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15638  - Urrejola Y Cia
6/27/2017
Donald, Plains, PA, USA

Maker: Eibar, Model: Urrejola YCA, Caliber: 7.65, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 4034

Markings:
On the clip of the gun there is an oval with an "A" in the center.

Question:
I just obtained this gun and I would like more information about it. I would like to know the location it was made and the year it was made. I have searched for information on it but I cannot find any.

 Answer:
Donald, Urrejola y Cia was one of many small gun manufacturing firms located in Eibar Spain that did sub-contract work from 1915 to 1918 for Gabilondo y Urresti, who had received an open-ended contract from the French Army for 30,000 'Ruby' pistols every month. Urrejola y Cia continued to make the Ruby 7.65mm pistol until the early 1920s. Due to the poor quality of their product and high competition from other firms in the area the company was forced out of business before 1925. Marc



15580  - R P B MAC 10 .45 A C P Tracing Gun To Dealer
6/27/2017


Maker: R P B, Model: MAC 10, Caliber: 45 A C P, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
Can you tell me if the RBE Industries Inc. is the manufacturer of a 45 auto cal M10 ???? Is this a hard gun to trace the sellers?

 Answer:
- I think you are asking about the "MAC 10" type firearms, some of which were made by RPB Industries of Georgia, circa 1976-1983. You can read more about the various makers and the weapons at:

http://www.firearmsid.com/feature%20articles/012001/mac10history.htm

As far as tracking a gun back to a seller, that is very difficult for an individual do, unless they can trace it back one step at a time. If the gun was used in a crime, then it is fairly easy for the local police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) to trace it. First, if it is the submachine gun version of the MAC-10 made by RPB, then is had to be registered with BATFE and they can easily check their records to find out to whom it was registered, and probably back through prior owners. If it is a semi-auto and not subject to listing the the National Firearms Registry, then the BATFE has the legal power to initiate a "trace" by going to the manufacturer (or if they are out of business, to their records which were turned over to BATFE when they went out of business) to see where the manufacturer shipped it, and then trace it forward to the distributor then the dealer and by the dealer's 4473 records to the retail buyer.

We do not mess with any "class 3" machine gun type items but that is our take on what you are asking about. John Spangler



15579  - Replacement Of Drilling Buttstock
6/24/2017
Out of luck Chuck

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

Question:
I have a 16ga.X9.72 Drilling the needs a replacement stock. Do you have anything that might fit?

 Answer:
Chuck- Sorry, we cannot help with that one. Those were not mas produced items so there are no spare parts to be had.

Realistically you have two choices:

A- Find a gunsmith who is good with wood and see if they can repair it. This may cost something in the range of $200-400 or more depending on how much work is required, assuming it can be salvaged at all. Figure about 6 month wait for the work to be done.

B- Have a custom gunsmith make you a new stock from scratch. I do not have any basis for a cost on this one, but my best guess would be in the $1,000 plus range, and take about 2 years.

Check with Bill Sporchich at http://www.gunstockmaker.com/index.html He did a repair job for me and the work was outstanding and I thought his prices were very reasonable for the skill needed to do first class work. John Spangler



15637  - Tiger Revolver
6/24/2017
Diana, Poplarville, MS

Maker: Unknown, Model: Unknown, Caliber: Unknown, Barrel Length: 2'' ??, Finish: Nickel, SN: NONE FOUND ON GUN

Markings:
I hope you might help me identify an old pocket revolver, nickel plated, pearl handle, engraved (very poorly), 7 inches long (entire gun), 5 shot. the only identifier on it is ''TIGER NO. 2'' on the very top ridge of the body above the cartridge. No serial number or anything else I can see. the cartridge is held in by a pin and pops out the side when you remove the pin. No trigger guard. barrel is octagonal. I believe it is single action. I don`t know enough about guns to tell you any more. I believe it is late 1800s or early 1900s.

Question:
Thank you for any help you can provide to identify it.

