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                                                BILL GOODMAN, P. O. BOX 2002, BOZEMAN, MONTANA 59771

TEL. (406) 587-3131        FAX (406) 219-3415

                                        EMAIL: montanaraven@hotmail.com

Bill Goodman has been a collector of antique/collector firearms for well over 40 years and a full time dealer for over 30 years. Traveling around the country constantly seeking good quality collector arms at REALISTIC PRICES, Bill sells exclusively by mail order. Until recently, he has advertised in every issue of The Gun List (now Gun Digest the Magazine) since it's first small issues in the early 1980s (as well as The Shotgun News before that). All items are photographed. To view them just click the text of the item you want to see. Be sure to scroll down as most items have more than one photo. All guns are sold as collector's items, not shooters. If you wish to shoot an item listed here, it is strongly recommended that you have the item checked out by a competent gunsmith who specializes in antique firearms. All items are sold with the usual three (3) day inspection. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, call to say you are returning the item and you will receive an immediate refund when the item is received back in the same condition it was originally shipped. This list will be constantly updated as new items become available. Use the above phone number to call to check availability and for info on any item you wish to purchase. Prices do not include shipping. All federal/state laws concerning the transfer of firearms are strictly followed. Modern firearms must be shipped to an FFL dealer (or "Curio & Relics" license holders where applicable). Pre-1899 antiques may be shipped to non-FFL holders. All Layaway sales are final. AND PLEASE, MAKE CHECKS TO WILLIAM (OR BILL) GOODMAN AND NOT GOODMANGUNS.

NOTE: THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL THE AFTERNOON OF FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22. PLEASE DO NOT CALL DURING THIS TIME, BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS EMAIL ME. THANKS. BILL GOODMAN

MORE GUNS WERE POSTED ON 2/11/19. WATCH FOR FREQUENT POSTINGS THROUGH FEBRUARY.

NOTES FROM THE FIELD: FINALLY, MY SECOND NOVEL IS OUT! First, I'd like to thank everyone who read my first novel, DESERT SUNDAYS, and kept after me to get the second one done and published! So, after the usual delays and hitches, here it is. This one is called AN OBVIOUS SLAM DUNK and if you like courtroom scenes and a story that not only makes you think, but surprises you...well, this is a page turner I know you'll like. And before anyone asks, yes, the third novel is almost done and I hope to get that one out before too long. All three form a trilogy, but each stands alone, so it doesn't matter which you read first. Both are available on Amazon or Barnes and Noble (Kindle downloads too). If you want to save some money and have a signed copy, I have books here that I can sell cheaper than online at $13 each including shipping. Click here to see both books front and back with a synopsis of each. Don't bother to call to reserve a copy, just toss a check in the mail with shipping instructions. Thanks, Bill Goodman

COLT FIRE ARMS (click text for photo)

1) ONE OF THE BEST U.S. ISSUED ARTILLERY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVERS I’VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME! This example is typical of the mixed number alteration/refinishing done before re-issue with 5 ½” barrel. I have gone over each part of this revolver while researching in the Kopek books on the Single Action and everything appears to check out as it should. I am always cautious about any U.S. marked SAA and this one looks to be a gem. Also, it surfaced here in Montana at a small local auction and not at a gun show. The frame is a mottled gray with some case colors in the most protected areas in front of the cylinder and inside the loading gate. It is clearly stamped with the “R.A.C.” (Renaldo A. Carr) inspector stamp by the serial number of 136XXX. Screws in the frame are excellent. The cylinder shows a clear “P” and “H.N.” inspector stamp with a faint, partial serial number on the side while the rear face of the cylinder has the “O.C.A.” and “K” inspector stamps. The hammer is the correct early style. The back strap is numbered 132XXX and retains nice blue on the upper section behind the hammer and on the butt. The trigger guard has the same matching number as the back strap with a light "K" stamping. The ejector housing shows gray holster wear on the outside rounded edge with the balance showing exc. blue along with fine blue on the ejector housing screw. The barrel shows most of the deep blue with only some very light wear to the muzzle on the left side and some very minor thinning also on the left side. Removing the cylinder pin (which is in particularly excellent condition with nice deep blue overall), reveals a sharp “P” stamp over a weak original “J.T.C.” (John T. Cleveland) inspector stamp. This is because the barrel, as most parts on Artillery Models, were refinished by either Colt or Springfield Arsenal before reissue. The barrel address on top is good and there is sharp, beautiful “feathering” on each side of the front sight- this is important as an outside or later refinish would not have this (d not show up in photo, but the feathering is excellent). The one piece walnut grips fit beautifully, show only very light handling and are stamped “R.A.C.” on the bottom of each panel. The action is tight with four clicks to the hammer and an excellent bore! Just enough wear to show it was used, but about as nice as one could hope to find. (9 photos) $6250.

