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15523 - How Much Is It Worth
11/29/2016
Sheila payne springs,texas

Maker: Remington, Model: 511, Caliber: 22 Short.long, Barrel Length: 25, Finish: Blue, SN: ?

Markings:
Has patent # 1,913,840-2,356,257

Question:
How much is it worth

Answer:
Sheila, the Remington Scoremaster 511 was a .22 caliber, bolt action design with a detachable magazine, 25 inch barrel, one piece hardwood stock, and a blued metal finish. It was manufactured by Remington Arms between 1939 and 1963 and then again in 1965 and 1967. Rifles manufactured before 1968 do not have serial numbers.

Remington firearms manufactured between 1921 and 1972 have a two or three letter code on the left side of the barrel that identifies the month and year of manufacture. The first letter identifies the month and the other letter(s) identify the year. You can use the Remington link on our menu to look up when your rifle was made.

Values for Scoremaster rifles in the bluebook top out at around $250 if they are in perfect condition. If your rifle as seen some use value will probably be in the $175 range. Marc

15469 - M1903 Stock Markings
11/29/2016
Michael

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

Question:
I have a 1903 Mk1 ser# 1118091 have some question. Can you tell me what the markings on right side of the buttstock are: “PA. 186” Barrel has ordnance bomb with RA 11-41. Any info would be nice, also has straight stock with forend finger groves

Answer:
Mike- Sorry, we cannot help with that one. I have seen similar markings, but have no confirmed explanation. I think they are most likely unit markings, possibly Navy or Marine Corps, but may just as well be later markings from a veterans group, or military school or something like that. These rifles started turning up around the early 1980s as I recall.

They are NOT the usual markings found on the "greasy Greek" rifles brought back via the CMP program a few years ago. John Spangler

15518 - First Year Win 74
11/26/2016
Andrew, Longmont, CO, USA

Maker: Winchester, Model: Model 74, Caliber: 22 Short, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 13716

Question:
I was curious about the year of manufacture, since it is a lower serial number than you list on your date finder. I would assume it is 1939, as I believe that was the first year they manufactured these. It was my Grandfather's, so it would be nice to know a bit more history on it.

Answer:
Andrew, the production date of your rifle is 1939. Rifles produced this year were offered in .22 Short only, with the .22 LR version following in 1940. The Model 74 was an early auto loader design, and as such, has a slightly cumbersome mechanism compared to rim fire rifles we are familiar with today. Many Model 74 owners suggest that you avoid disassembly of the rifle because of this, some finding that they must take their rifle to an experienced gunsmith for reassembly.

In an interesting twist of history, the Model 74 was sent to the United Kingdom under the Lend-Lease program during the second world war. It is rumored that the British even stored some Model 74's in caches near the coast in the event the mainland was invaded by the Germans. These rifles were equipped with telescopic sights and silencers to allow for quick and silent dispatch of German officers or sentries. We are unsure of the veracity of this story, but it is one oft told about the Model 74. Josh Wade

15468 - Shanghai Volunteer Corps Model 1917 Enfield
11/26/2016
Kent

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

Question:
I saw an ad for a 11/18 dated Eddystone M1917 with a reference to the Shanghai Volunteers. Can you tell me what the serial number range is for M1917 Rifles used by them? Mine is #1293677. Thanks, Kent

Answer:
Kent- Thanks for contacting Antique and Collectable Firearms and Militaria Headquarters.

Your rifle is not listed in the Springfield Research Service data base, so there is no evidence at all where it may have been used.

The Shanghai Volunteer Corps rifles data include about 800 numbers, all but 19 being Eddystone (the others Winchester). The Eddystone numbers range from 23,838 to 1,350,802 with most being above 106,000. However, 800 numbers out of a spread of 244,000 rifles is not a high percentage, and a few other usages are sprinkled in the range as well as the SVC use. In summary, it a rifle is not listed, it is impossible to draw accurate conclusions about its history.

Unfortunately, only about 8,200 rifles have any history out of about 2.5 million Model 1917 rifles made.

The best evidence of foreign use is the presence or absence of import markings, or other governments, such as broad arrow, C/broad arrow, modification with a notch at the back of the receiver ring, or Danish replacement sight blades, red painted stripes on the forend, etc.