 Answer:
Diana - I was unable to find much information on your revolver. One source indicates that Tiger was a trade name used by Iver Johnson Arms and Cycle Works on some of their inexpensive pocket revolvers. Marc



15634  - Winchester 74 Serial Number Location
6/20/2017
Teri

Maker: Winchester, Model: 74, Caliber: 22, Barrel Length: Long, Finish: Don`t Know, SN: ??

Question:
Where can I find the serial number? This is old. It was my Grandfather`s and I`m 61 (& my dad was the youngest of 11).

 Answer:
Teri, Winchester manufactured the Model 74 Automatic Rifle from 1939 to 1955, total production was 406,600. Rifles were offered chambered in 22 Short, or 22 Long Rifle rimfire. When the model was first introduced sales and distribution were hindered by the start of World War II, but after the war, the Model turned out to be a great success. Standard rifles had a plain walnut pistol grip half-stock with a broad or semi-beaver tail forend. The magazine was a tubular type, located in the butt and it could hold 14 22LR, or 20 22 Short rounds. Sights were the Spring-and-slider type.

I can not say for sure without seeing your rifle but it may not have a serial number. Firearms manufactured before 1968 were not required by law to have serial numbers as they are today. It is not uncommon to find older firearms that are not numbered. Marc



15578  - WW2 9mm Parabellum Ammunition By Winchester
6/20/2017
Wesley

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

Question:
I was given a box of WWII ammunition from a friend of mine. He was in the Royal Air Force and given these rounds. The box is marked as follows WINCHESTER
50 CARTRIDGES
9M/M PARABELLUM
FOR USE IN
SUB-MACHINE GUN
WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.
DIVISION OF WESTERN CARTRIDGE CO.
NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A.
On the side of the box it marked. W.R.A. LOT 22062 My question is can you tell me when this ammunition was made and what weapons it was used in. So I know it is at least 75 years old could be older but I am not sure. I hope you can help me with this information. I would really like to thank you for your time. Please let me know.

 Answer:
Wesley- This ammunition was made i the U.S. for British use during WW2 circa 1941-1943. It was mainly for use in the British STEN submachine guns, but they has some other submachine guns which used it as well. This is fairly well known on the collector market and values are modest, around $15-25 per box, not really much more than for new shooting ammo. Hope that helps. John Spangler



15577  - Krag - Cut Down Or Carbine?
6/17/2017
Alvin

Maker: Springfield, Model: 1898, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
I have recently found a model 1898 springfield armory sn# 422687. I am trying to decide if this is an original carbine with 22 inch barrel or if it was a rifle that was sportized can you give me any info

 Answer:
Alvin- Your rifle started off as a standard infantry rifle with a 30 inch barrel. All surviving records for serial numbers in that range are for rifles, not carbines, and after 1898 (about serial number 160,000) the carbines were marked MODEL 1899 on the receiver, not MODEL 1898. John Spangler



15635  - Karg Parts Needed
6/17/2017
Jim, Marquette, MI

Maker: Springfield, Model: 1898 30-40 Krag, Caliber: .30, Barrel Length: 30'', Finish: Blue, SN: ?

Question:
I am looking for a part for the rear sight, which is a model 1901. The part is the binder screw that holds the binder at the front of the sight. Turning the binder allows the sight to rotate slightly for windage adjustments. It is just the binder screw I am looking for. Thanks.

 Answer:
We do not have the parts that you need. Recommend you check with Gun Parts Corp (the old Numrich Arms people) at the following URL:

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/

Gun Parts Corp has just about everything. If that doesn't work, try posting it on our free "Wanted" page at the following URL:

http://oldguns.net/submitwn.htm

Hope this helps, Marc



15576  - Lever Action Shotgun
6/14/2017
Donald

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

Question:
Before my father passed away, he gave it to me. It had a symbol of two big R's and a date of 1886-1887. While living in Ohio it was stolen. It was lever action, and held 5+1 it was a 12 gauge. I don't ever to expect to find it, but I was told by a good gun smith they make replicas of this shot gun. If they do can you let me know the Manufacture of the shotgun, and how much they are.

