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15853 - Paramount 25
7/31/2018
Martin

Maker: Paramount, Model: 635, Caliber: 25, Barrel Length: 2'', Finish: Blue, SN: 16772

Markings:
CAL 6-35 .*. in circle on both sides of grips.

Question:
I received this small pistol and don't know anything about it... Age? Manufactured by what company? How can I find parts, clip and new grips? Thank You !!!

Answer:
Martin, the paramount name was used circa 1920 to 1935 by Spanish firearms manufactures for several different models of 6.35mm and 7.65mm semi-automatic pistol. Most of the 6.35mm pistols were manufactured by Apaolozo Hermanos and Beistegui Hermanos, of Eibar and most of the 7.65mm pistols were manufactured by Retolaza Hermanos. Collector interest in these pistols is low or nonexistent, I would expect to see an example in fair condition offered for sale at a gunshow in the $50 or less range.

I would advise you to not waste your time and or money on restoring a pistol that will be worth less than $50 even if were in perfect condition, but for parts, try checking with Gun Parts Corp (the old Numrich Arms people) at the following URL:

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/

Gun Parts Corp has just about everything.

Hope this helps, Marc

15860 - Model 1917 Enfield Rifle Info
7/31/2018
chuck

Maker: Eddystone, Remington,winchester, Model: US M1917 Rifle, Caliber: .30-06, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: ?

Question:
Having some experience in restoring and collecting M1 rifles and carbines I would like to become better informed about what are the correct parts for restoring theM1917. The examples seen over the years are generally mixmasters and arsenal re-builds. Skennerton's ¨The US Enfield¨ is almost worthless for restoration info. The only other resource seem to be J.C. Harrison's ¨Collecting the P-17...¨. Isthis book worth the money for info regarding restoration (E,R,W markings on parts, etc.)?What I really need is a Scott Duff book on the subject like his works on the M1Garand. Again, I would appreciate any help on this request.

Answer:
Chuck- Glad you enjoy Scott Duff's M1 books. He has done a fine job, and deserves a lot of credit (and thanks) for them. I was talking with him today (He is using my Collection Inventory Starter Kit for all the guns in his collection; and I have sold him several rifles for his collection.) Anyway there is no good book on the M1917s right now. Skennerton is good on the history, but weak on details of the US model. Harrison's books look nice and have a lot of information, unfortunately too much of it incorrect and unsubstantiated. I feel I wasted my money on them. Nick Ferris who did the book on Rock Island M1903s may do one on M1917s. At least I encouraged him to do so when I saw him in Denver last week. Lacking good books, here's what I have learned to look for: (a) Nearly every part is marked with E (Eddystone) R (Remington) or W (Winchester). locations are different (upper band E on side, W on bottom of bayonet lug and R on rear of stacking swivel screw lug). Tear a couple of rifles apart and you will learn where to look. (b) All M1917s were originally finished blue, and most were overhauled after WW1 and parkerized. Many were rebuilt in WW2 (mostly for foreign aid vice US troop issue) using HS (High Standard) or JA (Johnson Automatics) barrels. As with M1s, rebuilds or restorations are less desirable than all original and matching stuff. Serial numbers were not marked on bolts in US service, but were in many British Commonwealth nations. If "bolt numbers match" that is an alarm that it is probably an import. Many pre 1968 imports were unmodified, and had red bands (indicating .30-06 ammo vice .303) and are fairly collectable. Recent imports have ranged from very nice to junk. (c) Watch headspace, I have seen a majority of recent imports checked show in excess of 1.950" max. Not sure why, but check with competent gunsmith before shooting one. (d) Early Winchesters (up to about 7,000?) were marked on receiver "W" instead of WINCHESTER. Reportedly produced betting on US approval, and not fully interchangeable with later standardized specifications. Reportedly rejected for use in France for that reason. These are unrecognized "sleepers" in my opinion, even if rebuilt (as both of mine are). (e) Bayonets are getting harder to find, especially Winchesters. Early ones were US overstamped on British markings and had P1907 scabbards altered to M1910 belt hooks. Early production bayonets had no "drain hole" in the pommel, later ones did. Winchester marks are both W and W in circle' Remington dated them both 1917 and 1918, latter scarce. M1917 leather scabbards were also issued for use with M1905 bayonets for M1903 Springfields. (f) Few, if any, changes in details of parts by makers during production period August 1917 to November 1918, just kept making them the same way throughout, having worked out most of the bugs during P1914 production. (g) Eddystone was Remington owned subsidiary near Philadelphia associated with Midvale Steel and Ordnance, and made no small arms stuff except the rifles (specially no bayonets). Supervisor was Conrad Nelson, formerly of Rock Island during their 03 phase. WHen rifles done, plant went to non-military production, mostly railroad stuff. (h) Interesting variant to look for is P14 with screw adjustable elevation on rear sight, little recognized British sniper arm without telescopic sights. (i) Barrel dates have been noted as late as 3-19 from Winchester clean up and probably made mostly as spare parts. Hope this helps... John Spangler