Hope that helps. John Spangler

15520 - Auction Expectations
11/22/2016
John Patchogue, NY

Maker: Ballard, Model: Marlin?, Caliber: .22, Barrel Length: 28'', Finish: Blue, SN: 14425

Question:
This rifle seems intact & un-restored. What is the value I could expect at auction?

Answer:
John, I don't like auctions much so I usually stay away from them. Suggest you try an advanced search for completed items that are the same as yours at the Gun Broker auction site (http://www.gunbroker.com/search/advanced). Marc

15467 - Leopold Gasser Wien Combination Gun
11/22/2016
Leif

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

Question:
I have an antique long gun, manufactured by Leopold Gasser Wien. It is a double barrel, side-by-side with a shotgun on the left barrel (12 ga) and a rifle on the right barrel. It appears to be approximately 40 cal. Shot gun barrel is of Damascus steel. Break action with exposed hammers and double trigger. Are you at all familiar with this weapon and what its value might be?

Answer:
Leif- Sorry, we cannot help much with that one. Sounds like a nice gun, but we have not seen any. It is probably a souvenir brought home after WW2, or possibly even WW1. I think it would sell better in Europe than here. Value will depend greatly on caliber of the rifle barrel and the condition and the quality of the workmanship and decorations. John Spangler

15466 - MILITARY AMMUNITION IDENTIFCATION- PAINT ON BASE
11/19/2016
Don

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

Question:
Can you tell me what is indicated by red paint on the bottom of 30-06 cal cartridge from 1950's? Thank you for specific answer.

Answer:
Don- Military ammunition usually has a sealant applied to where the primer is inserted into the cartridge case to prevent possible moisture damage which would make the cartridge unreliable. Although a clear lacquer type material would do the job, they usually use a color to make sure that it is visible. In the U.S. this is usually red, or sometimes black or purple, but the color has no significance. Some other countries used the primer sealant color as part of the identification of the type of ammunition, so their colors may mean something.

If the entire base of the cartridge has a solid coat of red paint, that is not the normal primer sealant and was almost certainly done outside the military and could be some reloader indicating a different load, primer or bullet, but without knowing who did it, we cannot be sure. John Spangler

15519 - Daves House Of Guns 22 Mag
11/19/2016
Steven Duncan Baxley Ga

Maker: Daves House Of Guns, Model: Revolver, Caliber: 22 Mag, Barrel Length: 6'', Finish: Blue, SN: 481927

Markings:
Has 22 magn germany on the cylinder has Daves house of guns Dallas Texas on the but

Question:
Who made the gun and where can I get hand grips for it every thing else works fine

Answer:
Steven, I can not say for sure without seeing the revolver but it sounds like you have one of the inexpensive Saturday Night Special type revolvers that have been imported from Germany over the last 50 or 60 years. The basic pattern of revolver was a gate-loaded solid-frame design with rod ejector mounted beneath the barrel. Some revolvers had removable cylinders and folding triggers. Revolvers were double-action or self-cocking hammerless with a concealed hammer that struck a floating firing pin. Safety catches were standard on the hammerless models. Some revolvers had a trap in the bottom of the butt which had space for five or six spare cartridges.

The revolvers were marketed through many retail outfits, under many trade names and I would bet that Daves House of Guns was one of them. Some of the names that I can remember were Arminius, Dickson, Herter, Kessler, Omega and Gecado. Your revolver probably originally came with both a 22 LR cylinder and a 22 Mag cylinder.

Collector interest in West German import firearms in general is low to nonexistent and values tend to top out at around $150. I do not know of a source for parts, try checking with Gun Parts Corp (https://www.gunpartscorp.com/), once you are there, do a search on ``Arminius grips``. Another good source for grips is http://gungrip.com/. Marc

15449 - Old German Over Under Gun
11/15/2016

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

Question:
i have an old german over and under gun, the top barrel is a 16 gauge shotgun i believe and the bottom is a rifle barrel that is a 9.? something. everyone that i have had look at it cannot tell me for sure what the rifle barrel is. my grandpa left it to me in 1980 when he died and its been in my gun vault ever since. My grandpa was in wwII in the navy and that is when he bought it in germany. I recently took it to a gun show in oklahoma city, oklahoma and most of the exhibitors there said it is in very good shape and that they had not seen a gun quite like it. They said it would be very rare and unique. I have tried to research it online for quite a while now with not much luck, no one seems to know much about this gun.It was made by m. hasselmann in frankfurt germany and the serial number on the butt plate and underneath stock matches. It also has the # 13 right below the serial number.It is a double hammer gun with engravings on it. They said it would be made in the late 1880's.I also had a gun smith & appraiser from H&H gun shop one of the largest gun shops in oklahoma city look at it and he said it was an oddball, very rare and a collectible. Please let me know if you are interested in this gun and maybe you could determine exactly what gun it is. thanks so much!