 Answer:
Donald- The big logo on the side was actually WRA for Winchester Repeating Arms Company. This was found on the Model 1887 and Model 1901 lever action shotguns which are nearly the same but the latter was made for smokeless powder.

They make replicas for the "Cowboy action shooters" which usually have relatively short barrels. Here is a link to one for sale, but you can find many more: http://www.jgsales.com/cai-pw87-1887-lever-action-shotgun,-12ga,-20-barrel,-new.-p-58410.html

Original Winchesters are available, but the prices are lot higher. John Spangler



15632  - J Stevens 32
6/14/2017
Rick Minoa ny

Maker: J Stevens A&t, Model: 32 Long, Caliber: .32 Rim Fire, Barrel Length: 26'' 1/3 Hex, Finish: Blue, SN: L0505

Markings:
Pat April 17 94

Question:
Good cont. Rough value to have ins. Out on it was given to me by my father in law when he died.

 Answer:
Rick, hard to say for sure without seeing your gun but I do not think that 32 long the correct model. Without knowing what model that you have, it is impossible for me to give you a value estimate. I suggest that you purchase a copy of ``Flayderman`s Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values``. Amazon sells them for around $25.00. Marc



15630  - Un- Ground T-99
6/10/2017
Tyler, Greenwood, SC

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

Markings:
Japanese chrysanthemum

Question:
I've inherited what I believe to be a Japanese Mauser from WWII sent home by my grandfather when he was stationed in Okinawa. I've done a little bit of research and it looks like it is actually an Arisaka K99(Im not sure if that is right). The gun is in excellent shape and its all original. It functions well and I don't see why I wouldn't be able to fire it. However, I am not sure about the ammo. It also has a symbol on it which is the Japanese chrysanthemum or emperors seal. From the research I've done it says that most of these were ground off after the war and I was wandering if that would make it worth more. Any information you could give me on this rifle including a ball park of what you think it may be worth would be very appreciated. Thanks

 Answer:
Tyler, the rifle you describe is called a Type 99. Depending on the model, it should have markings indicating this on the receiver unless it is a "last ditch" rifle. The markings are Japanese characters so you probably can't read them. The T99 rifle was adopted by the Japanese military in the year 1939, which gives you the year 99. The Bonzai website can help you to decipher the rest of the markings on the receiver including the maker, and which series it was from that maker. The website also has table that will give you the year the rifle was made.

If all correct and matching, with no modifications, your rifle should have the last three digits of the serial number stamped on the bottom of the bolt handle, the firing pin, the bayonet lug, and the end of the safety knob. The presence of the imperial chrysanthemum does add $50 to $100 to the value of the rifle. Marc



15575  - Krag Bayonet & Scabbard
6/10/2017
Kathey

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

Question:
I am trying to find any information on a bayonet that was given to my husband by his father who was in WWII. It has U.S. imprinted on one side of blade and 1908 on the other side. Nothing else. The wooden handle has two rivets.

It is in a leather sheath that has two belts around it. I'm not sure if the sheath came with this bayonet. Any information would be appreciated.

 Answer:
Kathey- You did a great job with the description. However, I am pretty sure the date is actually 1903, not 1908.

This is a Model 1892 Bayonet made for the .30-40 Krag rifles in use circa 1894-1906, but the would fit later Model 1903 rifles and later the M1 garand as well, and some were used at West Point into the 1950s. However regular issue stopped about 1910 when most Krag rifles were made obsolete.

The leather scabbard is actually a holder made for a cavalry picket pin, but the Krag bayonets fit in those nicely and surplus dealers often sold them together even though they were seldom if ever issued to troops as a combination.

Depending on condition, I would expect to find similar bayonets and leather cases offered at a gun show at prices around $50-100 retail.

