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15354 - 9422 Productiion Date
3/29/2016
Guy Edward Tipton III

Maker: Winchester, Model: 9422M XTR, Caliber: 22 Magnum, Barrel Length: 20 1/2, Finish: Blue, SN: F330097

Markings:
none

Question:
the age of rifle. thank you

Answer:
The Winchester Model 9422 rifle was designed to look and feel like the popular Model 94 30-30 center fire rifle, it was introduced in both 22 rim fire and 22 magnum rim fire chamberings in 1972. Winchester intended the 9422 to represent a reaffirmed commitment on to quality and workmanship, as a result no expense was spared on design, quality control or production. Due to it's great design and the overall quality of workmanship, the 9422 rapidly became one of the most popular Winchester rifles of this century with over 1,000,000 rifles having been manufactured.

Apparently if you call Winchester, they can tell you year of manufacture but they have not released a public database of production dates for the Model 9422, this makes it hard for me to give a precise date. However, the Model 9422 has enjoyed a robust following, so much so that an unofficial serial number range has been collected. That said, it is likely that your rifle was produced in 1977. Josh

15295 - Krag Rifle Information
3/29/2016
Opey

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

Question:
I recently came into possession of a 1898 30-40 Krag, otherwise known as a 30 Army. I'm trying to find out any information about it I can. It was my great-grandfather's, who was a captain in the army in the early teens and twenties. I myself am a Marine, spent my last year and a half in the Corps as a coach then PMI on the rifle and pistol ranges, so any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated. The serial number is 316961. I know it was manufactured in 1901, but that's about all I've been able to find out so far.

Answer:
Opey- Thanks for your service, Marine! Your rifle was made in 1901. There are no surviving records of when or where it was issued or used or sold as surplus.

Krags remained in service on a limited basis through WW1, and most were sold off as surplus in the 1920s and 1930s.

Most in that serial number range were standard M1898 rifles with 30 inch barrel and full length stock. There are occasional M1899 carbines scattered in, with 22 inch barrels. There are also a very small number of "sub caliber" or "sub target" guns mixed in. The former were basically a barreled action used for reduced range firing in artillery pieces, and the latter for indoor use with a complex mounting system and paper targets attached near the muzzle. The terms are sometimes mixed together, and the "sub target" rifles were made with receivers which were a bit different at the back. This is only visible if taken out of the stock, and standard stocks can be modified to fit, and many of the sub target rifles were converted into regular rifles or sporters after they became obsolete. John Spangler

15351 - Follow The Link
3/26/2016
ed Tampa fl

Maker: Winchester, Model: 94, Caliber: 30-30, Barrel Length: 22'', Finish: Don`t Know, SN: 4923237

Question:
when was this rifle manufactured?

Answer:
ed - follow the Winchester link under the Manufacture Dates heading on or menu. The menu is on the left hand side of the page at FineOldGuns.com. Marc

15294 - Military .38 Special Ammunition
3/26/2016
Drew

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

Question:
I have several old cartridges that I received with my uncles Taurus Mod 80 38spl. They are marked R A 6 5 on the head. Can you tell me what caliber these are?

Answer:
Sir- RA 65 indicates original manufacture by Remington Arms in 1965.

I am pretty sure these are military issue .38 special cartridges, which were designated M41 by the military, and have full metal jackets to comply with Geneva Convention rules. Those are perfectly safe to use in any modern gun chambered for .38 Special if it is safe to shoot other commercial ammunition.

However, it may be that these are fired cases from the military M41 loads which have been reloaded with another type bullet and unknown powder charges. So, it anything other than round nose full metal jacket bullets, I would be reluctant to use them, just as with any reloads I have not done myself. Hope that helps. John Spangler

15353 - Colt Verified Proof Marking
3/22/2016
Patrick, Madison, Florida

Maker: Colt, Model: Woodsman, Series 2, Caliber: .22 LR, Barrel Length: 4.5 inches, Finish: Blue, SN: 32205-S

Markings:
On the trigger guard left side there appears to be 0 over an inverted triangle. Within the triangle is a ''VP'' with the side of the V and the P sharing the same line. This is stamped and on the right side is a ''0'' is stamped.

Question:
Serial number dated this 1948. Do the stamps on the trigger guard clarify the date or mean anything unusual?