Answer:
Sir- My head hurts when I have to read stuff that has horrible grammar and spelling and barely qualifies as being in English.

Sorry, we cannot add much to what you have already been told by people who have had a chance to see it in person.

In general, the German combination guns (usually 2 shotgun barrels over a rifle barrel) are superb quality, and beautiful works of the gun maker's art. However, their choice of calibers and overall appearance do not appeal a whole lot to American shooters, so except for those from well known makers (Sauer, Merkel, etc) they tend to have very weak demand and prices are often about the same as a decent quality American double barrel.

There is a small niche of people who collectors and/or shoot classic doubles and fine shotguns who may appreciate something like this. You really need to get into the sort of folks who deal with those customers if you want to get a good price for it.

I cannot find any information on M. Hasselmann, so he is probably a retailer (or possibly an owner) not the maker.

My wild guess is that the final sale price will be under $2,000, and possibly not even reaching $1,000.

The two most popular rifle calibers seem to have been 9.3 x 72mmR or 9.3 x 74mmR, but there were dozens of others so a gunsmith would have to make a chamber cast to try to identify it. Also, most of these had shorter chambers in the shotgun barrels than needed for safe use with American ammunition. A gunsmith can lengthen the chambers to fix this if someone wants to shoot it, but if it does not have nitro proof marks it is probably best to not even think about shooting it.

Hope that helps. John Spangler

15514 - Astra 600 Ident.
11/15/2016
Ralph Houston Texas

Maker: Astra, Model: 600/43, Caliber: 9mm, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 18258

Markings:
Spanish proof marks also an O with a + over it on frame, perfect condition

Question:
History of it, how old is it, was it used in WWII, worth anything? Thank You

Answer:
Ralph, During WWII the German Heereswaffenamt asked Astra to develop a pistol built around the 9MM parabellum round that was smaller than the model 400. Fifty prototypes were assembled in 1943 as test pieces. The prototypes were approved by the Heereswaffenamt and Astra commenced manufacture their new model 600.

Between May 16 and July 16 of 1944, a total of 10,450 Model 600 pistols were sent to the town of Irun on the French border for use by German troops that were then occupying France. The serial number range of these pistols was 51-10500. A short time later an additional 28,000 pistols were delivered to the border, but could not be accepted by the Germans because they were evacuating the area as a result of the Allied invasion of Normandy. The serial number range of pistols that could not be delivered was 10501-38500. These pistols were returned to Spain where they were used by the Spanish Government. Model 600 production was terminated in 1945 with pistol # 59546. Serail numbers 38501 to 59546 were placed in stock by the factory and eventually sold to the West German Government. Your pistol, serial number 18258 was in the batch that could not be delivered to the Germans in 1944. Marc

15401 - ROGERS & SPENCER PERCUSSIN REVOLVERS
11/12/2016
Troy Eureka Ca

Maker: Rogers And Spencer., Model: Cap And Ball Revolver, Caliber: .44, Barrel Length: 7.5'', Finish: Blue, SN: 022187

Question:
How Can I Tell If This Gun Is Authentic?

Answer:
Troy- The Rogers & Spencer revolvers were made near Utica, New York, under a November 1864 contract, but only 1,500 were delivered by the Civil War’s end in April 1865 but the remainder of the 5,000 ordered were accepted by September. As far as is known, none were ever issued, and the entire lot was sold in 1901 to New York surplus tycoon Francis Bannerman. About 800 more were sold on the civilian market, making total production about 5,800 and serial numbered accordingly.

But they were well made .44 caliber single action percussion revolvers. Since some were delivered before the end of the war, they are considered to be Civil War guns, and that has led to reenactor and skirmish shooter interest in shooting them. Thus, the Italian replica makers stepped up and started making replicas.

