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16408  - Merry Christmas From John And Marc.
12/22/2020


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

Markings:
It`s almost Christmas, 2021 is fast approaching, and for many of us, it couldn`t get here soon enough! John and Marc hope you are spending time with family and friends, laughing, enjoying each other`s company, eating great food and staying helathy. 2020 was challanging year and many of us will be glad to see it go.

Please remember our troops who are still overseas. Let`s not forget their sacrifice as they`re away from their families. If you know someone who is serving, please give them a big thank you and a Merry Christmas.

We would like to thank all of our visitors, customers, old friends and new friends that we have made this year for helping us have a great 2020. We appreciate your support, business, the questions that you send us and your friendship. We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Remember, though, if Santa forgot to bring that special gift, we just might have it! Check all of our catalog pages to see if there is something that maybe you should have asked for... but forgot to. Then let us know and we can do the job when you`re in town, or something festive like that.

May the new year bless you with health, wealth, and happiness,

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 Answer:
Marc Wade and John Spangler



16392  - BOOK BY JESSE HARRISON
12/19/2020
Andrea

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

Question:
Looking for a specific book: ``Collecting the Garand. Collector`s Field Guide to US Military Arms Vol.6.`` Author is Jesse Harrison. Do you have this book?

 Answer:
Andrea- We do not carry, or recommend any of Harrison`s books. At first glance they look useful, and have excellent drawings but the information is extremely unreliable. I initially got several of them, but after reviewing them, and comparing with information from reliable and respected sources based on primary research, I got rid of every one of Harrison`s books. There is some good info in the, but it is mixed with so much speculative or totally wrong nonsense, and no way to tell which is which, that they are useless.

If you want a book on the M1 Garand, those by Scott Duff are excellent, and the massive work by Bruce Canfield, would be much better. True, they may cost a bit more, but money spent on books will nearly always pay off in later purchase of good guns, or avoiding purchase of bad guns. John Spangler



16403  - Shooting A Commemorative
12/19/2020
Tom Rochelle, IL

Maker: Winchester, Model: 94 Canadian Centennial, Caliber: 30-30, Barrel Length: Long Octagon, Finish: Blue, SN: ?

Markings:
factory engraved receiver

Question:
How much will shooting this firearm reduce its value?

 Answer:
Tom - I have never liked commemoratives much, but anyone with one is wise not to fire it and to save the box and original papers. For a commemorative to have any value over a regular model, it must be in 100% new condition, never have been fired, and have it's original box and papers. If you do not have the original box and papers you can deduct $100 to $150 from the value. If a commemorative has been fired or shows any signs of wear, it is just a ''fancy shooter'', worth little more (or maybe even less) than the same model that is not a commemorative. I would advise you to check and carefully clean and oil your commemorative periodically. I know someone who bought a new commemorative and left it for years in its original box without ever looking at it. When the box was opened, he found that the gun had acquired a fine coating of rust. Never cock or dry fire a commemorative. Marc



16402  - Winchester Model 67 First Year Of Manufacture?
12/15/2020
Larry Boston, IN USA

Maker: Winchester, Model: Model 67, Caliber: .22 Rimfire, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
I would like to know the first year the model 67 was manufactured. Thank you for your reply.

 Answer:
Larry, Model 67 Rifles were not serial numbered, approximately 383,000 were manufactured from 1934 to 1963. They were available in .22 LR or .22 WRF (in 1935) calibers and came with the choice of 20, 24 or 27 inch rifled or smooth bore round barrels. Hope this helps. Marc



16378  - CIRCA 1890 MONTGOMERY WARD 36`` 12 GA TEXAS RANGER SHOTGUN
12/15/2020
Scott

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

Question:
Hello, I am looking to buy a 1890 Montgomery Ward / Texas Ranger 12 gauge shotgun 36`` barrel single shot. My grandfather had one and taught me how to shoot it, thank you

 Answer:
Scott- You might find one on GunBroker.com, but more likely at one of the big auction places like Rock Island Auction where one might be part of a lot of 5-10 old shotguns sold as a lot. Very few people are interested in these except as decorative items, and they are mostly unsafe to shoot with modern ammo, so prices tend to be very modest, and sellers are usually eager to get rid of them, so when you find one of those you should be able to get it at a reasonable price, but might have to buy several to get the one you want. John Spangler



16390  - PPK Date Of Manufacture
12/12/2020
Doug Hamilton Ont. Can

Maker: Walther, Model: PPK, Caliber: 7.65, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: 234292K

Markings:
Crown over N on Slide and chamber on right side

Question:
Could you give me a date of manufacture and any relevant info to that date of production. What does the crown over N represent for its production date? P.S. Great site.

