd Serial Number
9/19/2015
Dalton Phoenix Arizona

Maker: Colt / Springfield, Model: 1911, Caliber: 45 AUTO, Barrel Length: 5 INCH, Finish: Blue, SN: Z 97423-C

Markings:
s 14 Under Eagle Above Mag. Release

Question:
Serial Number Is a Colt Navy WW1 Assigned , Supposedly SPRINGFIELD WW1 DUPLICATED S/N, And Did Not, Use X BUT a Z to Designate DUPLICATE and Suffixed with - C Is There Any Way To Confirm ? letter? Other example ?

Answer:
Dalton- I regret that I am unable to find the answer from the clues provided. I even asked a major collector of M1911 pistols for his opinion and he was mystified as well. Perhaps photos would help solve the mystery, but it may be a case of some spurious markings being added which will prevent it from ever fitting into any authentic sequence or explanation, or markings added for a now forgotten, but totally innocent purpose.

The main clues we have to work with are the Eagle head/S14 inspector mark on the frame above the magazine release, a blue finish and a serial number “Z 97423-C”. The questions or possibilities you posed are: Navy number, Springfield duplicated number fixed by a Z prefix, and the C suffix.

Colt military M1911 serial number 97423 was used on pistols made in 1914, but not specifically for Navy issue, But, but this cannot be one of those as they used inspector marks based on the inspector’s initials. The Eagle head/S14 inspector marks were only used circa 1917-1918 on military contract arms, but those serial numbers were all much higher, in the 137,000-595,000 range. Springfield Armory used a flaming bomb type inspector mark, not the initials or eagle head/S14 types. A commercial M1911 pistol with a serial number of 97423 would have been circa 1917, but they did not have inspector marks, and commercial serial numbers at that time used a C prefix before the number, so it would appear as C97423. In 1950, Colt changed the C to a suffix, but all frames were M1911A1 style by that time with the added cuts for the trigger finger and serial numbers were around 145,000-C or higher.

At various times the U.S. military has in fact authorized addition of a X, Z or C to specific guns where either a duplicate serial number has been found, usually by one maker overlapping into a number block which was supposed to be used by another maker, or sometimes when the original number was illegible. Usually this was the letter “X” but the Z was used on a block of M1903A4 rifles, and C on some M1903A3s where Remington and Smith Corona numbers overlapped.

So, you seem to have an impossible combination of markings. Perhaps if we had some photos we might be able to figure out the answer, but we cannot based on the info provided. The only guns often found with a broad mix of contradictory markings are Khyber Pass copies which often include all sorts of markings like “Enfield VR 1942, Mauser Patent, Smith & Wesson” all on a single gun, sometimes with misspellings or reversed letters. Sometimes we even see them crossbreed Mauser broom handle type grips with a Colt type slide or other genetic mutations. However, I am almost certain that your gun is not a Khyber Pass gun. John Spangler

15244 - Remington Model 1908 Shotgun
9/19/2015
Jim sypolt@avalon.imagixx.net

Maker: Remington, Model: 1908, Caliber: 12ga, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: A4XXX

Question:
I have a question about a Remington(?) 1908, 12 gauge shotgun with no markings and a serial number of A4XXX. I would like to know when this gun was manufactured and the value. I would also like to know where I could find a barrel for a 30.06 model 640 pump and some idea of price. Thank you for answering my question about the 8mm labell. Jim.

Answer:
Jim, Your Remington Model 1908 shotgun was made sometime between 1908 and 1910. These were designed by John Pederson (who designed a lot of Remington's guns, and the famous "Pederson Device" of WWI. Introduced in 1908 as the Model 1908, it was slightly improved in 1910 and renamed as (surprise!) the Model 1910, later called just Model 10. Remington kept the same external appearance but changed the internals based on a John M. Browning design in 1917 and it became (still surprised?) the Model 17, and later evolved into the Model 29, (but I'm going to let you figure out when they did that. Although pretty good shotguns, they are not quite as good as the venerable Winchester Models 97 and 12. I frequently see well used Model 10s in the $125-250 price range, but even then they don't seem to sell very often. Unless your 1908 is in extra nice condition that would appeal to a hard-core Remington collector, I would expect it to run about the same. Sorry I can't help with a 640 pump rifle barrel, I don't even know which maker that is. Gun Parts Corp would be my first guess, followed by the "barrels" section in Gun List newspaper. Good Luck, Marc

15238 - Browning Pistol
9/15/2015
Bill Jack......billjack@epix.net

Maker: Browning, Model: Fabrique Nationale D'armes De Gufrre....Browning.., Caliber: 7 Mm, Barrel Length: Apx. 6¨, Finish: Unknown, SN: 28XXX

Markings:
Large manufacturer or Model initials on the grip.