Your serial number is higher than the total originals made, and probably a replica. As such it should have the makers name marked and probably Italian proof marks. Great fun to shoot, but not much collector interest. We have a good article on our site http://armscollectors.com/mgs/army_revolvers_part_2.htm John Spangler

15513 - Model 94 Ranger
11/12/2016
Michael, Berthoud, CO, USA

Maker: Winchester, Model: Model 94 Ranger, Caliber: 30, Barrel Length: 20, Finish: Blue, SN: 5562283

Question:
My brother gave me a Winchester model 94 with serial number 5562283. It has never been fired, loaded or dry cocked. I am wondering what year is was made.

Answer:
Your Winchester Model 1894 Ranger was produced in 1989. The Ranger series of rifles was an attempt by Winchester (or US Repeating Arms) to economize the original 1894 design invented by John M. Browning. Alterations include a rebounding hammer, birch wood stocks, and a more economical fit and finish process. If you are curious for an estimate of the value of your rifle we believe, assuming a new in box (with box) condition, your rifle would be worth around $300. The 1894 Ranger series of rifle were made to be used hard and put away dirty. We do not believe the value of your rifle will be diminished should you choose to use and enjoy it. JTW

15376 - KRAG RIFLE
11/8/2016
Ray Waterford mi

Maker: Springfield, Model: Krag Jorgensen 1898, Caliber: 30-40, Barrel Length: 21, Finish: Blue, SN: 204655

Question:
Any information pertaining to my serial number, was my great grandfathers gun he brought 2 back from when he was in the service and one is mine and the others is my fathers

Answer:
Ray- Krag rifle serial number 204655 was made in 1899 as a standard infantry rifle with a 30 inch barrel. While it may have been brought home as family legend suggests, it is also possible that it was purchased from a surplus dealer. In any case, if the barrel is 21 inches long now, it has been cut down, probably for use as a deer rifle long ago. That pretty well destroyed the collector value, but not the sentimental value, so enjoy. John Spangler

15515 - German Marked MAB Mod. D
11/8/2016
John, Newbury, Berks, UK

Maker: MAB, Model: MAB Brevete Modele D, Caliber: 7.65, Barrel Length: Approx 5 Ins, Finish: Black Steel, SN: 77XXX

Markings:
Stamped on one side 77XXX WaA251, on the other Pistolet Automatique Cal 7.65MAB Brevete Modele D. Grip black plastic ? with MAB.

Question:
This was a war souvenir brought back by my late uncle. Can you tell me about it, is it French ? Who would have been issued with it ? What does MAB stand for ?Anything you may know about it please.

Answer:
John, Manufacture d'Armes de Bayonne (MAB) began business in 1921. The MAB Model D was introduced in 1933, like the Browning Model 1910, the MAB Model D carries the recoil spring around its barrel. The grip is unusually deep from front to rear, which gives the pistol an ungainly appearance. The Model D has a four inch barrel and was originally offered in 7.65mm (.32 caliber) and later in 9mm short (.380 caliber). The town of Bayonne was occupied by German troops on the 26th of June, 1940, as was the town of Hendaye, both having been specifically "requested" by the Germans at the armistice conference. The MAB factory was thereafter operated by French personnel who were supervised by Germans. From the summer of 1940 to the close of 1942, between 51,160 and 54,000 MAB model D pistols were procured by the Heerseswaffenamt from this location. According to the factory, the serial numbers were initiated at approximately # 47000 and terminated at # 97000. An alloy frame was utilized on the late weapons. The German designation for the pistol was Pistole MAB Kaliber 7.65 mm. Manufacture d'Armes de Bayonne. The WaA251stamping that you have described, is the German WW-II Heerswaffenamt inspectors mark for the Spanish Astra models 300 and 600, the Star model B, the French model 1935 A, the Unique models 17 and Kriegsmodell and the MAB model D... Marc

15512 - SVW P.38
11/5/2016
John

Maker: Unknown, Model: P.38, Caliber: 9MM, Barrel Length: 5¨, Finish: Blue, SN: 85XX

Markings:
On the left side of the slide is P.38 followed by SVW. underneath the SVW is the number 45. On the right side of the slide there is a small star. The grips are metal.