Answer:
Patrick, around the turn of the last century, in the early 1900s, there were many firearms manufactures turning out cheep, poor quality `suicide special` type handguns at inexpensive prices. The VP in a triangle marking that you are asking about was first introduced by Colt in 1905 to indicate a higher quality firearm that had been proof tested before leaving the factory. I have no information on the `0` stamping but different numbers are often stamped on Colt trigger guards, they may have something to do with quality control or the assembly process. Marc

15293 - Remington Model 11 Date Of Manufacture
3/22/2016
Scott, South Dakota

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

Question:
My dad has a Remington Model 11 12 ga shotgun and we'd like to know the manufacture date. The serial number is 769197 and letter code on the side

Answer:
Scott- Using information from the Remington Society of America site (http://www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/) it appears that your shotgun was made in 1946 or 1947 near the very end of Model 11 production. John Spangler

15350 - T-76 M1- Garand
3/19/2016
USA

Maker: U.S. Rifle, Model: T-76, Caliber: .30-06, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Parkerized, SN: 1910813

Markings:
U.S. Rifle, Cal. .30 M!, Springfield Armory

Question:
I have a T-76, a short version of the M1 Garand. Can you tell me if it is an original factory version or an after market rifle with the serial #? If it is original, can I get paper verification? Thank you. William

Answer:
There was only one "factory version" of the M1 Garand (sometimes called a Garand carbine and erroneously referred to as "Tanker Garand"). It was made in 1944 at Springfield Armory, tested, found wanting, and apparently destroyed. About 150 more were made in the Philippines by an Army general also trying to create a short barreled version of the Garand. They were sent to Springfield Armory for testing, but the U.S. Military never manufactured a short barreled Garand. So to answer your first question, there are no government documents concerning a short barreled Garand because such a rife was never part of the government inventory.

In the 1960's the enterprising folks at National Ordnance, a private company, created what is often called the "Tanker" Garand to increase their sales of surplus Garands. The rifles were made on surplus government Garand receivers, but the barrel, operating rod, and front hand guard all had to be shortened. Marc

15292 - Japanese Rifle History
3/19/2016
Mike

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

Question:
I have a type 38 with mum and AA sights all numbers match. I am trying to trace the serial number to see where it came from exactly, if there is a way to do that. I would appreciate any help. Thanks for your time

Answer:
Mike- If you are asking about the maker, that can be determined by the symbols on the left side of the receiver near the serial number.

If you are asking about the history of usage and how it ended up in the U.S., then I am afraid there is no source at all for that information.

Probably 95% of the Japanese rifles in the U.S. were brought here by service members following WW2. Some were battlefield captures, and some were simply passed out to occupation forces as souvenirs from Japanese arsenal stockpiles. Although most originally had paperwork signed at the unit level authorizing an individual to possess and import a rifle, most of those papers were lost or trashed long ago. That is why collectors especially like guns with the “capture papers.” John Spangler

15349 - Winchester 670 Production Info
3/15/2016
Canada

Maker: Winchester, Model: 670, Caliber: 243, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: G222744

Question:
Hi I was wondering if you could tell me the date of manufacturing for this rifle and how many were produced? Thanks.

Answer:
The Winchester Model 670 was first cataloged for sale in 1967 and remained in production until 1973. Total manufacture is estimated to be under 300,000 total rifles. Information pertaining to the production runs for the 670 is at best speculative, as Winchester either did not maintain a serial number data base, or what data was retained has been lost or destroyed. Because of this, there is no way to know precisely when your rifle was produced. Josh

15291 - Remington .41 Caliber Double Barrel Derringer
3/15/2016

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

Question:
Pistol has the number 517 on the under side of the 3 inch barrel. . . . .would like to know date of manufacture.

Answer:
Sir- Sorry, we cannot much help with that one. The numbers on these are not the typical serial numbers you can get dates from. There are a few subtle differences in markings that narrow it down a bit, but overall, they are almost impossible to date very precisely- even to a broad 1898 versus post 1898 cutoff.