15852 - Austrian Marked Luger
7/28/2018
Vance, Fort Lauderdale, FL. USA

Maker: Luger Erfute, Model: 1918, Caliber: 9mm?, Barrel Length: 4'', Finish: Blue, SN: 8435

Markings:
Front of grip 3/.R.R.16.70. 8435 on left of barrel & front of frame. 35 on rt side frame/toggle above trigger/rear of sight/extractor/top toggle. Rt side barrel eagle crest with odd stamp and 2356.60. Frame above trigger eagle crest with odd stamp and 2356.60. 1918 / 20 top of barrel. Top toggle has other stamps I cannot decipher. Mag in non match #9735 with odd O, dagger?, eagle with 83 under it. Under barrel is marked made in Austria. ''Holster has a crown stamp with III under it on back, pull up strap works.

Question:
How rare is this piece & value.

Answer:
Vance, your Luger has some interesting markings, there are some that I can identify, but there are others that I have never seen on a Luger before.

The "1918 / 20" markings lead me to believe that your Luger is one of a type commonly known as a "Double Dated" Lugers. The Double Dated Lugers are usually WWI German military issue pistols that were factory reworked and reissued after WWI to German Army and Police units, as permitted by the treaty of Versailles. 1918 is the original year of manufacture. The 1920 meant the Luger could be legitimately issued to the new German army, the Reichswehr, or issued to the police. It may have been reworked or modified during this time. If the pistol was issued to the German police it may have been modified with a small metal bar on the left side of the upper receiver to prevent if from firing when it was partially disassembled.

"3/.R.R.16.70" is a unit marking, it stands for one of the two following definitions, depending on if first R is written in a script like, or regular font:

Infanterie Regiment 3 Rekrutendepot Kompagnie 16 Waffe Nr. 70

Reserve Infanterie Regiment 3 Kompagnie 16 Waffe Nr. 70

The markings that I can't identify are "Austria" and "2356.60". I am guessing that 2356.60 may be some sort of police - weapon, or rack number. Austria is an unusual marking to have on a Luger. It sounds like an import marking for the Luger's country of origin, these were applied in accordance wit U.S. laws to foreign manufactured firearms when they were imported into the United States. I have seen allot of Lugers that are marked "Germany" but I have never seen one that is marked "Austria". The Austrian police typically used pistols designed and made by the Steyr company. The Austrian Army was absorbed into the German Army after the Anschluss in 1938. The Austrian police continued to used Austrian manufactured weapons, but many were marked with the Nazi eagle.

For more information, a good place to look would be the Jan Still Luger forum at http://luger.gunboards.com/. Good luck, Marc

15859 - Hopkins & Allen Rifle
7/28/2018
Steve Huffman, shuffman@execpc.com

Maker: Hopkins & Allen, Model: Unknown (See Markings Below), Caliber: Stamped 32 R.F. (but Known To Shoot 32 C.F.), Barrel Length: 26 3/4¨, Finish: ? (Doesn't Appear Blued Or Browned, Quite Dark), SN: 9XXX

Markings:
On top of octagonal barrel, in front of blade site: MADE BY THE HOPKINS & ALLEN MANFG.CO. NORWICH CONN. U.S.A.MERWIN,HULBERT & CO. NEW YORK U.S.A. SOLE AGENTS On top of barrel, behind blade site; PAT. JUNE 23.85 OCT.2.88 DEC.9.90 32R.F.Serial number stamped on end of barrel that fits into receiver (can't be seen until barrel removed) an on end of receiver (both covered when barrel is in place).

