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16631 - M1917 Enfield Inspector Markings
7/12/2025
Gary Temperance MI Monroe county

Maker: Eddystone, Model: Model 1917, Caliber: 30-06, Barrel Length: Original, Finish: Long Gun - Blue, SN: 924399

Markings:
on the bottom of receiver just behind the barrel there is a flat spot and I have several markings The firsts looks to be 6D then an eagle head then some more partial marking can not make the out then under that is a star the upside down 238 the some more partial markings then a 7 right side up Then under that looks to be a P1 the under that a little off too the side is a T-5 then another eagles head The barrel is a win. barrel 2-18 and half way up has a p stamped in it up a little further there are a triangle then a circle around a triangle with a circle it it then a over with a vp stamped in it the looks to be an R

Question:
Need help identifying markings any help is appreciated. I have pictures if that helps

Answer:
Gary- the assortment of markings you describe are typical inspector or subinspector marks applied during the manufacturing process. Most parts, especially critical parts like the barrel and receiver have very specific quality control requirements which are checked during manufacture. These might include marks to identify the type of steel used and maybe the specific lot identification. Additional marks wiuld be added after certain steps to indicate the part passed inspection, so that valuable time and machine wear would not be wasted if a defect was caught early in the process. Additional checks would take place and be marked to show it passed proof test firing, or other steps.

Such marks varied with model, maker, and over time as specifications and inspectors changed during production runs. Therefore most of these marks cannot be identified to a specific individual inspector or process step.

Hope that helps.

John Spangler

16637 - Red 9 Broonhandle
7/1/2025
Cathy Rockville MD

Maker: Mauser, Model: Broomhandle Red 9, Caliber: 7mm, Barrel Length: ?, Finish: Handgun - Blue, SN: 944

Markings:
Serial number is 944 on all parts back of the gun is also marked with a large S with a small N stamped inside the S. Stamped Waffenfabrik Mauser Oberndorf A Neckar. Red 9 is visible and in good condition. I have the pistol wooden holster that converts to the shoulder mount. Also I have the leather holster with mark L. RIGTEN Karlsruhe 1917

Question:
I was hoping you could give me a date for the pistol and an approximate value.

Answer:
Cathy - The Mauser company introduced their Iconic semi-automatic pistol, the Model C96 in 1896 and ended production in 1937 after making over 1 million of them. The pistols were adopted by governments all over the world. The model was even used as a personal weapon by Winston Churchill at the Battle of Omdurman, he used it to shoot his way out of a tight situation. The pistol was sturdy, fired a powerful 30 caliber cartridge, and was often fitted with a wood shoulder stock so it could be used as a short barreled carbine.

During World War I the German Army contracted with Mauser for 150,000 Broomhandles chambered in 9mm to supplement their supply of Luger pistols. These were made to chamber the same 9 mm cartridge as the Luger. To avoid confusion, the number ``9`` was carved into the wooden pistol grips and filled with red paint, thus the name ``Red 9 Broomhandle``.

Red 9 pistols are the most popular of the Broomhandle variations and one of the more difficult types to locate. It looks like Red 9 pistols with stick are selling on Gun Broker in the $3500 range, let me know if you would like to sell. Marc

16572 - Spencer Repeating Rifle Usage
7/1/2025
Karl Anna Ohio

Maker: Spencer, Model: Repating Rifle, Caliber: .52, Barrel Length: 28.38, Finish: Long Gun - Don`t Know, SN: 7025

Markings:
none

Question:
date and place of issuance

Answer:
Karl- The Spencer Model 1860 lever action repeating rifle was widely used in the Civil War. There is no surviving history for your specific rifle, but some with nearby serial numbers were used by various Indiana or Michigan cavalry units in the Civil War in early 1865.

Hope that helps.

Hope that helps.

John Spangler

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