2) VERY SELDOM ENCOUNTERED AND CONSIDERED EXTREMELY RARE IS THIS FACTORY NICKEL NEW SERVICE REVOLVER IN .38-40 CALIBER WITH 5 ½” BARREL, #308XXX, MADE 1920. Standard finish on these largest of the Colt double action side swing cylinder revolvers was blue. Very few were finished in nickel as a special order. One can go years and not see a nickel New Service come up for sale. This is a fine example that shows most of the nickel intact with only some peeling in the cylinder flutes and on the left side of the barrel. All markings are sharp and clear including the rampant Colt on the left side of the frame. The grips fit perfectly, are numbered on the inside to match the rest of the gun and are in excellent condition with only one small chip at the extreme bottom right panel. Very tight action, bore is a little dark and appears to have some leading in it that ought to brush out to make the overall bore condition fine+ to about excellent. The butt swivel has been removed and should be easy to replace or just leave as is. Front sight has not been altered or filed and the dark areas on the cylinder where the nickel has peeled could easily be polished brighter to blend in with the lightly aged overall nickel. Considering the different calibers and barrel lengths offered in the New Service and the rarity of any revolver in this line having nickel finish, there simply can’t be many .38-40, 5 ½” factory nickel New Services in existence. $1395.

3) NEW SERVICE .45 COLT CALIBER WITH DESIRABLE 7 ½” BARREL, #317XXX, MADE 1923. This is a really nice example that only shows normal, light holster and handling wear- mainly to the grip straps, a little on the bottom of the trigger guard, light wear to the barrel sides, top strap and some edge wear to the cylinder. All very sharp markings including the rampant colt on the left side of the frame, Colt address and patent dates ending in 1905 on the barrel top and “NEW SERVICE .45 COLT” on the left barrel side. Retains nice fire blue on the hammer back and trigger, exc. hard rubber grips, lanyard swivel intact, exc. screws, unaltered front sight, very tight action and perfect bright bore. These biggest of the Colt side-swing revolvers are getting hard to find. This is a fine one. $1295.

4) EXCEEDINGLY RARE NEW NAVY DA 6” BARREL REVOLVER IN .32-20 CALIBER! The New Army (.41 Colt caliber) and New Navy (.38 Colt caliber) revolvers were introduced in 1892 and made until about 1908 when it was replaced by the Army Special revolver. The earlier New Army/Navy revolvers are easily identified by their cylinders that revolve counter-clockwise and have the locking notches on the rear outside of the cylinder. This model is often referred to as a “Left-Wheeler” because of the counter-clockwise action. The .32-20 chambering was introduced at the very end of production in the 246000 serial number range in 1905. This example with # 292XXX is in the very last of the New Navy serial numbers. Again, the most common calibers were .41Colt and .38 Colt with .32-20 made in very limited numbers for only about three years. They are rarely seen now. This one turned up here in Montana and shows fine blue overall with only normal moderate holster/handling wear- back strap, extreme bottom of the trigger guard, thinning on the barrel sides, high edges etc. Fine grips that fit perfectly, fine action, nice fire blue on the trigger sides and hammer back, exc. markings including the last patent date of ’95 on the barrel top and ".32 W.C.F" (.32 Winchester Center Fire) on the left side of the barrel. Unaltered front sight, exc. bore. You could search for years and not find another .32-20 in this model. In fact, I think in 30+ years this is the first of these I’ve offered. $1195.