Question:
Condition appears to be Good. Any information on the history of this would be appreciated. A gunsmith that looked at this years ago said it appeared to be professionally changed to center fire(?).

Answer:
Steve- Made sometime after the 1890 patent was issued and before Hopkins and Allen folded in 1917, is about all I can add. H&A made lots of different models, including many inexpensive "Boy's rifles" and it would be nearly impossible to further pin down the model without examining it in person. The finish was probably originally blue, now darkened to what collectors call "patina" but most folks call rust. In my experience these have low demand and values, unless in extra nice original condition. It is an interesting example of modification of an old gun to keep it firing when ammo was no longer available... John Spangler

15858 - Walther G-43 Rifle
7/24/2018
DEREK.SELTZER@MCKESSON.COM

Maker: Walther G-43 Ac-44code, Model: G-43, Caliber: 8mm, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Markings:
ac-44 with 2 bomb ord.marks on receiver

Question:
Can you give me a history on this rifle. I have heard they were sniper arms and noted that there is a side rail for scope mounting. I love shooting this rifle and am searching for a bio on its history. also, any info on how to obtain scope\mount and any books written would be helpful. thanks

Answer:
Derek, Your G43 was used by many German troops, and it was pretty successful, although not quite up to the "Finest Battle Implement Ever Devised" praise that Gen Patton gave to the U.S. M1 Garand rifle. All of the G43s included the rail on the side so a scope could be mounted (All our M14 rifles were made with a screw hole and three small locating ribs for mounting a scope.) However, that does not automatically make every rifle that can take a scope a sniper rifle. Scopes and mounts were made and issued in limited numbers to specially trained troops. Peter Senich's book "The German Sniper" discusses these in great detail. Original scopes (ZF-4) and mounts are somewhere around $500 to $700, if you can find one. SARCO in New Jersey sells a pretty good reproduction mount, and one of the Russian sniper scopes from the Mosin Nagant rifles that sells for less than $100 is similar in size, and would probably be satisfactory if you don't want to wait for an original. I do not know of any source of information to track the history of individual German weapons, unless they are GI souvenirs accompanied by "capture papers". I think that a reprint of the manual for the G43 has been available for a few bucks, but don't know the source. Maybe a note on the Century Arms page (see our links) would turn one up, and possibly a scope and mount... John Spangler

15851 - Early Colt 1911A1
7/24/2018
Alberto

Maker: Colt, Model: 1911 A1, Caliber: 45 A.c.p., Barrel Length: 5 In., Finish: Blue, SN: 734196

Markings:
I am since the early Sixties member of NRA (MTD8341W). I have a Colt 1911 A1 that remained in Italy since the Second World War complete with holster belt and magazines pouch. It is one of the 46000 made in blue finish. Condition overall inside and outside is 85-90%. Serial number n. 734XXX

Question:
When was it made and where was it shipped? Thank you in advance for your answer. Yours faithfully. Alberto Merli.

Answer:
Alberto, we are glad to be able to answer a question for someone who has a been an NRA member for as long as you have. Our records indicate that your 1911A1 was one of a lot of 1000 pistols shipped to the Commanding General at the Springfield Armory on July 18, 1941. Colt records normally do not list the type of finish that is on a pistol, but there is one with a lower serial number than yours (729993 assembled May 19, 1941) that is listed as being parkerized. Your pistol is probably one of the last military Colt 1911A1's to come from the Colt factory with a blue finish. Your pistol sounds like a very special item, if you ever want to sell it let us know... Marc

15849 - Gun Parts Source
7/21/2018
Jack, Spring Tx

Maker: Winchester, Model: 12, Caliber: 16 Ga, Barrel Length: 29 Or 30, Finish: Blue, SN: ?