Question:
This gun was taken by my father during WWII. I value it as a family keepsake but wonder if there is any value or history I can relate to my children about it?Thanks, and great web page,Regards,

Answer:
Bill, Most likely your Browning pistol has more value and significance as a family piece than to a collector. Collector interest is limited unless these are in super nice condition (95% or better original finish), or are engraved. Examples with "capture papers" allowing a GI to take something home, or those with German military markings (tiny eagle and swastika over a code like Wa140) also have some collector interest. Other than these cases, the Browning pistols generally are regarded as well made and reliable guns, which will probably perform well for years to come. (Unless the politicians decide you can't be trusted with a gun anymore.) From your description we can't be sure if you have one of the .25 ACP (6.35mm) or .32 ACP (7.65 mm) pistols. In either case, the above is true and prices for examples we have seen typically run in the [$100-350] range... Marc

15149 - MOSSBERG Model 42MB .22 Rifle US PROPERTY
9/15/2015
Cody, Filer, Idaho

Maker: Mossberg, Model: 44m-b, Caliber: 22sllr, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 13186

Markings:
United States Property

Question:
How can I find information on this weapon? Where it went and when it was made, any other info I can get

Answer:
Cody- These are interesting guns, and reportedly pretty good shooters too, even though they are sort of ugly with the long stock and sheet metal band on the forend.

The best history on these can be found at the excellent site loaded with great info on all sort of British military arms:

http://www.rifleman.org.uk/Mossberg_42MB.htm

Instead of trying to rewrite something myself, I will just quote what they have to say, including their cute little misspellings and grammatical quirks arising from our two nations being divided by a common language:

QUOTE

Just two years into the 1939-45 War, Britain was suffering a serious shortage of suitable training rifles. With all local manufacturers committed to the far higher priority of Service arms production, there were simply not enough small calibre rifles to go round. Local Defence Volunteer units ( latterly Home Guard) were utilising almost anything on which they could lay their hands, and such small-bore rifles as were in stock with gunsmiths or manufacturers were taken over by the War Office for distribution anywhere thay might be of value for economical trainig purposes. The U.S.A. were already supplying much miltary materiél, and a request was made for a consignment of .22 rimfire rifles suitable for the purpose. The Mossberg Model 42 rifle was a sporting/target based design which offered an excellent basis on which minor modifications could comparatively easily be made to current production lines; the substitution of the three-quarter length stock with a full-length military style stock being the most significant and obvious.

The initial contract, in June 1941, was for 10,000 rifles. Previous to this date, Mossberg had used only a letter code on their production rather than serial numbers. Arranging to add the serial numbers required by the British Government took time, and the first 2,500 rifles left the factory not so marked. Thus the latter three-quarters of that contract ran from serial number 2501 to 10,000, and no earlier numbering should be seen. There was, not surprisingly, a delay in the despatch of this early batch due to the numbering requirement.

There were further contracts for rifles over the next eighteen months; a batch of 8,000 later in 1941, another 20,000 in March 1942, spares in June, and two more batches of rifles, totalling 8,000, early in 1943. Precise numbers allotted between U.S. and British destinations are not known at this point, but most production came to the United Kingdom.

END QUOTE Note that these are marked US PROPERTY because these were officially made on U.S. government contracts with the exclusive intention of shipping them to England as “Lend Lease” items. This was a legal subterfuge needed to comply with international law prior to our involvement in WW2, where our neutrality required us to not be arming beligerrants. However we could sell them stuff, but by this time the Brits were hurting badly and just about out of money. Hence the “lend lease” scheme where we did not “give” them arms, but loaned or leased them to be paid for in the future. Since they are US PROPERTY marked, collectors can decide if they want to include them in a U.S. martial arms collection or not. (Hey, easy question, any time you find an excuse to buy another gun, the answer is always “Yes, that fits my collection!”) John Spangler

15121 - Mystery Mauser
9/12/2015
William, Eagles Mere, Penna.