5) VERY EARLY FIRST TYPE MODEL 1903 POCKET HAMMERLESS .32 ACP, #70XXX, MADE 1908. This is a really fine example of one of Colt’s earliest pocket autos. The First Type only ran from 1903-1908 and is easy to spot as only these early guns have 4” barrels (later ones have 3 ¾” barrels) with barrel bushings like on the Model 1911 .45 autos. This 111 year old Colt still retains fine even blue overall with normal light ageing, some edge wear and thinning/mixing heavily with gray on the grip straps. All markings are sharp and clear and it still retains the earliest style of hard rubber grips that are in excellent, un-chipped condition. Correct early unmarked magazine, sights have not been altered, nice fire blue remains on the safety lever and trigger sides, tight action, bright, exc. bore. Nice example of a very difficult early Colt auto to find. $875.

6) GORGEOUS WOOLY MAMMOTH IVORY GRIPS FOR COLT (AND OTHER) MODEL 1911 FULL SIZE AUTO PISTOLS! With elephant ivory in a "gray area" as for legality, this is the best and most interesting option for exotic grips. I have a set on my main 1911 and they get lots of attention! The Wooly Mammoth became extinct over 10,000 years ago and the great tusks and ivory from these magnificent beasts is getting harder and harder to find. The way to tell the difference between elephant ivory and mammoth ivory is in the grain structure. Elephant ivory has a straight grain pattern and mammoth ivory is "cross hatched" in the grain. Each is unique and displays colors absorbed from the minerals in the soil in which the tusks lay for thousands of years. When these are gone, I don't know if I'll ever be able to offer any again. Perfectly legal to own and transfer. Price is $495 per set. (If you are emailing or calling, please let me know 2nd. and 3rd choices as these probably won't last too long!)

MARLIN (click text for photos).

1) FANCY WALNUT STOCKED 1881 .45-70 OCTAGON RIFLE WITH DOUBLE SET TRIGGERS, #8XXX, MADE 1884. This is a fine rifle that has a surprisingly excellent bore with sharp rifling throughout and only lightly dark. The standard 28” octagon barrel shows good thinning and ageing blue with excellent markings and has the original buckhorn and Rocky Mountain blade sights. The mag tube blue has thinned and aged to mostly brown. The receiver shows some very thin and aged blue but is mostly a brown/gray mixture. Fine butt stock with fiddleback grain throughout and shows only normal light handling with one small chip at the lower tang/receiver juncture- minor. Forend also has matching fiddleback grain and shows similar handling with maybe only a hind of the usual crack ahead of the sliding loading gate (almost all Marlin 1881s crack in this area where the wood is thin). Tight action, correct smooth steel shotgun butt plate, double set triggers function properly and a great bore! This is a fancier than standard big frontier rifle with double set triggers with a very attractive appearance. $3250.

2) MODEL ’94 .38-40 OCTAGON RIFLE, #412XXX, MADE C.1909. A fine example that retains most of the deep factory blue on the barrel and magazine showing only light darkening from age, exc. markings, receiver case colors have faded to a heavily mottled gray with good blue on the bolt and loading gate, original Rocky Mountain blade front sight with original buckhorn rear sight, excellent walnut butt stock and forend with tight wood to metal fit and only a little spot of surface chipping by the side of the butt plate near the toe on the right side- very minor and hardly worth mentioning. Fine+ bore with some very light scattered surface roughness that ought to brush out better, tight action. Very attractive overall appearance, $1595.