Maybe the good folks at the Remington Society of America can help. John Spangler

15348 - Vale For A Blasted, Broken And Buggered Dresye
3/12/2016
Bryan

Maker: Dresye, Model: ?, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: SN26251

Markings:
SN26251, KPPB No.750

Question:
My father is the only US owner, he brought it home after WWII 1945. He put the gun in the bottom drawer of the night stand beside his bed and it stayed there wrapped up in a hospital-type cloth of the 40s until he died in 2009. Then I brought it to my home. I think he may have shot the gun about 10 ten times I'm told and I have shot it once. I assure you the gun is in its original condition as when he brought it to the US. I have provided pictures

Answer:
Bryan, family histories are notoriously unreliable. Only the very foolish or those who are new to collecting put much stock in them without supporting documentation. The rough (probably sandblasted) finish of the metal that I can see in the pictures along with the pitting on the lanyard ring and buggered screw heads are all evidence that your pistol has at least been improperly disassembled and almost certainly re-finished at one time or another in it's lifetime. Possibly before it came into your father's possession or possibly by your father without your knowledge.

Even if the finish were original, there is little to no collector interest in most Dresye handguns. With the, buggered screw heads, pitting, sandblasted metal and broken grips, retail value is in the $50 to $100 range. Marc

15347 - Winchester Identification
3/12/2016
USA

Maker: Winchester, Model: ?, Caliber: 30-30, Barrel Length: 24, Finish: Blue, SN: 39981

Markings:
The model number is on the tang below the hammer, however it is badly worn and is not legible. On the rear sight it is dated 1886, is there another way to identify this gun as to model number?

Question:
How to identify my Winchester 30-30 with octagon barrel?

Answer:
Send us an e-mail via the following link and we will try to help - http://oldguns.net/email/ Marc

15290 - 1860 Spencer Carbine Information
3/12/2016
Larry, Ohio

Maker: Spencer, Model: 1860 Carbine, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: 40406

Question:
Looking for mfg. date and other info for my 1860 spencer carbine #40406. Has the correct double cartouche marks.

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 Volunteer Cavalry; 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 on all types of Spencers 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. John Spangler

15346 - Winchester 1890 With Shiny Parts
3/8/2016
Steve cook. birch

Maker: Winchester, Model: 1890, Caliber: 22 Short, Barrel Length: 24in, Finish: Blue, SN: 220246

Markings:
nickel breech and butt plate.

Question:
I think the breech and butt plate are nickel or stainless. not sure. was this a Winchester add on? rifle is in perfect shape. had it for about 50yrs. thanks Steve cook

Answer:
Steve, Winchester did not produce any nickel or stainless Model 1890 rifles. Three options come to mind that can explain the appearance of your rifle. First, it is improbable but not impossible that this is a special order from Winchester. If you believe this to be the case I strongly recommend that you contact an expert in your area so they can physically review the gun to provide you with their opinion. Second, it may be that an enterprising gunsmith decided to add some extra finishing touches to your rifle by either nickel or chrome plating these parts, or taking a buffing wheel to them to give them a more radiant appearance. Lastly, what you may be seeing is the original parts with exposed metal because the blue finish has been worn away. The serial number for your rifle dates it at a 1904 production, so it is reasonable to suspect that this may be the case. Josh

15288 - Remington Rand M1911A1 Pistol
3/8/2016
Chuck, Indiana

Maker: Remington Rand, Model: ?, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: 1024863

Question:
Hello, Could you help me find out what Branch of Service, and or unit, my Remington Rand Ser# 1024863 belonged to? I received it in a trade and would like to find out about its history. Thank you for your help.

Answer:
Chuck- Sorry we are unable to help, and there is slim chance that anyone else can either.

While you cannot know the specific history, it is certainly a good representative of the sidearm carried by men in all branches of the service in several wars, some seeing combat action, and many ending up in less exciting, but no less vital assignments far from the front. John Spangler

15342 - Santa Fe Copy
3/5/2016
Dick Avoca Wi

Maker: Santa Fe, Model: 1903, Caliber: 30-06, Barrel Length: 24'', Finish: Blue, SN: 5002500

Question:
What year was this rifle MFG?

Answer:
Dick, Santa Fe / Golden State was one of the big surplus dealers/importers in the golden age of military surplus arms circa 1960-64 when millions of military surplus rifles were dumped at unbelievable prices. Remington Rolling blocks were 62 cents a pound, .303 Lee Enfields were retailing at $9.95 in local department stores; M1917 Enfields were $29.95 and M1 Garands made in 1941 were being sold in 100% original condition with about 98-99% finish for $79.95 after being brought back from England where they had been sent as Lend Lease supplies in the dark days of 1942.