Maker: Mauser, Model: Not Sure, Caliber: .308, Barrel Length: 22'', Finish: Blue, SN: 23891

Markings:
top of barrel FWHEYM made in Germany under barrel 308win FR.WILH.HEY it has serial 23891 then 2 stamped crest then #1165

Question:
Any idea as to what model it is? I need a trigger for it. It came from Germany in about 1965 and was a mannlicher with double set triggers and a flat bolt

Answer:
William- Since it is marked as being .308 Winchester caliber, we know that it was chambered in this caliber sometime after 1952 when that caliber was introduced. My initial guess was that it was a custom rifle made in German for an American military person, which was quite popular since the incredibly talented German gunsmiths would do amazing work for very reasonable prices.

However, digging a bit deeper shows that Friedrich Wilhelm Heym started in the gun business in 1865, making the first hammerless drilling (three barrel) guns. The company he founded also made other types of shotguns and combinations guns, apparently many going to the Russian market prior to WW1. Prior to and after WW1, Adolph and later August Heym shifted their focus to the American market, but this ended in 1939 at the start of WW2.

Following World War II the remnants of the Heym fim under August and Rolf Heym set up operations in West Germany making cuckoo clocks, slide rules, spinning wheels, and various other products.

By 1952 the company had resumed gun production, including one of the first cold hammer forging barrel machines (now widely used and a real neat process!) added in 1960. Rolf and later Elisabeth Heym were running the company and resumed sales to foreign markets. In 1988 the company passed out of Heym family leadership becoming HEYM Waffenfabrik GmbH, going public in 2002, now targeting the eastern European market. Post-WW2 Heym products seem to be exceptionally high quality, and priced accordingly. Most German rifles in the post WW2 era were built on Model 98 Mauser actions, and I think Heym bolt action rifles used them, but perhaps with proprietary modifications. If your rifle is a 98 Mauser type then I would first get a cheap surplus 98 Mauser trigger (probably $5-10 at most) and see if that will work. If it fits, then you can look for fancy double set triggers. If you just need one of the triggers in the double set on the gun, replacing that will probably be impossible, as these are mostly handmade and certainly hand fitted. You will need to find a really skilled gunsmith who can do that sort of precision work, or there may be some safety issues. Good luck. Sounds like a really nice gun that deserves to be used again, so spending a few hundred dollars getting the triggers fixed may be a good investment. John Spangler

15237 - Is My Gun Stolen?
9/12/2015
Eric

Maker: Marlin, Model: 336cs, Caliber: 35, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Don`t Know, SN: 17135116

Question:
I JUST BOUGHT A NEW MARLIN 336CS RECENTLY FROM A PRIVATE SELLER AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IT IS REGISTERED ,USED ,STOLEN ,ECT. ALSO HOW WOULD I GET IT REGISTERED. PLEASE EMAIL ME WITHIN 3 - 0DAYS CONCERNING THIS MATTER.…

Answer:
Eric, the only way that I know of to get the information that you are looking for is to ask a police officer. Of course, if the gun is stolen, the officer will confiscate it and you may have to answer questions about how a stolen gun came into your posession.

You are probably not aware that ALL CAPS in email is usually used to express shouting or anger. Many people consider use of ALL CAPS to be rude or insulting. Marc

15232 - Stainless Steel Winchester Model 37
9/8/2015
Luis, Puerto Rico

Maker: Winchester, Model: 37, Caliber: 410, Barrel Length: 26, Finish: Stainless Steel, SN: 115698

Markings:
Model 37. steelbilt - 410- 3 in.

Question:
I want to know the year of fabrication. Thanks

Answer:
Luis, I doubt that your shotgun is a Model 37 because Winchester Model 37 shotguns were not serial numbered and they were not available in stainless steel. The Winchester Model 37 was popular because it was well made and inexpensive. Over 1,015,000 Model 37's were manufactured from 1936 to 1963 and another 600,000+ were manufactured between 1968 and 1980 as the Model 370 and the Model 37A. In my opinion Models 370 and 37A were of poorer quality and workmanship than the original Model 37. The Model 37 was offered in 12, 16, 20, 28 and.410 Gauges and came only in full choke.

I do not have serial number information on the models 370 and 37A, the best that I can tell you is that the 370, was manufactured from 1968 to 1973 and the 37A, was manufactured from 1973 to 1980. Marc

15228 - Spencer Carbine History
9/8/2015
Larry, Ohio

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

Markings:
Has the correct double cartouche marks.

Question:
Looking for mfg. date and other info for my 1860 spencer carbine #40406. Please help

Answer:
Larry- There is no surviving data for the usage history of Spencer carbine 40406.

Nearby numbers were used in late 1864 or 1865 with several different units (2nd NY Vol Cav; 3rd Mich. Vol Cav; 3rd Iowa Vol Cav; 9th Mich. Vol Cav) so there is not even enough data to suggest a possible association with a specific unit.