3) SCARCE SADDLE RING CARBINE M-'94 IN .32-20 CALIBER, #357XXX, MADE C. 1907. Any Marlin saddle ring carbine in any model is more rare than most collectors realize. Later carbines made without the saddle ring are more common, but even these don’t show up frequently. This carbine has excellent walnut forearm and stock with correct steel carbine butt plate. The receiver is mostly gray/brown with good blue in the more protected areas (carbine receivers were usually blued while rifles had case colored receivers). The barrel and mag tube show good, thinning blue with excellent correct markings and original carbine ladder sight with slide intact. Probably had a tang sight on at one time as the normal tang sight mounting screws are in the factory drilled holes, but the tang sight has been removed. Bore shows a little wear and appears to have some leading in the grooves that should scrub out- when I got this one I ran a couple of patches through the bore and they came out black, but improved the bore greatly. Tight action. Nice, honest appearance and quite hard to find these days. $1495.

A NOTE ABOUT "MODERN MARLINS": Marlin has closed its doors for good in North Haven, Connecticut and been bought out by the folks who own Remington. It looks like some models have been put back into production with the barrels marked "Utica, New York." I did see one of the new ones with the old North Haven barrel address so I assume they had left over barrels they were using up. Quality in wood to metal fit was fair at best and trigger pulls were off the scale heavy! I don't know if any of the octagon barrel "cowboy models" will be produced again, although their online catalogue does show a model 1894 cowboy-type with octagon barrel in .45 Colt.

1) PRE-SAFETY SCARCE 1894 .357 CARBINE, MADE 1982. These are particularly hard to find now, correct 18 ½” barrel, buckhorn rear sight with bead front sight, has a scope base correctly mounted in the factory holes, retains nearly all the blue, excellent wood and has a single quick detachable sling swivel stud in the “bullseye” in the bottom of the stock. If you wanted to, you could remove it and replace the little bullseye inlay that is available through several sources. Tight action and perfect bore. $995.

2) MODEL 1895CB, .45-70 WITH 26" OCTAGON BARREL, MADE 2008. This model has the "Ballard style" rifling that works well with cast or jacketed bullets. These are getting very hard to find now as shooters who own them aren't parting with them! This one is in near new condition with no extra holes or alterations. Aside from some very, very light handling marks on the forend (you have to look carefully to see them), it is basically like new. I have one like this that shoots great! $1195.

ANTIQUE & CLASSIC RIFLES, SHOTGUNS AND PISTOLS (click text for photos)

1) CUSTOMIZED, FACTORY ENGRAVED REMINGTON HEPBURN SINGLE SHOT RIFLE CONVERTED TO MEDIUM HEAVY VARMINT RIFLE IN .219 IMPROVED ZIPPER CALIBER, probably done in the 1930s-1950s when these rifles didn’t seem to hold a lot of value to collectors (lots of converted single shot rifles during this time!). This one is unusual in that the receiver appears to be factory engraved with scrolls and game scenes (rabbit on one side and a fox on the other) with reblued at time of conversion over the engraving, meaning the engraving was on the gun before refinishing/customizing! It was also converted to under-lever breech block opening (like on a Highwall or Sharps), it is fitted with a 24: medium heavy varmint barrel, nicely grained pistol grip stock with cheek piece and accent line, flat bottom varmint forend, sling swivels and topped with a (more modern) 6-24X BSA Platinum scope (here’s the factory info on the scope: “Extremely tight optical and mechanical tolerances give these scopes consistency a nd superb accuracy. Features multi-coated lenses, finger adjustable windage and elevation target turrets, generous eye relief and an adjustable objective that adjusts from 25 yards out to infinity. Completely waterproof, fogproof and shockproof. Comes with a limited lifetime factory warranty.”). Unmarked barrel, I was told by the previous owner that the caliber is .219 Imp. Zipper and that appears correct- it was also the most popular varmint caliber for rifles like this. Tight action, target crowned muzzle, light trigger and all in exc. condition overall. Would cost a fortune to have made today…if you could even find the action (not to mention engraving!) NOTE: three photos- the engraving didn't show up in the first two from light reflection, but you see it in the last photo- same on both sides. $2150.