Question:
Looking for a barrel. full choke

Answer:
Jack, for parts, try checking 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 https://www.gunbroker.com/. Marc

15857 - Pattern 1853 .577 "Enfield" Rifle Musket
7/21/2018
B. Baker e-mail: BBaker0330@aol.com

Maker: London Armory Co., Model: Rifle Musket / Enfield Pattern 1853, Caliber: .577, Barrel Length: Rifle / 39 In., Finish: Blued Barrel, Case Hardened Lock & Hammer, SN: INSPECTOR & PROOF MARKINGS ONLY

Question:
Barrel: lac (overstamped) in two places. lock: crown over v.r , l.a.co. 1861stock; crotche-- London armory company bermondsey 1862 . This piece is prior to the 1864 major caleb huse exclusive contract between London armory and the c.s.a.are any records available on earlier (1861-63) shipments which would indicate if this rifle was purchased by the north or south ?is a ¨t & co.¨ marked ramrod correct for this gun? Thanks b. baker

Answer:
Bernard, Your Pattern 1853 .577 "Enfield" rifle musket is generally considered by most collectors to be a legitimate Civil War arm. Precise linkage to either U.S. or C.S. use is difficult at best, and I am personally very skeptical of most of the "evidence" folks have about their particular item (usually seeking a Confederate pedigree). Both Federal and Confederate agents, and those from numerous state, and private speculators were competing for surplus and newly made arms in Europe from 1860 to 1865. Arms could have been sold in large lots or small, and then changed ownership one or more additional times before finally reaching American ports (north or south). Some southern shpments were captured running the blockade, and subsequently the arms issued to federal forces. The best general coverage of this subject remains Bill Edwards superb "Civil War Guns". More specific details are buried in the 128 volume "Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies in the War of the Rebellion." The Todd et al "American Military Equipage 1851-1872" series has good break down of arms used on a regimental level, extracted from the quarterly reports of ordnance, etc. I recently sold a P1853 Enfield (Tower 1861) with "64 NY" marks, which was accompanied by a nicely done set of documents about the regiment's history of engagements, etc. However, the records said they had Springfields!! Captured trophy, unofficial battlefield replacement, or pure B.S.... who knows? I sold it based on the value of the gun itself, with the caveat that the 64NY association was suspect. Sorry I don't have any definitive answers for you. It certainly sounds like a nice piece, representative of those popular with the Confederate forces, but probably not something that can be positively proven... John Spangler.

15848 - Marlin Serial Number
7/17/2018
Scott, Amarillo, TX,

Maker: Marlin, Model: 39a, Caliber: 22sl & lr, Barrel Length: 26 inches, Finish: Blue, SN: Only have e178 under lever

Question:
Cant find the serial number

Answer:
Scott, Marlin 39 serial numbers are usually on the tang but 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 at all. Marc

15822 - MISSISSIPPI VALLEY ARMS COMPANY SHOTGUN
7/17/2018
Ben

Maker: Mississippi Valley Arms Company, Model: ?, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
Found a Mississippi Valley Arms Co. break open, exposed hammer cock, 410 ga. shotgun. Serial number #711403. Is there anything you can tell me about this gun? When it was made? Where it was made? How old is it? Any value?

Answer:
Ben- Your shotgun was made for the Shapleigh Hardware Company of St. Louis, and was probably made by Stevens circa 1900-1930. Probably a reasonably decent gun, not one of the junky imports. Value will be modest and I would expect to find similar guns at a gun show priced around $35-95 retail depending on condition. Hope that helps. John Spangler

15821 - BROWNING .303 MACHINE GUN FOR SPITFIRE RESTORATION
7/14/2018
Gary

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

Question:
I'm hoping you can help me a bit here in finding a weapon for me. Actually it's not for me, but for a fellow volunteer at the aircraft restoration museum I volunteer at. My friend is building a WWII Spitfire, and from the ground up no less. His "real" job is he restores Stearmen biplanes. But I digress. He's getting close to finishing it now and would really like to find a Browning 303 like the plane used to carry. Any idea at all where he could find one? Do you happen have one laying around anywhere? I'll be standing by. Thanks my friend.

