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16543 - Wartime Duralumin PPK
10/26/2021
Gary

Maker: Walther, Model: PPK, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: 3808XX K

Markings:
Duralumin frame & K sufix

Question:
I have PPK serial number 3808XX K. and would greatly appreciate any help you could give me in identifying exactly what it is and to whom it was issued if possible.

Answer:
Gary, your PPK is a German wartime production pistol and my references indicate that it was manufactured in 1942. Approximately 150,000 PPK pistols were procured for the German Military, Police, and NSDAP between the 1935 and April, 1945. The first PPK pistols manufactured shared the same serial number range with PP pistols. Soon after production reached one million, a new serial number series was initiated, which began with 100000. Thereafter, blocks of numbers allocated to PPK production were followed by the letter K as yours is.

I do not know of any records that would tell us who your pistol was issued to but an examination of the markings may help to identify if this a commercial, military or police pistol. For example an he eagle over `N` marking is a German commercial test proof that was set forth in the German National Proof Law of 7 June 1939, which became effective 1 April 1940. `N` was the abbreviation for Nitro, meaning smokeless Powder. An eagle/C marking is a German WWII vintage police acceptance stamp, these were located on the left side of the frame to the rear of the trigger, this marking would indicate that the pistol was issued to the police. Hope this helps, Marc

16542 - Steven .22 Little Scout Rifle
10/23/2021
Norm njohns@iavbbs.com

Maker: Stevens, Model: Little Scout/Little Steve, Caliber: 22 Rin Filre, Barrel Length: 14 1/2, Finish: Blue, SN: N/A

Markings:
Stamped J.Stevens & Arms Co. Chicopee Falls, Mass U.S.A. Little Scout 22 Long Rifle Pat. July 2-07Proff Mark on barrel & receiver of what appears to be the letter I within a circle.

Question:
In the past I wrote to you about an ¨E.L. Clunder¨ Boys Rifle. I am currently considering purchasing 1 or both of these Stevens 22s.One is marked ¨Little Scout¨ which has a normal cast iron receiver. The second is marked ¨Little Steve¨ but it's receiver appears to be of formed heavy plate steel. Can you provide me with any information about these 2 Stevens 22 rifles? What price range would you suggest I consider? Thank You, Norm

Answer:
Norman- The Stevens "Little Scout" was made from 1910-1930 according to one source, and 1911-1941 according to another. In NRA antique very good (see link for descriptions) it would be worth about $125. Collectors would have little or no interest in one that was reblued. But, if you want to shoot it, and will feel better with it reblued, no one will stop you (unless Hillary and Janet take it away from you....) Rebluing will cut the value about in half. The one marked "Little Stevey" is not a Stevens product, and is not listed in Jim Perkins "American Boys' Rifles 1890-1945". My first gun was a Stevens Little Scout. I later used it to learn to sand down stocks and remove finish and apply cold blue. Ah, confessions of a misspent youth... John Spangler

16541 - Maastricht- Dutch Beaumont Rifle
10/16/2021
Chris

Maker: Unknown, Maybe Mauser, Model: Unknown, Caliber: Muzzle Measures About 7/16¨, Barrel Length: 32¨, Finish: Not Blued, Somewhat Bright Finish, SN: 4XXX

Markings:
Stock has a stamping on side ¨MAASTRICHT¨ and ¨1877¨ with a big ¨W¨ on it. Near breach on barrel (or receiver?)it is stamped with what appears to be ¨B STEVENS¨ (take that with a grain of salt - it is only a guess!) with what must be MAASTRICHT below again. The stamping is very light and only the tops of the letters are visible. Virtually every part of the gun is also stamped ¨K425¨. There are many proof marks all over. I don't know if this is a Mauser but it sure looks like the pictures I see on the Web.

Question:
Can you help me identify this gun and determine its caliber, whether it is shootable and its value? Thanks in advance, you can use my question ¨publicly¨ but I would also appreciate an email response if possible. Thanks again, Chris Whitney

Answer:
Chris- Your rifle is a "Beaumont" bolt action rifle made as a single shot designated the Model 1871. Stevens was the maker, located in Maastricht. These were .433 caliber, using a rimmed, bottle-necked centerfire cartridge, similar to the 11mm Mauser or .43 Spanish, but I don't think interchangeable with either of them. Most of the Model 1871 rifles were later converted to Model 1871/88 by addition of a magazine developed by Vitali, and are usually called "Beaumont-Vitali" rifles. Very old and historic, they draw little collector interest unless in exceptionally fine condition. I was glad to sell a decent one a few years ago for about $80.00 but think they would go for more now. The unmodified single shot versions seem to be less common and probably would bring more. From a distance they look a little like Mausers because both are bolt actions, but the design is totally different. A few people have found the primitive early bolt action rifles an interesting collecting field, with a decent variety of items at bargain prices compared to what many more modern pieces are bringing. Hang it on the wall and enjoy it... John Spangler

16540 - H&R Sportsman
10/12/2021
richard shaggy@awwwsome.com

Maker: Harrington & Richardson, Model: Sportsman, Caliber: .22 Long Rifle, Barrel Length: 6¨, Finish: Blue With Dead Black Top Rib And Sights, SN: S2XXX