Date of manufacture is probably 1864.

The best reference book is Roy Marcot's Spencer Firearms, although John McAulay's U.S. Military Carbines is better for history and use although not anywhere near as complete on the history of the company and various models.

Hope that helps. John Spangler

15116 - Allen & Wheelock ,44 Caliber Army Revolver
9/5/2015
Jerry

Maker: Allen & Wheelock, Model: Army 1857 ?, Caliber: .44, Barrel Length: 10 1/2, Finish: Other, SN: NONE

Markings:
Barrel markings, ''Allen & Wheelock 10 1/2 long barrel,'' that's all the markings

Question:
Looking at pictures of a Army 1857 Allen & Wheelock, my gun is the same except, my gun is a 10 1/2 inch barrel, percussion .44 cal and the biggest difference is my gun has no trigger guard, and the loading lever folds forward to a latch near the end of the barrel, not a ''leaver Action Trigger Guard, Loading Lever'', gun is very solid, working order, and very crudely made, lots of file marks

Answer:
Jerry- First, we need to review some corporate genealogy. Ethan Allen was one of the famous “Green Mountain Boys” who audaciously seized the British Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775, less than a month after the battles of Lexington and Concord. He claimed to be acting "In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!"
However, THAT Ethan Allen had nothing to do with arms making (or furniture making) as those businesses involved different people.<br><br>

The gun maker Ethan Allen made a variety of single shot or pepperbox style firearms and later revolvers. He was mainly the mechanic part of the operation, and at various times other partners were involved, and the exact name used and the location help date these arms. Many of the same basic models were made at one or more locations under various names.
The various Allen names, locations and dates are as follow:

E. ALLEN Grafton, Massachusetts 1831-1837
ALLEN& THURBER Grafton, Massachusetts 1837-1842
ALLEN & THURBER Norwich, Connecticut 1842-1847
ALLEN& THURBER Worcester, Massachusetts 1847-1854
ALLEN THURBER & CO. Worcester, Massachusetts 1854-1856
ALLEN & WHEELOCK Worcester, Massachusetts 1856-1865
E. ALLEN & COMPANY Worcester, Massachusetts 1865-1871

I regret that I am not really able to follow your descriptions, and do not have access to the only book in my library which may provide info. Therefore the best I can do is suggest you first check Flayderman’s Guide to see if you can match up with something there. Then check out the two reference books he lists in the opening comments on the Allen firearms chapter to see what they say. Frankly, it sounds to me like this may be a gun that has been altered from its original configuration.

Allen arms could be a fun collecting niche with generally modest prices, but since they were made in modest numbers and were mostly well used, they can be hard to find in collectible condition, and few people care that much about them so share the enthusiasm for the work involved. John Spangler

15230 - Audax Pistol Breakdown
9/5/2015
LARRY SMETHPORT, PA

Maker: AUDAX, Model: AUDAX MARQUE DEPOSEE, Caliber: 6.35, Barrel Length: 3'' (?), Finish: Blue, SN: 10019

Markings:
FABRICATION FRANCAISE

Question:
I inherited a small hand gun listed above. From my military experience I have shot and cleaned many weapons but would like the proper way to break down this pistol for cleaning. Any help or direction will be greatly appreciated. Thank you,''Gunny'' GySgt USMC disabled

Answer:
Larry, thanks for your service. Audax pistols were manufactured from 1931 to about 1939 for sale by Cartoucherie Francaise of Paris in both 6.35mm (25) and 7.65mm (32). The 6.35mm blowback was modelled on the 1906-pattern Browning. The grip safety was retained, but the manual catch protruded from under the left grip plate. The 7.65mm resembled the 1910 Browning; its safety features duplicated the smaller 6.35mm Audax, and an odd bulge at the bottom rear of the butt improved grip. Both versions are marked PISTOLET AUTOMATIQUE CAL...AUDAX MARQUE DEPOSE FABRICATION FRANCAISE on the slide. The 6.35mm Audaxwas a minor adaption of the Unique Model II and the 7.65mm pattern was based on the Unique Model 19.

I was unable to find instructions for breaking down the Audax but since the design is based on the 1906-pattern Browning which is in tern, the same as the Colt Vest Pocket, maybe instructions for breaking down the Colt Vest Pocket will help. These instructions come from Smith's Book of Pistols and Revolvers:

First make sure that there is no cartridge in the chamber, then pull the trigger. This weapon should not be cocked when it is dismounted.

Remove the magazine.