Answer:
Gary- Good to hear from you again. Finding a .303 Browning for a Spitfire will be difficult to impossible. However, the .30-06 versions were basically identical except for the bore and chamber in the barrel, and the front of the bolt where the rimmed .303 case required a wider opening than the .30-06. Externally they appear visually identical. Live guns with BATF approved paperwork, etc are out there in .30-06, and perhaps a few in .303, but probably would run $10-20K, and have all the hassles associated with "machine gun" as well as security and safety concerns.

My understanding is that the M2 used in aircraft was similar to the ground mounted M1919 air cooled except the aircraft guns had lighter barrels (if you look closely inside the barrel jacket with all the holes) and wing guns did not have any grips like the ground guns.

Several people make replica non-firearm copies of the .30 Brownings and some do both the aircraft M2 and ground M1919 variations. Here are links to a couple I have found. Not cheap, but good looking, and no safety or security hassles.

http://www.gunsofliberty.com/gol_anm2_fixed.htm priced at $795 for M2 fixed mount

https://shop.ironcreationsllc.com/product.sc?productId=516&categoryId=112

Hope that helps. John Spangler

15850 - 7.65 Liliput Pistol
7/14/2018
Tim, Tahuya, Wa, USA

Maker: MENZ ?, Model: Liliput Mod. II ?, Caliber: 7.65, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: NA

Markings:
''Made in Belgium'', Zw 129, crown over N, gold wreath around 7.65 on grip, TROLIT on back of wreath.

Question:
Good morning, Looking for some info on this gun. I have done some research and this is what I have come up with so far. It appears to be a Menz Liliput mod. II. There are no serial numbers, manufacturer name, or model numbers. It does have the following marks: ''Made in Belgium'' on the slide, Crown over N mark on the slide and frame, ''Zw 129'' stamped on the front of the frame under the trigger guard, ''s'' to the rear of the safety. The grips have the 7.65 surrounded by a gold laurel wreath. The backside of the grip is marked ''TROLIT''. It also came with a leather holster that has a mark under the flap ''WA2'' The center lines of the W are over lapped. This is the only pic I have right now, but I can get more if needed. Thanks, Tim

Answer:
Tim, Waffenfabrik August Menz of Suhl started out manufacturing the 7.65 mm Beholla pistol for the German army circa 1916 - 1918. Production continued after the war under the trade - name 'Menta'. A scaled-down 6.35 mm version dates from the immediate post - 1920 era. From these beginnings, Menz went on to produce guns of his own design until the late 1930s.

Menz first marketed the Liliput model in 1920, the first version was a tiny blowback automatic chambered in 4.25mm. The 4.25mm cartridge had originated with the Erika (q.v.), made by Pfannl prior to 1914, Menz adopted it to keep his pistol as small as possible. Although it made use of an unconventional cartridge, the Liliput appears to have had a lengthy production life with specimens stamped `MODELL 1927` commonly encountered.

In 1925 Menz started offering the Liliput in 6.35 mm and 7.65 mm chamberings. Few 7.65 mm versions of the Liliput were produced as Menz chose to market a similar - but - separate model as the Menz Model II which was an enlarged Liliput. Bijou, Kaba, Kaba Spezial and Okzet are some of the trade names that the Liliput pistol was sold under through various dealers. Hope that this helps, Marc.