About 2500 M1903A3 rifles were made by Santa Fe of Pasadena, California circa 1965-66, about the same time that National Ordnance was making theirs. Both used commercially made receivers, reportedly castings originating in Yugoslavia or Spain. Most of the remaining parts were GI surplus, although handguards, upper bands, and rear sights are often crudely made copies. Most collectors consider these rifles to be junk and worth about half of what the salvageable parts might be worth. Marc

15287 - 1833 Springfield Rifle
3/5/2016
Jeff

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

Question:
Hi, I was looking for help ID my 1833 stamped Springfield percussion long rifle. The steel barrel is 42" long with the sight at the end and it has ram rod. 57.5" in total length. Has "1833" and "US" stamped with eagle holding arrows on side. "EA", "JR", "GG"(in cursive) are all are separately stamped on underside. "V" is stamped on steel barrel on top.

The very end bracket that holds the tip of ram rod to the barrel has come off on one side. there is still the other side which is still welded together. Nothing is affected by this. Seems to be a smooth bore inside barrel.

I can't find anything with this 1833 year? Not even in antique price guide book. Do you know anything about it exactly? value? Thank you.

Answer:
Jeff- It sounds like you have a standard M1816 flintlock musket that was converted to percussion. These were made from about 1817 until about 1840.

I suspect that it was later "sporterized" and had the forend wood shortened and two or three small tubes soldered to the barrel to guide the ramrod. There were three bands holding the stock and barrel together when it was made.

Here is a M1816 musket in flintlock for comparison.

http://www.campsiteartifacts.com/m1816springfieldflintlock.html

If all original and still in flintlock, one shown in the photos might bring about $1800-2500.

If converted to percussion but otherwise unaltered, they bring more like $750-900. If "sporterized" then value drops to more like $400-500 if in otherwise excellent condition, but more like $250-300 if in typical condition with pitting around the breech. Hope that helps. John Spangler

15336 - Rifle Identification
3/1/2016
Desiree, Fairfax, Ok.

Maker: Unsure, Model: ?, Caliber: 22 Or 25, Barrel Length: 22 Inches, Finish: Blue, SN: DOESN`T HAVE A SERIAL NUMBER

Markings:
On the right hand side of the receiver it has a B and a U with a crown above each letter. On the left side of the barrel it has 0,2gr N.G.P. M/71 18gr BL On the underside of the barrel it has 5,3 n/m and 3 crowns with the letters BGU underneath them.

Question:
I bought this gun at a pawn shop a few weeks ago. I haven`t been able to find out anything on it. It doesn`t seem to have a makers mark and it is to old to have serial numbers. It looks to be either a 22 or 25 cal. It is dovetailed for sights. The stock is walnut and it has set triggers. The trigger guard is plain. Is there anyway I could send you a few pictures, so that you could maybe help me find out who made it and what it might be worth?

Answer:
Desiree, the letters B and U and a crown were stamped on guns made in German for commercial sales and were part of the government required proofing process. Proofing was the requirement that gun had to fire one or two powerful rounds to see if the metal could handle the pressure before the gun could be sold. About 1940 the Nazi government changed the commercial proof markings and replaced the letter N with a swastika. I would suspect you have 22 caliber rifle made in Germany in the 1920s or 1930s. Many were brought back by soldiers after the war.

15286 - Winchester Model 69 Rifle
3/1/2016
Nicky South Africa

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

Question:
I have a .22 WINCHESTER Model 69A Ser. #16878 of which I am keen to obtain ANY information I can get, like; Date of manufacture; Where & when it was manufactured and perhaps a value of the gun, etc., etc.. The rifle used to belong to my late grandfather and the gun was passed on to me. I would really like to know more about the rifle. Regards.

Answer:
Nicky- Winchester introduced the Model 69 rifle in 1935 as an inexpensive .22 caliber bolt action magazine fed rifle. It went through a number of changes over the years before production ended in 1963 with over 355,000 rifles made. The change from the Model 69 to the Model 69A marked the change from the bolt cocking on closing to cocking on opening. More rifles were made in 1935, the first year of production, than any other year, with nearly 31,000 made. Yours with serial number 16878 would have been made in that year.

We cannot help much with value in South Africa, but here in the U.S., we see these selling in the range of $150-350 depending on condition. These are well made and reliable guns, and should last for many generations, so enjoy using it. John Spangler

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