Hope that helps. John Spangler



15629  - Gesichert Luger?
6/6/2017


Maker: Gesichert, Model: Luger, Caliber: 9mm, Barrel Length: Not Sure, Finish: Don't Know, SN: 6070

Markings:
S/42 on top of slide

Question:
I have this 1941 Luger with three stamps on the right side and an s/42 on the top I have done some research but can't find the s/42 mark any info would help with finding out what the worth could be

 Answer:
Gesichert is the German word for safe, not the manufacturer of your Luger. This pistol is designed so that the word Gesichert is visible when the safety is in the on position, thus indicating that the safety is turned on and the pistol is "safe".

S/42 was a WW-II German ordnance code assigned to Mauser-Werke AG, Oberndorff am Neckar, Germany. It is found on Mauser manufactured Lugers that are dated from 1936 to 1939.

Lugers with the S/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.
  • S/42 stamped on the forward toggle:
  • The four digit year of manufacture-1936 through 1939 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 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.

Hope this helps, Marc



15574  - Authenticating A Bonnie & Clyde Gun
6/6/2017
Chase

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

Question:
To whom this may concern, I was just looking around the internet trying to find a website or someone/somewhere that can authenticate guns, like possibly find out if a claim about a gun being owned by some significant historical person or used in an event is true. Well your website was about the only thing close so figured I’d shoot an email. My question is, Is it possible my grandfather has a gun used by captain Frank Hamer in the shooting of Bonnie and Clyde? Apparently my great grandfather was good friends with captain Frank Hamer back in the day, so my grandfather says. well couple days ago I was visiting my grandfather and we were talking about his large gun collection, when he brought the topic up. So he shows me this really old .38 special (might’ve been a super but almost positive it’s a special) in the really old looking leather holster. The gun had wooden handles you could tell were pretty old, but he also showed me some pearl handles that he said the gun came with as well. He goes on to tell me that my great grandfather was good friends with Hamer and that Hamer had given him the gun (or bought/traded not sure). But before my great grandfather died he passed the gun down to my grandfather leaving him that story. I truly believe the story about my great grandfather being friends with Frank Hamer and him giving him the gun, but I fall off when he claims the .38 special was used in the shooting of Bonnie and Clyde. Because of similar ages and time frame/period of the story, I truly believe Hamer previously owned this gun. Another thing that allows me to believe this is the fact of locations. After some research I found out Hamer worked in Houston, to add to that my great grandfather lived in Houston basically his whole life. Today my grandfather currently lives near Navasota which was where Hamer was a city marshal, doesn’t really have much significance, but is still the same area. the only problem I have is when I research the story there isn't anything about Hamer using or owning a .38 special in the shooting of Bonnie and Clyde. I do tend to keep coming across articles that state Hamer purchased a .38 super shortly before the Bonnie and Clyde incident due to its ability to penetrate cars and bullet proof vests used in that era. The main problem I see with this claim is that the .38 super is actually a smaller round that the .38 special. Please note, I am unsure about all the specifics on the two round and do not know for fact which round would penetrate things easier. Also the .38 super was introduced only a few years before the Bonnie and Clyde incident, from what I’ve read anywhere from 1925-1936, which leads me to believe not many people would have purchased it. Plus, Bonnie and Clyde were shot in 1934 so it’s a small gap between introduction and mass production to be able to use it. Also I read a lot of thing that said officers would prefer a .357 and .38 special over the .38 super, assuming Hamer would too, I mean everyone would have their own personal preference. I obviously want to believe my grandfather, and like I said before, I do believe Hamer owned the gun before. I was just curious if there is any way I could authenticate this claim or possibly anyone that may have some information on this. I can try and see if there is a serial number on the gun next time I visit, which might be the only way to confirm any truth out of this.

 Answer:
Chase- About all I can tell you is that the history of some guns can get a bit confused over years and multiple owners and the truth may be hard or even impossible to establish.

