Identifications and Values. - Free Online Library (2024)

1917 U.S. Enfield

Q: I recently purchased a U.S. Model 1917 Eddystone .30-06 rifle, serial number 464XXX. It has various markings on it, including an "E" on the bolt release, what appears to be an eagle head with "B1" under it on the barrel, a "78" and several others. It also has ladder sights graduated to 16. It's in fairly good condition. I was wondering what info you can give me on this model.

- J.T., via e-mail

A: Before the U.S. entered WWI, Remington Arms-Union Metallic Cartridge Co. of llion, New York; Remington Arms at Eddystone, DE; and Winchester contracted to produce a large number of Mauser-style rifles designed by the Brits in the early 1900s. They were chambered in .303. When Uncle Sam entered the conflict, the supply of 1903 Springfields was low, so the government decided to produce, 30-06 versions of these "P-14 Enfields," as they were called. The Yankee rifle was designated "Model of 1917." Actually, more doughboys carried 1917s than 1903s in the Great War. They were excellent arms and highly regarded by the troops. After the war, Remington marketed sporting versions of the 1917 as the Model 30. Calibers included .257 Roberts, 7x57 Mauser, .25 Remington, .30 Remington, .30-06, .32 Remington and .35 Remington. Alvin York used a Model 1917 (and a 1911 Government Model) in WWI to capture 132 German prisoners and win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Prescott "Navy" Revolver

Q: I inherited an E.A. Prescott revolver from my grandfather some 50 years ago. It appears to be a .38 rimfire and has an octagon barrel stamped "E.A. PRESCOTT. WORCHESTER. MASS.PAT * D. OCT. 2 1860." It has a brass front sight and triggerguard. The rest is iron. The serial number is 8XX. What information can you give me on it, including the approximate value? It's in 70 percent condition with some pitting but little rust.

- R.O., via e-mail

A: You have a fairly rare item. Prescott made a number of different types of revolvers in the 1860s, the most common of which is the company's line of pocket models. As well, Prescott produced a couple of larger guns, a .38 Navy and .44 Army. While these were never officially adopted by Union forces, it's possible that some could have been purchased privately by soldiers.

In any event, as the gun was basically an infringement on Smith & Wesson's Rollin White patent involving a bored-through cylinder, production was stopped after a few hundred were made. The Navy came in brass - and iron-frame variations, with the latter being the most scarce, Value on your gun, in the condition you describe, is in the $1,500 range.

Remington Model 600

Q: I recently found a used Remington Model 600 chambered in .350 Remington Magnum at a gun show. In all the photos I've seen, these came with a laminated stock and recoil pads. Mine has a plain walnut stock with a thin buttplate. I've also heard that these rifles had gold-colored triggers. Mine doesn't. Has my rifle been modified?

- R.S., via e-mail

A: Remington 600s (yours is a 600 Magnum) were offered with plain walnut stocks as well as the more familiar laminated version. The handy little 600 has gathered quite a following during the years. I admit, though, that without the recoil pad, in .350 Rem. Mag., it's going to be quite a stomper. Still, I wouldn't modify it, as it is achieving the status of a collectible now that Remington has reincarnated it in the Model 673, also chambered to .350 Rem. Mag. (See "Carbine With Crunch," January 2003). Other calibers included .222, .223, .243, 6mm Remington, .308, .35 Remington and 6.5mm Rem. Mag. A 600 in .223 is the rarest.

"Protector" Auto

Q: I have a question concerning a gun given to me by my father. It's a .25 autopistol. The only markings are "PROTECTOR" and "SPAIN." I looked on the grip of the gun where the magazine enters, and there is the number 9XX. I don't know if that is the model or the serial number. I was wondering if you could tell me who made the gun and how old it is.

-D.H., via e-mail

A: Quite a few guns called "Protector" have been manufactured, but as yours is a.25 auto marked "SPAIN"; that narrows it down to a product manufactured between the wars by Echavey Arizmendi in Eibar. This firm made a number of different autopistols. Quality was OK, though they have virtually no collector value.

Rast & Gasser Revolver

Q: My brother has a gun that looks like a service revolver of some kind. It's made by Rast & Wien. The serial number on the barrel is ML-120XXX and ML-95XXX on the cylinder. I don't know what caliber it is, but it holds eight rounds. It's built like a single-action revolver, but it's double action. I would like to know what it is and how much it might be worth.

- B.C., Empire, AL

A: Your brother has a Model 1898 Rast & Gasser revolver. These were used by the Austrian Army, primarily in World War I, but they saw some use before that in such affrays as the Boxer Rebellion and continued in service for some time after WWI. Caliber was 8mm Gasser. While quality was fine and the guns reliable, the round was a bit weak and the grip angle very awkward. Value on a Model 1898 Rast & Gasser in 75 percent shape is between $175 and $225.

Swiss "Cavalry" Carbine

Q: In 1955 I imported a Swiss Cavalry Carbine in 7.5mm caliber. It has a six-round detachable magazine, full-length stock, no bayonet lug and a straight-pull action, It does not have a ring on the rear of the bolt like most Schmidt-Rubins. It has never been fired, The only markings other than a serial number are on the receiver and involve some crests, one with a cross and "V" and the other with a cross and "S," and a cross by itself. As well, there is a "3" stamped on the rear of the stock. I received the rifle with a sealed packet of 10 clips of ammunition, dated July 29, 1925. I would like to know the manufacturer of the arm and its approximate value.