 Answer:
Doug, the Walther PPK was manufactured by Waffenfabrik Walther at Zella-Mehlis, Germany from 1930 to 1945. The Crown over N proof mark that you describe is most likely a German commercial proof mark set forth in the National Proof Law of May 19, 1891, which became effective April 1, 1893 . The "N" was the abbreviation for Nitro meaning smokeless powder. The Crown over N proof mark was replaced in 1940 by an Eagle over N proof mark when the National Proof Law of June 7, 1939, became effective on April 1st of that year. The Crown over N proof mark is most commonly found on Commercial, Police and NSDAP Walther PPK pistols produced between 1930 and 1940... Marc



16373  - JOHNSON BYE HANDGUN
12/12/2020
Don Millen Ga

Maker: Johnson Bye Co, Model: Favorite No.1, Caliber: .22, Barrel Length: 212, Finish: Handgun - Blue, SN: NONE

Question:
When was this made how many

 Answer:
Most people have heard of Iver Johnson, or the company by that name made guns from the early 1870s to at least 1993. However, most people have never heard of Martin Bye, of Worcester, Massachusetts. Both men originally worked for the Ethan Allen firearms company, before starting Johnson, Bye & Company in 1871, and in 1883 Bye sold his share to Iver Johnson and his name dropped from public view. However, Bye was an ingenious chap, with a bunch of firearms related patents. The first relating to air guns was with Iver Johnson in 1876, followed by twenty more patents on everything from singles shots to automatic pistols by the end of his career in 1906. He operated independently between his 1883 departure from Iver Johnson and 1900 when he began working for Harrington & Richardson.

Iver Johnson arms and the company and it associates like Martin Bye certainly deserve a lot more scholarship and publication than they have received to date, and more respect in the arms collecting community. About the only thing we can tell you is that it was made between 1871 and 1883. I do not know of any source of production figures for early Iver Johnson or Johnson & Bye guns, but the number is probably both relatively small and larger than the number of collectors eager to buy one. There are some people working on the history of Harrington & Richardson, and perhaps because of Bye`s connection with that company, they may eventually reveal more about this man, and his time with Iver Johnson. Hope that helps. John Spangler



16389  - Rast And Gasser Model 1898
12/8/2020
Ivan

Maker: Raster-Gasser, Model: ?, Caliber: 8mm, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Blue, SN: XX161

Markings:
Dear Sir, I've a 8shot 8mm Raster-Gasser revolver. It can be take in peace's w/o tools. On the right side of the frame is stamped '79R¨and ¨49¨. The serial number is xx161. It's condition is very good ( almost mint...except for the blue finish) Please, could you tell me some more about this gun?? Is it valuable, collectible?? I thank you in advance Ivan P. Souza

 Answer:
Ivan, Leopold Gasser was a revolver manufacturer who operated two factories, producing up to 100,000 revolvers a year in the 1880s and 1890s. Gasser revolvers were adopted by the Austrian Army and were widely distributed throughout Austria-Hungary, and the Balkans. The most common Gasser revolver is the `Montenegrin Gasser'. Gasser patents were used in the `Rast and Gasser' Austrian service revolver of 1898. Leopold Gasser died in 1871, but the company continued operations for many years under the control of Leopold's son Johann. The Rast and Gasser Model 1898 Austrian Service revolver is an 8mm, with an eight-shot cylinder, it has a solid-frame and is gate loaded, with rod ejection. The loading gate, on the right side, disconnects the hammer from the trigger, and securely locks the hammer when the gate is opened for loading. The 'Rast and Gasser' looks clunky and angular but they were extremely well made pistols... Marc



16372  - MYSTERY 4.5mm SUBCALIBER OR TEST BARREL?
12/8/2020
Edward IOWA

Maker: ?, Model: ?, Caliber: 4.5mm, Barrel Length: 8.660 Inch, Finish: Other - Other, SN: 062