Holding the weapon in the left hand with the thumb over the breechblock end of the slide, with the right band push the slide back about a sixteenth of an inch and tighten the left hand to hold the slide firmly in that position.

With the right hand twist the barrel one-quarter turn to the right. Twisting the barrel turns the locking lugs on its underside out of their engaging recesses in the receiver, permitting barrel and slide removal.

Hope that this helps. Marc

15221 - byf 42 Luger, Complete Rig with papers.
9/1/2015
Charles Mattapoisett, Ma.

Maker: Luger, Model: byf 1942 P08, Caliber: 9mm, Barrel Length: 4'', Finish: Blue, SN: 6641

Markings:
matching numbers 2 mags, 1 fxo markings, original 1940 holster with tool 98% (best 98% I`ve ever seen - bluing sharp and shiny) grips perfect & unworn, byf marking on toggle with parts stamped 41 and the top of the receiver stamped 42. The right side of the receiver has 3 German eagles, 2 of which have the number 135 under them. The right side of the barrel also has a German eagle. The left side is stamped P.08. The holster if brown in very good condition. On it`s back, stamped into the leather, there is a German eagle with WaV29 stamped under it and 1940 stamped beside it. R.EHRHARDT is stamped on the left side of the eagle and POESSNECK stamped under it. Included is a notarized history of how Staff Sergeant Leonard Hendricks (2nd wave Normandy Beach) acquired it.

Question:
How much is it worth, assuming my explanation of condition is correct.

Answer:
Charles, it sounds like you have a very nice Luger and the added history is a real benefit. I think that if you examine your holster closely, you will see that it is stamped `WaA29`, not `WaV29`. WaA29 is a German WW-II Heerswaffenamt inspector's mark found on items produced by Richard Ehrhardt Pössneck (Th) from 1937 -1940.

Here is a little information about the markings on your Luger:

42 is a WW-II German ordnance code assigned to Mauser-Werke AG, Oberndorff am Neckar, Germany in 1939. It is found on Mauser manufactured Lugers that are dated 1939 and 1940.

Lugers with the 42 code should also have the following markings:

The serial number: stamped on the forward left side of the receiver, upper front of the frame, beneath the rear of the barrel, and on the base of the magazine.
- The last two digits of the serial number should be stamped on most of the small parts.
42 stamped on the forward toggle:
The four digit year of manufacture-1939 or 1940 on the Receiver-above the chamber: .
The word GELADEN, meaning loaded and visible when a cartridge is in the chamber stamped on the left side of the extractor.
The bore size stamped beneath the rear of the barrel. This will be either 8.80, 8.81, 8.82, 8.83, or 8.84 millimeters.
Eagle over 63 or eagle over 655 military acceptance stamp stamped twice on the forward right side of the receiver, once on the top left side of the barrel one half inch from the receiver, and once on the base of the magazine.
Eagle, or eagle over swastika in a circle military test proof stamped on the forward right side of the receiver, the left side of the breech block, and the rear right side of the barrel.

Lugers in the condition that you describe are hard to find and they sell for a premium. If I were offering a Luger like yours with all of the accessories, I would be asking in the $2500 to $3000 range. The documented history will add another $250 to $500 to the value and make the entire package much easier to sell. Hope this helps, Marc

15225 - Remington .310 Skeet cartridges
9/1/2015
Bruce, Sheboygan Falls, Wi

Maker: Remington, Model: ?, Caliber: .310 Skeet, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
I have a box of shells that I can not identify. The box is marked as follows: .310 Remington Skeet Kleanbore Priming Index #21072The shells are all brass, about the same size as a .32 mag pistol cartridge. They are rimfire with a rolled crimp and a clear plastic disk covering a shot charge that appears to be # 9 shot. The box is a slip top box which holds 250 cartridges. The box is white and green colored. I have not been able to find any info on this cartridge in any of the books that I own.

Answer:
Bruce- I never heard of them either. John L. Barber's "The Rimfire Cartridge 1857-1984" has some info. He shows seven variations of the .310 skeet cartridge. Five have 6-fold star crimps, and two have a roll crimp. Of the latter, one has the clear plastic wad like yours and the other has a yellow wad. These both have a "U" with a dot headstamp. My guess is that these are probably from the 1940-60 period when there seemed to be a lot of interest in small caliber shotguns. One ammo dealer has the clear wad variety offered at 50 cents per round. You might be able to find out some more about what sort of gun was associated with these by looking through old copies of "Gun Digest" or "Shooters Bible"... John Spangler

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