15842 - Winchester Mod 70 Carbine Value
7/10/2018
Dale

Maker: Winchester, Model: Model 70, Caliber: 30.06, Barrel Length: Carbine Short Barrel, 22''??, Finish: Blue, SN: 28111

Question:
How much is this rifle worth. I would never sell it, it was handed down to me from my dear grandfather

Answer:
Dale, Winchester Model 70 Carbines were manufactured from 1936 to 1946, they were discontinued shortly after WWII. The manufacture date for your rifle is 1939 so it does fall in the correct serial number range for Winchester Carbines. Carbines manufactured during this period came with a 20 inch barrel and if original, the front sight base is an integral part of the barrel. The value of your carbine will depend on condition and whether any modifications have been made to it. The addition of a recoil pad or the stock being notched for a custom sight, for example, can cut value by half or more. The Blue Book of Gun Values indicates ``add 50%-75% for carbine variations .22 Hornet (watch for fakes with cut off barrels, re chambered "K" models, and examine the front sight carefully), .250-3000 Savage, .257 Roberts, .270 Win., 7mm, or .30-06 (most common)``. Hope this helps. Marc

15820 - EARLY M1873 TRAPDOOR SPRINGFIELD CADET RIFLE?
7/10/2018
Don

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

Question:
After looking at Trapdoor production data it looks like if correct there was only one made in 1874. Is this true and would it be extremely rare one of a kind. It is in very good condition. Barrel is 29 and 5/8" or some say it is 29 and 1/2" with serial number 3404X. My question is this true and what kind of value would it have?

Answer:
Don- The one M1873 cadet rifle made in 1874 is probably serial number 3638 which is the Springfield Armory museum. Serial numbers 31172, 33129 and 33200 are all noted as cadet rifles, but most of the numbers nearby are for carbines, not infantry or cadet rifles. Most of the guns under serial number 50,000 were recalled and scrapped and many of the parts were sold off as scrap, but much of this scrap was later assembled into guns in various configurations.

There are a number of small details in parts which changed over time and would reveal if your gun has all parts for the same date and the right markings to be considered "original." If so, it would be worth a lot more than a mix of various vintage parts assembled later.

There were not many cadet rifles made, but very few collectors have any interest in them so they tend to bring surprisingly low prices, and of course condition is a very big variable.

You might as other folks over at http://trapdoorcollector.com for their thoughts. Hope that helps. John Spangler

15819 - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DATES OF BARRELS AND RECEIVERS
7/7/2018
Shane

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

Question:
I was wondering if you could help me out with a question I have? What how many months apart should an M1 Garand Barrel date and receiver date be apart to be correct? Should the barrel date come after the receiver or before? I have visited your site often and know how knowledgeable you can be. Thanks

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

There is no guaranteed correct answer on this question. Anyone who tells you guns manufacturing (on military guns at least) is "always" or "never" done a certain way is probably wrong. Policies and procedures do not survive unscathed in the real world of an industrial operation, especially in wartime.

There are some trends and patterns, but just about anything is possible in a mass production scenario where different parts are made at different locations within one maker's facility, or when parts are subcontracted. Sometimes a surplus builds up and production is cut back for a while, or several days/months production may be diverted to supply as spares rather than being sent to the assembly lines, resulting in "early dates" appearing longer. Other times equipment or personnel problems or higher priority work results in shortages of parts so assembly may be delayed, or scrounging around in storage bins may turn up needed parts lost in dark corners or buried in storage bins.

Typically, most M1 Garands made at Springfield will have the barrel date 1-3 months earlier than the calculated receiver date. Same month and year would be fine, 1,2 or 3 months earlier no cause for alarm. If a month or two later than expected, then maybe a receiver got delayed for some reason before it was used. Outside of these parameters the chances of it being an original barrel and receiver combination grow ever smaller.

In military arms the mismatch of barrels and receivers comes from the fact that ordnance facilities rebuilt huge numbers of rifles, usually leaving the barrels in place if barrel and receiver were in serviceable condition. If not, the barrels were pulled and rifles went on to be assembled with whatever salvaged barrels were on hand, or with new barrels pulled from spare parts inventory. Springfield (and other makers) filled large orders for quantities of parts for stockpiling in the supply system as spares in addition to those being used for current rifle production.

Once you enter the world of "restored guns" then the barrel and receiver may or may not be an original combination, or the result of whatever Bubba was able to scrounge up before the assembly fun began.