Markings:
The only marking is 062

Question:
I dont know if you can help me. I am a gun collector. Most of my collection is handguns and some rifles. Back in 1984 my father passed away. He had no gun but he had some machinery and lots of stuff. Since the outbreak of the China bug Ive been fixing up old motors and stuff to sell at a local flea market whenever that happens.. In all this stuff there was a piece of steel tubing. I thought it was just a shaft or something. Upon close examination I discovered that it was a gun barrel.. I will describe it. The length is 8.660 inches. The bore caliber is .177inch 4.5 mm The breach face is .664 inch 16.88 mm anti is cut with an extractor slot .183 inch 4.66 mm wide. The chamber is .180 inch 4.59 mm dia and .266 inch deep. From the looks of this barrel I would say this fits into something because most of the outside was tool marks except for two areas that machined and polished to .453 inch11.51 mm. Those areas are just behind the breach and about half way to the muzzle. The bore is very good with 12 lands and groves. with 1 turn in 8 14 inch 210 mm There is the number 062 stamped on the breach opposite the extractor cut. I think this is some kind of a sub caliber conversion barrel. Ive spent many hours over the past few weeks trying to find out any info. No luck. I can probably take a picture it if that would help. Ed in Iowa

 Answer:
Edward- Thanks for providing this additional photo, Your description is excellent and detailed and maybe someone will recognize it from the photo.

I would expect a subcaliber device to be chambered for .22 rimfire, not something in .177 caliber. The thickness of the collar at the breech end prevents it from being slipped into a barrel (along the lines of the .410er insert for firing .410 shells from a 12 GA shotgun) as it would prevent the breech from being closed.

The two finely machined bearing surfaces are similar to those found on ``Mann Accuracy Barrels`` which were attached to an action of some sort, and rested in ``V`` blocks on a firmly anchored test bed. These were used for test firing of ammunition for accuracy, by removing possible variation in sighting and holding associated with humans holding, aiming and firing a gun.

I recommend you do a chamber casting to see if the chamber dimensions match up with any of the .17 caliber cartridges (both rimfire and centerfire) which have become popular in recent years. It certainly is different, neat, and interesting, but I would not use the word valuable to describe it as it is more likely a test tool rather than a ``gun`` and collectors or such items seem to be notably absent.

As always, our free advice comes with a full money back guarantee. If you ever get a positive ID, please let us know. Hope that helps. John Spangler



16388  - Another Happy Mod 1200 Owner
12/5/2020
drew tucson az. USA

Maker: Winchester, Model: 1200, Caliber: 12 Guage, Barrel Length: 27¨, Finish: Blue, SN: 377804

Markings:
Smooth diamond pattern bolt carrier, ¨p¨ over ¨w¨ stamp on left side ,barrel and receiver.

Question:
Empty cartridge remains loosely inside barrel and will not eject by the extractor unless pump is held, keeping action fully shut. I have the same model in a 20 gauge and have not seen this before, they both operate identical, have you seen this before? If so how may it be corrected?

 Answer:
Drew - We are not shotgun experts at Antique and Collectable Firearms and Militaria Headquarters, in fact we try to stay away from shotguns (other than collectable military riot and trench guns)as much as possible. I can tell you that I have run into this particular problem with Winchester model 1200s before. Several years ago a friend wrote to Winchester complaining that the action of his Model 1200 would come open on it's own when he was firing magnum loads. Winchester's response was that the action opening on it's own is a good thing which would help facilitate faster cycling. My advice, provided as usual with a full money back guarantee is, sell the 1200 and get a Remington or a Mossberg. Marc



16391  - Springfield 1902
12/5/2020
James Greenwood MS

Maker: Springfield, Model: 1903, Caliber: 30-06, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Shotgun (Military) - Don`t Know, SN: .4754

Markings:
On Barrel near front sight - 8A 12 41 stock has been cut off nice rifle except for stock

Question:
What is and why cant I find any info on the Serial Number.

 Answer:
James- It sounds like your rifle is a standard M1903 Springfield, probably made around 1904 as a rod bayonet model, then updated to the knife bayonet after 1905, and to .30-06 about the same time. The barrel marks S A 12-41 indicates it was updated again, probably early in WW2 with a barrel made at Springfield Armory in December 1941.

There is no documented usage history for your rifle, but it was undoubtedly issued to some unit prior to WW1, and probably again in WW2.

Depending on if any alterations were made other than cutting off the stock, it may be possible to find the parts and restore it to its last (WW2 era) military configuration. Hope that helps. John Spangler



16377  - BRITISH .MARTINI SOCKET BAYONET ID AND CARE
12/1/2020
Brett

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

Question:
I have been given a family bayonet and I am looking to know more about it. Can you point me toward some resources to identify the stampings on my .577 Enfield bayonet? Looking around on the web and your sight I cannot find a resource showing the various markings only site that have bayonets with markings. I am also looking for info on the best method for polishing on the metal and care of the scabbard. I care more about the condition than the value but I would like to keep it as original as possible.

