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16663  - Remington Model 10 Shotgun
11/26/2022


Maker: Remington, Model: 10, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: U 186464

Question:
I have a Model 10 shotgun with a serial number U 186464. I am trying to determine its age and value.

 Answer:
According to the official Remington factory serial number ledgers, your shotgun was made in May of 1920.

The Model 10 is a problematic design and most have suffered from parts failures over the years and no longer function properly. The same parts break, and there are no replacements available, so they basically become wall hangers at that point. Due to the propensity for breakage, few people shoot them, even if their gun is not broken (yet).

I see Model 10 shotguns at gun shows offered in the range from $100 to maybe $400 but few sales. There are some earlier WW1 vintage military marked guns which will bring higher prices, regardless of condition, but they have to be military marked in a specific serial number range. Hope that helps,. John Spangler



16625  - M1917 Sights
11/19/2022


Maker: ?, Model: M 1917, Caliber: 30-06, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
I have old eyes that have a hard time picking up my M1917 front sights. I would like to get something with a wider blade & maybe shorter. It would also be great to get a smaller aperture, ladder, rear sight. Any options or aftermarket suppliers you know of that can help?

 Answer:
Sorry, we cannot help with that one. Absolutely no commercial options I know of.

Surplus front and rear sights are available, and even P1914 British sights will work find. You could build up the front sight with some epoxy or Bondo and file it to whatever size you like. Likewise, you could fill the peep on the rear sight with epoxy and drill a new hole, or take a piece of beer can (thin aluminum) and drill a tiny aperture and then epoxy that in place over the rear sight aperture.

Good luck! John Spangler



16621  - Charles Lancaster Dbl In The UK
11/12/2022


Maker: Charles Lancaster, Model: Dbl Barrelled Side By Side 12 Bore, Caliber: 12 Bore ( Guage), Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
Hi I inherited a Charles Lancaster Dbl barrelled side by side 12 Bore ( Guage) ( Lead shot only) which is currently in the U K with my brother. I am considering transfering it to the US where I have lived for the last 35 years. I have some pictures and it belonged to my Grandfather so it was possibly made between 1900 and 1939 but that is a guess. Do you have any range of resale value to collecters

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

Sorry, we cannot help with that one. Charles Lancaster made some fantastic guns which bring high prices in top condition. I am sure he also made more modest quality guns which bring more reasonable prices, and frankly we do not know enough about shotguns to comment further on them.

Importing arms into the U.S. is a colossal pain with all sorts of bureaucratic nonsense, paperwork, permits, customs forms, etc involved. The ONLY practical way to do this is to hire a firm that specializes in firearms importing and has the experience and contacts to make it happen. This will probably cost several hundred dollars, so it may be not financially worthwhile for some inexpensive gun with no sentimental value. Yours probably is one that would be justified.

Remember, the UK also has all sorts of restrictive firearms laws, and probably as many hassles involved with permits and actual packing and shipping and fees as on the receiving end.

Here is a link to the U.S. Customs site covering firearms importation. Read it, but don`t waste time trying to understand all the nuances. Next, view the video from Forgotten Weapons which will be a lot more understandable. After that, read one or more of the other links to some reputable import firms.

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-383?language=en_US

https://www.forgottenweapons.com/how-to-import-guns-into-the-us-legally/

https://simpsonltd.com/firearm-imports/

https://griffinhowe.com/import-export

Good luck! John Spangler



16609  - Colt 1917 Missing The Army Markings
11/5/2022
Jonathan Woodbridge VA USA

Maker: Colt, Model: M1917, Caliber: 45 ACP, Barrel Length: 5.5 Inch, Finish: Handgun - Blue, SN: 255507

Markings:
D.A. Revolver U.S. Army

Question:
What is the US Army serial number for the Colt serial number 255507? Can you assist in locating the original service serial number which matches the Colt serial number 255507? I want to have the Army serial number re-stamped on the butt.

 Answer:
Jonathan, thanks for sending the pictures, they help. It looks like the army number has been removed, this is often seen on these revolvers, it is usually done to take away the US property markings.

Although the Army numbers are all in a large block of Colt number, they were not both applied in a correlated sequence, so there is no way to know exactly what Army number was on your pistol. It may be possible to raise traces of the old number using ``crime lab`` techniques polishing the area and applying an acid mixture. Depending on how much metal was removed, there may or may not be a full number.

Note that it is not merely stamping the Army number, but all the markings are gone. It would be nearly impossible to find someone who can hand stamp this much and get it to look anywhere close to correct. A poorly done job is worse than having nothing at all.

There is a 34 page forum discussion on the topic of Colt and Army numbers on M1917 revolvers at:

https://www.coltforum.com/threads/colt-1917-serial-service-numbers.34787/

I am sorry but I am afraid that you are at a dead end as far as I can tell. Marc



16657  - Remington Model 17
11/1/2022
Jim

Maker: Remington, Model: 17, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
Hello. I have acquired a Remington model 17 and have been trying to determine manufacture date. Barrel S/N is 12598 and the receiver S/Nis BO 12598. I have done extensive online research with zero success. The two letter prefix on the receiver doesn`t work against the multiple tables I`ve seen since the first time the ``O`` is used is 1977 and the model 17 was discontinued in the `30s. Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jim.

 Answer:
Jim- Sorry, we cannot help with that one. Something does not compute, and I suspect you may have a Remington marked barrel on another receiver or something. The available pages from the Remington serial number ledger book on the Model 17 run from 35637 on January 19, 1926 through 74020 on October 6, 1933.

I know nothing about the Model 17 other than it was a John M. Browning design, and was built as the Remington Model 17, the Remington 31 and Ithaca 37, and was later the basis for the Mossberg 500 and 590. Try asking on one of the shotgun forums. John Spangler