Question:
I would like to know what countries other than Germany manufactured the P.38 and this firearm in particular. Thank You

Answer:
John, SVW is a WW-II German ordnance code that was assigned to Mauser-Werke, Oberndorf on the Neckar, Germany in January of 1945. The 45 beneath the SVW is the year of manufacture. Your P.38 should be stamped with two military acceptance stamps (eagle over WaA135) on the left side of the slide with a military test proof (eagle over swastika) in between. The right side of the slide should also be stamped with one military acceptance stamp. I am not sure what the star stamping is, but it was probably added after the war (maybe one of our readers can help with this). P.38 pistols were mainly manufactured in Germany, and after the war in France by Manurhin as the P-1... Marc

15373 - REMINGTON MAYNARD CONVERSION OF M1816 MUSKET
11/5/2016
jim gatlinburg Tnnessee

Maker: Remington, Model: ?, Caliber: 69, Barrel Length: Unknown, Finish: Don`t Know, SN: ?

Question:
what is the value of a 1816 US musket made by Remington arms co and in 1850 sent back to Remington and converted from flintlock to cap-lock and changed from smooth bore to rifle bore with long range sight added to rear of barrel, Maynard tape primer, and bayonet

Answer:
jim- You have one of the 20,000 Model 1816 smoothbore .69 caliber flintlock muskets converted to percussion and rifled and sighted circa 1855-1856. The locks included the newly adopted Maynard tape primer system, and were intended to bring the old muskets up to current standards (except for being in the larger .69 caliber instead of .58). The locks and the new breech plugs and bolsters were made by Remington and shipped to Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia where the actual conversion work and rifling of the barrels and addition of sights was done. These were widely used during the early years of the Civil War and while examples are not scarce, it is difficult to find them in excellent condition since most saw extensive service. Exact value is hard to tell, and prices for Civil War guns seem to have peaked and fallen slightly in recent years. At a good antique gun show I would expect to see typical condition examples offered somewhere around $1500. Hope that helps. John Spangler

15511 - 41-42 Luger
11/1/2016
MauserVic@prodigy.com

Maker: Mauser, Model: Luger, Caliber: 9mm, Barrel Length: 4 Inch, Finish: Blue, SN: 80XX

Question:
My question are in reference to a Luger pistol that I acquired not to long ago, here's the description: four digit ser# 80xx, It has a "41" on the chamber, a "42" on the toggle. On the right side of the receiver it has 3 Nazi eagles, 2 with the number"655" underneath, and one with a swastika underneath. On the left side it has "P.08" stamped on it{towards the rear of the receiver). The finish on the pistol is blue and is about 98%. All the numbers match except the magazine, which doesn't have a number but has a "+", and a Nazi eagle with a "37" under it. The grips are black plastic and DON'T have the east German "bulls eye" on them. 1. What's the value of this Pistol? 2. Is it in any way rare or desirable from a collectors point of view? 3.Anything special or interesting about it?

Answer:
Victor, your Luger sounds like a very rare model known as the 41-42. All 41-42's were manufactured by Mauser in January of 1941 and only 7,000 were produced. The 655 marking on your Luger is the German WW-II Heerswaffenamt inspector's mark on arms produced at Mauser Werke AG, Oberndorf am Neckar, Germany and the 42 on the toggle is a German ordnance code that was also assigned to Mauser-Werke. I can find no references to model 41-42's having black grips, everything that I have shows them with the standard wooden ones. Normally black grips are only encountered on Mauser ''Black Widow'' models which have the byf Mauser manufacturer code stamped on them. The black grips may or may not be original. The number 37 on your magazine is the German WW-II Heerswaffenamt inspectors mark for Haenel P-08 magazines. As to the value of your Luger, a Model 41-42 in that is all original and in 98% condition should be worth in the $2200 plus dollar range... Marc

15370 - “ Buffalo Bob Boone’s ” Colt .45
11/1/2016
Ray

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

Question:
This was purchased in Santa Fe . It was said to have belonged to ''Buffalo Bob Boone'' It is an 1800`s Colt. Do you know anything about this gun?

Answer:
Ray- Sorry, I do not know anything about “Buffalo Bob Boone” or his guns.

I do know that P.T. Barnum once said “There is a sucker born every minute” but I don’t think all of them are gun collectors. But, enough are that some unethical dealers (that is a polite way of saying “lying, thieving, worthless SOBs”) will come up with some story to help sell a gun, usually one that has condition problems, or is undesirable to unsellable.

I could find nothing using Google on “Buffalo Bob Boone” but more mature citizens will recall that there was a “Buffalo Bob” on the Howdy Doody show, so this might be a bunch of doody.

I hope you did not pay too much for it. John Spangler

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