 Answer:
Brett- Your photos help and at first glance, it look like the Pattern 1853 bayonet for the .577 Enfield rifle musket, but I think if you measure the blade it will be about 21-22`` long, not the 18`` on the P1853 bayonets. That would make it the Pattern 1876 for the Martini Henry in .577-450 caliber.

Some of these were later modified by sleeving the socket to fit a smaller barrel such as the .303 caliber Martini-Metford or Martini Enfield conversions. It hink yours have been sleeved.

The markings on the blade are:

-- WD and broad arrow- British property of the War Department.

-- crown/57/E (with the middle part of the E missing)- Inspector marking for Inspector 57 working at Enfield.

-- /89 a ``stores date`` when it was at an arsenal for repair, cleaning, placing in storage, etc.

-- 908 (crossed out)- A unit marking for inventory or something, but no longer applicable and crossed out by the arsenal.

As far as care:

For they bayonet- you can wipe it down with a light coat of WD-40 or gun oil. Or, you can apply a coat of paste wax such as Renaissance brand- a high quality product used by many museum but expensive; or Minwax or other furniture paste wax, but NOT a liquid wax. These will form a barrier between the steel and the moisture in the atmosphere or on fingers for light handling, and prevent rusting.

For the leather, the best thing is to do nothing, or at most apply a coat of paste wax as above and polish it with a clean rag. DO NOT USE ANY SORT OF LIQUID and especially NOT neatsfoot oil. Paste wax on the brass parts of the scabbard is a good idea. John Spangler



16387  - Remington Model 511 Scoremaster Informaiton
12/1/2020
Tom, Los Alamitos, CA US

Maker: Remington, Model: 511, Caliber: .22, Barrel Length: About 27", Finish: Blue, SN: NONE

Markings:
Scoremaster Model 511, Remington Arms Ilion NY, pat 1908035, 1913840, 2356257. Under breech are letters PSS and what looks like an arrowhead, possibly a Q. .22 Long rifle, long, or short. I've had it for over 50 years and bought it used. So I guess its about 60 - 70 years old.

Question:
I'm curious about its history; approx. year of mfr., value, etc.

 Answer:
Tom, the Remington 511 line was first available to the public in April 1939. When first introduced there were three different 511 types, the 511A, the 511P and the 511SB.

The Model 511A had a detachable box-magazine which held six rounds of .22 Short, Long, or Long Rifle ammunition, a ten-shot magazine was an optional accessory. Sights were a ramp white metal bead blade-type front, and a sporting type step-adjustable rear. 511A weight was five pounds, twelve ounces. 511A barrels were marked: MODEL 511. When first introduced the 511A sold for $11.50.

The Model 511P is the same as the 511A except that it had a Partridge-type front sight mounted on a non-glare ramp and a Remington Point Crometer rear peep sight, adjustable for windage and elevation, with two interchangeable discs. 511P barrels were initially marked MODEL 511-P, later rifles were marked MODEL 511P. When first introduced the 511P sold for $11.95.

The Model 511SB - was the same as the Model 511A except it was a smoothbore chambered for .22 Long Rifle shot cartridges only. The 511SB had a white metal bead shotgun-style front sight and no rear sight. 511SB barrels were marked MODEL 511 and 22 CAL. SMOOTH BORE. When first introduced the 511SB sold for $11.50.

Model 511 production was interrupted during World War II but resumed for the models 511A and 511P after the end of the war in 1945. The Model 511P was discontinued in December 1960, and the Model 511A was discontinued in 1963. Total Model 511 A, P and SB production was 381,267.

As for the year of manufacture, the "PSS" markings that you describe tell me that your 511 was manufactured in June of 47. Remingtons made between 1921 and 1972 have a code located usually on the left side of the barrel near the frame that identifies the year and month of manufacture. The following letters correspond to the months of the year, for example B=January, L= February and so on [ B - L - A - C - K - P - O - W - D - E - R - X ]. The following letters correspond to the year of manufacture starting in 1921 and ending in 1972. [ M - N - P - R - S - T - U - W - X - Y - Z - A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - J - K - L - MM - NN - PP - RR - SS - TT - UU - WW - XX - YY - ZZ - A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - J - K -L - M - N - P - R - S - T - U - W ]. As you can see there are some problems with this dating system. Marc