We recently sold a ratty old pre-Civil War musket which was reputed to have been used by some militia conscript to shoot himself in the foot to get out of going into battle. A history like that does not add a lot of value and probably is too unusual to be made up. However, many trucks would be needed to cart away all the guns which have been sold over the years as allegedly owned by famous outlaws or General Custer. Mrs. Pancho Villa reportedly lived quite well selling off “the General’s personal guns.” We have helped the Customs people in Afghanistan authenticate some of the old guns troops are trying to bring home as souvenirs, and have had to tell several people that their "antique gun dated 1857" was actually made long after that date, in one case it was even a WW2 era Russian rifle with fake markings added.

The best advice on stories and old guns is a talk given in 2003 by Jim Supica at a meeting of the Ohio Gun Collectors, before he became Curator at the NRA's national Firearms Museum. I urge you to read it at:

http://www.ogca.com/pieces_of_history_by_jim_supica.htm

John Spangler-



15567  - M1861 TRENTON MUSKET
6/3/2017
Bill, Grand Marais, MN

Maker: Trenton, Model: 1861 US Rifle Musket, Caliber: .58, Barrel Length: 40 Inch, Finish: Other, SN: NONE

Markings:
Marked US Trenton and dated 1863 on Lock Plate and barrel .. Also rack number 32 on barrel tang.

Question:
Looking to see if there is any correlation between what appears to be a rack # 32 and regiment that may have used it. Is there any research that would tie this gun to a particular unit

 Answer:
Bill- The Trenton Locomotive and Machine Company in Trenton, NJ delivered 11,495 Model 1861 .58 caliber rifle muskets in 1863-1864. This outfit was run by J.M. Hodge and A. M. Burton. A total of 265,129 of these muskets were made by Springfield Armory and 21 other contractors before being replaced by the slightly improved Model 1863 rifle muskets. Over the years many of these have become mixed with parts from other makers, during military service, assembled from parts by surplus merchants, or “improved” by later collectors. Thus it is hard to be sure that any particular combinations of parts or markings have been together since 1863.

During the Civil War unit markings on arms were prohibited by the Ordnance Department. Undoubtedly some units may have ignored this and marked them in some way, and many may have been marked in the post-war period when muskets were used by various state militia units. It is more likely that markings were applied as arms reached various veterans groups, military schools or theatrical groups.

Contemporary military records usually only refer to arms issued to a regiment as “.58 Springfield” with no indication of who actually made them, and a number on the tang is more likely to be a rack or serial number than a regimental number, so I think that the actual use of your gun will remain forever unknown. John Spangler



15628  - Ortgies 6.35 MM Pistol
6/3/2017
Bruce, Livonia, MI

Maker: Deutche Werke Werk Erfurt, Model: 6.35mm pistol, Caliber: 6.35mm, Barrel Length: 5 inch, Finish: Blue, SN: 54885

Markings:
D insignia each side in wooden handle. ORGIES PATENT marked one side. Has clip and ammo. Brought back from WWII by my father. N and diamond insignia behind trigger

Question:
What year is it? How much is it worth?

 Answer:
Bruce, The founder of Ortgies (Heinrich Ortgies) was a German but he lived in Liege for many years, and may have been connected with the firearms business there. During his residence in Belgium, Ortgies designed an automatic pistol incorporating certain ingenious details which he patented in about 1916. After WWI, Ortgies returned to Germany and set up in business in Erfurt manufacturing the Ortgies pistol. Ortgies manufactured upwards of 10,000 pistols and they proved to be such a great success that Deutsche Werke of Erfurt made him an attractive offer to buy his business which he accepted. In 1921 Deutsche Werke took over the Ortgies patents, tools and stock, and began making Ortgies pistols. Original Orgies made pistols are marked on the slide 'Ortgies & Co Erfurt Ortgies Patent', the grips came with a bronze medallion with the intertwined initials 'HO', these grip medallions were retained by Deutsche Werke for some years, and they also retained the wording 'Ortgies Patent'. Later production dropped both these features. Unfortunately there is not much collector interest in Ortgies pistols, they are fairly common and in low demand. The blue book lists values in the $100 to $200 range depending on condition, I have found them to be very slow sellers. Marc