- F.B.F., Bay City, MI

A: You have a Model 1893 Swiss Cavalry Carbine. Actually, it's not a Schmidt-Rubin design, but a straight-pull designed by Ferdinand Mannlicher and based on his Austrian M1889 system. These guns were manufactured at SIG Neuhausen and Waffenfabrik Bern. The cross-"V" mark is a Swiss military acceptance stamp and the cross-"S" indicates that the gun was made by SIG. Apparently, these carbines were not particularly popular and experienced-by Swiss standards-a relatively short service life.

I've never had the chance to really go over one of these guns personally, so I'm not sure whether it's safe to fire with the ammunition that came along with it. To be safe, don't do it. A number of these guns were brought into the U.S. many years ago, so they do turn up from time to time. I'd say one in minty condition is worth in the $500 to $750 range.

Advantage Arms Derringer

Q: I recently purchased a four-shot .22 Magnum derringer, Model 422, made by Advantage Arms. Everything I read about it says it's made of aluminum, but this one is all steel. Can you shed some light on this?

- H.W.S., Butte, MT

A: I used to have an Advantage Arms derringer with a steel frame, so it's obvious that these were not unusual. Actually, the gun was modeled after the old Mossberg "Brownie," which was made between 1920 and 1932. The Model 422 came in .22 LR and .22 Magnum calibers, in blue or nickel. Production was in 1986-87.

Otis Smith Revolver

Q: I have a Smith's seven-shot .22-caliber revolver. The hammer, trigger and cylinder remover are gold-plated, the grips are ivory, and the rest is engraved and nickel-plated (I think). It's in excellent condition and is shootable. It's marked "Smith's Patent, April 15, 1873, No. 22" on the top strap. Is the gun worth anything as a collector's piece?

- B.S., Ooltewah, TN

A: Otis Smith of Rockfall, Connecticut, made scads of little revolvers in the later part of the 19th century. Calibers ranged from .22 to .41 RF, and most models were only identified by numbers, such as yours. While they generally don't bring much money, the fact that yours is engraved and plated with ivory grips adds interest and value. A plain No. 22 in excellent shape would only be valued at about $175, but I would imagine yours should be worth somewhere in the $600 to $800 range.

Colt Lightning Revolver

Q: I've inherited a Colt .38-caliber, double-action revolver that belonged to a relative who was employed by Wells Fargo, Railway Express and, finally, REA Express. It's reported to have been carried by messengers and couriers from 1918 to 1971. It has the original hard rubber grips and the patent dates, "Sept. 19, 1871, Sept. 5, 1874 and Jan. 19, 1875." It appears to be case-hardened and has no bluing or rust. The cylinder-stop notches are in the rear of the cylinder. It has a loading gate but no ejector. I'm guessing from looking in the Blue Book of Gun Values that it's a New Line Revolver. Good guess, or not?

- J.H., Greenbank, WA

A: You have a Colt Model 1877 Lightning revolver. These guns were made form 1877 to 1909 in .38 Colt and .41 Colt (the latter nicknamed "Thunderer"). While not particularly robust, they were turned out in considerable numbers and enjoyed pretty good popularity. As your gun has no ejector housing, I would assume it's one of the shorter-barreled variants. Barrel lengths ran from 2 1/2 inches to 6 inches. All barrels below 4 1/2 inches had no ejector or ejector housing. While your family story is interesting, unless there is some pretty good paperwork to go along with it, it doesn't really add to the value of the gun, unfortunately. It's interesting that someone would have been carrying one of these guns as late as 1971, as Lightnings were pretty much obsolete before WWI.

Stevens 35

Q: I inherited what j believe to be a Stevens Model 35 offhand target pistol. It has an-8-inch barrel on a break-open action, an external hammer and a plowshare-shaped grip. The walnut grips do not extend all the way to the base of the grip, as there is a solid grip cap for the bottom three-quarters of an inch: The barrel is octagonal within the frame, and round forward of that. The frame is steel and has turned a plum color over time. The two-line marking visible on the left rear of the barrel is "J STEVENS ARMS COMPANY/CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS USA." With the action open, on the lower left part of the barrel the serial number 22XXX is visible. This serial number is also on the left side of the frame under the grips. Can you positively identify what model it is and when it was made? Do you know of anyplace where I can get the correct sights?

- J.K., via e-mail

A: The Stevens 35 Target Single Shot Pistol was made from 1907 to 1939 in .22 Long Rifle and .25 Rimfire calibers; barrel lengths ranged from 6 to 12 1/4 inches. These popular pistols were manufactured in pretty good numbers. As an aside, there was also a shotgun version in .410. Value on a Model 35 in average condition is around $250 to $300. My suggestion for the sight would be Gun Parts Corp (gunparts.com). If you have no luck there, check gun shows from time to time. Finding these components is going to be pretty much a catch-as-catch-can proposition.

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