Markings:
HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS CO. WORCHESTER, MASS. U.S.A. (ON BARREL TOP) H&R SPORTSMAN SINGLE ACTION (ON BARREL LEFT)22 LONG RIFLE CTG. (ON BARREL RIGHT)PAT. NO. 1904730 (ON CYLINDER) S2XXX (ON STOCK {METAL PART, NOT WOOD})

Question:
I recently got a 9 shot H&R Sportsman .22 pistol from my dad. I've got the box it originally came in, and what appears to be a sales advertising flyer. While the box lid and sales flyer are full of information about the gun, There doesn't seem to be any date on it. I'm trying to find out when it was manufactured, how much it's worth, whether or not spare parts are likely to be found anywhere (the barrel has a slight bulge about 2inches from the front sight, my dad says somebody fired high power ammo once and the bulge was the result!), and any other interesting info you may have. Thanks in advance! -rich

Answer:
Rich, H&R made two models of Sportsman, the 199 and the 999. It sounds like you have the model 999 because of the vent rib that you describe. H&R manufactured the model 999 sportsman from 1950 to 1985. According to my records H&R serial numbers beginning with an S were manufactured in 1956. Unfortunately there is not much collector interest in H&R revolvers, even in perfect condition, your Sportsman would only be worth about $100.00 tp $200. With the bulged barrel your Sportsman is worth considerably less. A good place to look for parts for your Sportsman is Gun Parts Corp. Go to the links page and follow the parts link, the address and telephone number for Gun Parts Corp. is listed there... Marc

16539 - Webley .455 MK1
10/9/2021
sibb54@ix.netcom.com (Jean Scibila)

Maker: Webley, Model: MK1, Caliber: 455, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
I just picked up a Webley Mark I pistol. It has a HUGE broad arrow engraved on the back strap as well as many smaller arrows elsewhere. The cylinder has many markings of a crown over the letters VR over crossed pennants over the number 22.The barrel is marked 45AC.The frame carries the legend "Webley Mark I Patents". The butt is rounded and has a lanyard ring, the grips are black bakalite. The piece is not dated. Can you give me some info on this pistol? Thanks, Len

Answer:
Len- I can't help much on your Webley Mark I. The most common .455 Webley is the No. 1 Mark VI made mainly during WWI, and clearly dated and marked with maker's names. As far as I know these all had square butts. There were "Mark I" Webleys made earlier by Webley mainly for commercial sales. The "Broad Arrow" is an English Government property marking which has been used for centuries. (Didn't Robin Hood get in trouble messing with stuff marked with a broad arrow?) Often a second arrow was marked point-to-point indicated official sale or cancellation of govt. ownership. The crown/VR/pennants markings are normal proof markings. The "45AC" marking is a red flag to me. Although it could be a regimental marking, I suspect that it indicates the gun has been converted to fire .45 ACP ammo instead of .455 Webley ammo. This conversion was quite popular in the 1960s when lots of British surplus was being imported. You have proven I don't know much about Webleys, but you might have better luck checking with the Enfield Collectors (see the link on our link page.) Hope this helps... John Spangler

16534 - Suggestions? Learning Gun Repair
10/5/2021
Micaela

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

Question:
I have been wanting to learn how to fix up and restore rifles. I do not know anything about the process or have anyone to teach me how to do so. I would like to purchase something that would be easy enough to try to restore, and not break the bank... if possible. I have a book on restoring firearms in general but do not know very much about the functionality of them in general. I have been looking into building some sort of little 22 lr or similar. Wondering if you have any suggestions or could point me in the right direction?

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

The best source for learning about fixing and restoring guns is the ``Anvil`` YouTube channel by Mark Novak.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM86hA7E1y3vOJuzdqCXh1Q/featured

As far as getting guns to work on, that must be done locally. In some cases you may be able to practice and gain experience on various parts, not necessarily whole guns. You can practice stock repairs and refinishing on pieces of furniture wood. You can practice filing and finishing metal using all sorts of scrap machinery or other materials. Broken or incomplete guns re often sold cheap at auctions, gun shows, or by gun dealers who do not want to spend the time fixing something with little value. Hope that helps. John

16536 - Marlin 336
10/2/2021
steve Norridgewock

Maker: Marlin, Model: 336 S. C., Caliber: 35, Barrel Length: 20, Finish: Long Gun - Blue, SN: T1326

Markings:
stamped with JM

Question:
i have been trying to find out what the real age is all i found was it says it was made before 1883

Answer:
Steve- Your rifle was made in 1960. Wikipedia has an excellent entry on the Marlin 336, which is the second largest high power sporting rifle production total in the U.S, with 3.5 million made. The John M. Browning designed Winchester Model 1894, is the leader, with over 7.5 million made.

The Model 336 was made by Marlin from 1948 to 2007 when Remington bought out Marlin, but continued production. In 2021 the Marlin operation was purchased by Ruger at the Remington bankruptcy auction, and Ruger made rifles are expected to reach the market before the end of 2021.

Read the full WIkipedi entry at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlin_Model_336, John Spangler

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