Questions And Answers Page

If you have a question about firearms and you want it posted on this page click here.

Click here to go to the question and answer monthly index.

Click here to go to the question and answer subject index.

16564 - Winchester M1917
2/26/2022
Jim United States

Maker: Winchester, Model: 1917, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Long Gun - Blue, SN: 305513

Markings:
US model of 1917 Winchester 305513.

Question:
I do not know anything about this rifle. From my search online I do not know what caliber this rifle is. A 303 or 30 06. I dont even know if Winchester made this rifle. I am hoping you can answer some of these questions or point me in the right direction to find it myself. Thank you for your time it is most appreciated.

Answer:
Jim- Glad to help. The markings confirm that (a) this was made by Winchester. The Model 1917 was only made in .30-06 caliber. The NRA`s American Rifleman had a nice article with a history of the M1917 rifle which is available at:

https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/a-look-back-at-the-1917-enfield/

While they were made in .30-06 caliber, which is an excellent hunting cartridge, many were ``sporterized`` by cutting the stock, so your rifle may not look exactly like the ones in the article. Some were extensively modified with new stocks, telescopic sights, etc and are almost unrecognizable. A few have been converted to other calibers with either new barrels, or rechambering the original barrel, usually marked on the barrel. But, if you are planning on shooting it, unless is has been sporterized, I would assume it is still in .30-06.

Value varies greatly, with the most interest in rifles that have not been modified. Rifles that have been ``sporterized`` have much lower values, either as cheap ``truck guns`` or possibly as a source of parts. If you want to sell, please send some photos to us, we would consider making an offer if we can use it.

16567 - Spanish Revolver
2/19/2022
roonglass351@gmail.com

Maker: Spanish Revolver, Model: Unknown, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
I have a eustaquio olariaga libar pistol made before 1923 what it worth

Answer:
It sounds like you have one of the Spanish Smith and Wesson copies which were imported into the United States in the first half of the 20th century. There were several companies in Spain manufacturing this type of revolver during that time. Information about individual makers is often hard to find but Spanish Smith and Wesson copies have a reputation in general for making use of low quality, steel which may not be strong enough to handle modern day high- pressure loads. My advise would be to retire this weapon and not fire it. There is little or no collectors interest in the Spanish S&W copies, I often see revolvers in perfect condition being offered in the $150.00 range. Marc

16562 - Juan Esperanza Y Pedro Unceta-Guerrica
2/12/2022
Sylvia-

Maker: Juan Esperanza Y Pedro Unceta-Guerrica, Model: ?, Caliber: 7.65 EU, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: ?

Question:
It was handed down from a family member & packed away. It was cleaned by a Gun shop 2 years ago, but we have never fired it. They say that you can not get bullets for it anymore & we would like to sell it.

Answer:
Sylvia- Thanks for contacting Antique and Collectable Firearms and Militaria Headquarters. I would defer to the comments of a gunsmith who has actually examined the gun. But, while they may think that ammunition is no longer available for it, they may not know that ``7,65mm`` on a pistol is USUALLY merely the European designation for what is called the ``.32 Automatic Colt Pistol`` cartridge here in the U.S. They may have found some other reason to discourage you from firing it. The quality and safety of many Spanish made guns vary greatly from very good quality, to barely safe, to ``no way I would ever even think about firing that thing!``. Again, I would defer to the judgement of someone who has examined the gun.

As far as value, there is not much collector or shooter interest in these, so I would expect it to sell for well under $100 retail, and most dealers would not be interested at any price. Hope that helps. John Spangler

16570 - Winchester 94 With Sears Buttbplate
2/5/2022

Maker: Winchester, Model: 94, Caliber: ?, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: ?, SN: 3955173

Question:
Can you please help with any information on a Winchester Model 94 30-30 with Serial # 3955173. It`s receiver color is different with some type of nickel/chrome color, the lower tang looks brass, and the butt plate says Sears on it.

Answer:
Sorry, we cannot help with that one. Based on the serial number it would have been made sometime in the 1970s. They were making a lot of commemoratives then with fancy (or ugly, YMMV) finish combinations. These usually have pretty obvious indications of what they were commemorating. The SEARS marking on the buttplate suggests that it may have been one of the Model 94s sold by Sears Roebuck company, but they stopped selling guns circa 1968-1970. Most of theirs were marked with J.C. Higgins or other ``store brand`` names instead of Winchester. Maybe it is just a rubber recoil pad or similar which was added.

In any case, I doubt if it has special collector value, but it is probably a good shooter, with minimal value, perhaps $300-400 retail. Hope that helps. John Spangler

Return to Collectors Headquarters.