One important exception is for the M1D sniper rifles which were ALL made by reworking existing rifles with new barrels, and this work was spread out among many facilities over a very long time, mostly in small quantities. All M1D barrels should have dates in 1952 with a few from late 1951 or early 1953, and ALL have the drawing number ending in 555. If you find a purported M1D with a barrel drawing number ending in 448 it is a standard barrel that someone modified by adding the scope mount block, probably from one of the parts dealers. Real M1D rifles were assembled on receivers made by any of the four makers, although most are Springfield or Winchester. John Spangler

15841 -
7/7/2018
Canada

Maker: Remington, Model: Model 12, Caliber: .22, Barrel Length: 24, Finish: Don`t Know, SN: NA

Markings:
pump action .22

Question:
It is not in working condition but all the parts are there, I want to know how much is the selling about, and where I could go to sell it.

Answer:
The Remington Model 12 which was later designated the 12A, was manufactured from 1909 to 1936. The model was a popular and production reached around 840,000. The 12A was a hammerless slide action .22 rifle that came with a 22 inch barrel, open sights, tubular magazine and a plain grip walnut stock. Remington also offered the Model 12B which was a gallery model with an octagon barrel chambered in .22 short, the 12C which had a 24 inch octagon barrel and came in grades D,E and F, the 12C NRA target, and the 12CS which was chambered in .22 Remington Special.

I often see Remington Model 12 rifles that are in almost new condition selling at gunshows in the $700 - $750 range. I would expect to see a rusty or non-functioning example being offered for sale at a gunshow in the $200 range. Marc

15840 - Herter`s XK3 Refle
7/3/2018
Palmer, Alaska

Maker: Herter`s, Model: XK3, Caliber: .308, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Don`t Know, SN: 1343

Markings:
It says Yugoslavia - I didn`t see the serial number on the rifle, but I did see 1343 stamped on the inside of the bolt handle. The barrel doesn`t appear to be the normal bluing that I`m used to - the bolt looks like its chrome??

Question:
I would just like to know what something like this is worth? Are they good, accurate rifles - anything special about them? Thank you for your help - it was my dad`s rifle, and was left to me (he passed away when I was 7). I always thought it was cheap, as the barrel was not the normal bluing, and the bold a chrome type material. Thank you, Matthew

Answer:
Rodney- Herters was a very interesting firm, active from about 1960 to 1979. They proclaimed themselves to be an old established maker of the world's best guns, ammo, duck calls, canoes, reloading gear, etc, etc, etc. Most of it was actually pretty good stuff, and very reasonably priced. However their guns never really caught on, and were apparently foreign made variations of established designs.

Herters rifles seem to have been made in England or Yugoslavia, and are reportedly good, reliable guns. Presently, there is not allot of collecting interest in Herters firearms, value for your rifle is about what a comparable J.C. Higgins or Revelation rifle would sell for. I do not know the exact time period for the XK3 rifle, but since they worked for a relatively short period of time, it has to be in that narrow window. Marc

15818 - HOW DO YOU SHRINK WRAP BOXES OF COLLECTOR AMMUNITION?
7/3/2018
William

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

Question:
I received the ammo and all looks good. Thank you for sealing the boxes. If you don't mind me asking, what did you use to seal them?

Answer:
William- Shrink wrap is done with rolls of the plastic type material in a sort of tube shape made specially for shrink wrapping, mostly for the retail trade.

You also need a "impulse sealer" sort of like a paper cutter with electrodes instead of a cutting blade which is used to seal the seams. Then you use a heat gun (hair dryer or paint stripper type) which you blow on the item and the heat causes the plastic to shrink. After about 5 boxes the heat gun gets too hot and will burn holes in plastic so you have to redo that one and wait a while. Plastic comes in roll of 1,000 feet or so, (I have been using same roll for at least 10 years). Sealer is about $95 item and requires replacement of the heat strips periodically at about $15 per set. Not really practical for someone wanting to do a box or two.

You can also buy clear cellophane wrapping at office supply places on a roll like Christmas paper for about $5-10 per roll, and wrap boxes like a gift package and seal with tape and that turns out pretty good without the expense of all the specialized stuff. Hope that helps. John

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