2) VERY HIGH CONDITION SAVAGE 1899 26” ROUND BARREL SOLID FRAME RIFLE IN DESIRABLE .30-30 CALIBER, #257XXX, MADE 1924. One of the best I’ve encountered in a very long time, this example retains about all the blue on the receiver and barrel with excellent vivid case color on the lever- which still retains most of the lacquer over the colors! Excellent crescent butt stock and forend with one typical hairline crack coming back from the upper left side of the tang for a couple of inches- hard to detect unless you are looking for it. Almost all Savage 1899s have this as the stock is held to the receiver by a cross bolt running under the butt plate and through the stock. As the wood naturally swells and shrinks with changing humidity and temperature, the wood has no place to go… so these fairly meaningless stress cracks form. Savage marked buckhorn rear sight with correct Rocky Mountain blade front sight. Exc. bore and correct brass rotary magazine with strong spring and cartridge counter on the side. Savage 1899s seem to have nearly disappeared from the market and superior examples like this are really hard to locate. This is a great ’99 in desirable .30-30 caliber. (3 photos) $1395.

MODERN AND CUSTOM CLASSIC FIREARMS (click text for photos)

1) WOOLY MAMMOTH IVORY GRIPS FOR 1911 STYLE AUTO PISTOLS (see above in the Colt section)

2) HARRINGTON AND RICHARDSON MODEL 1871 "BUFFALO CLASSIC" .45-70 SINGLE SHOT RIFLE (see below in Shiloh Sharps and Reproduction section)

REMINGTON (click text for photos)

1) OUTSTANDING MODEL 1901 ROLLING BLOCK MUSKET IN 7MM MAUSER CALIBER. One of the best I’ve seen in a long time, this example shows fine case colors on the receiver, excellent blue on the barrel, exc. walnut stock and handguard, correct sling swivels and cleaning rod intact (these often missing), original military style ladder rear sight with slide intact (again, these often missing), excellent deep blue on the hammer and breech block as well as on the two main receiver pins and retainer on the left side, exc. deep barrel blue, tight action, bore needs a good scrub but will be excellent, sharp markings on the tang with last patent date 1901 with no foreign proofs or foreign cartouche stampings in the stock, and all in about as nice as one could hope to find without somehow being brand new! (4 photos) $1050.

2) HEPBURN SINGLE SHOT SPORTING RIFLE, 32-40 CALIBER, #55XX, MADE C.1880s. This one came out of right here in Montana. I’d say this is a good rifle to have and enjoy as it is, or a perfect example just right for a restoration or ready for customizing. The barrel is half octagon that appears to be turned from a full octagon as it lacks the caliber markings on the bottom and has a decorative “ring” ahead of the octagon part that does not look like factory work. The barrel measures 27 ½” so I assume it was cut back and re-crowned from a 28” or 30” standard barrel. Bore condition is fine with good rifling all the way through that looks a little worn, but still nice. The original butt stock has had a crack repaired in the wrist area and has had the checkering removed by light sanding. The forend is also original and numbered to the receiver (as is the barrel) and has a filled sling swivel hole just ahead of the forend screw (I assume it was a swivel hole, yet there is none in the butt stock). Correct butt plate and forend tip. There is a second dovetail just under the buckhorn part of the rear sight about 2” ahead of the receiver that may have been for a long telescope mount to be used with the dovetail holding the small blade front sight. Remington Markings on the barrel and receiver are fine. Tight action, gray brown receiver and mostly gray barrel. Again, a usable rifle as is…but I see lots of potential in this one…perhaps new wood and case coloring on the receiver, rebored and reblued barrel. Lots of potential here! $1795.

3) ALMOST NEVER SEEN MODEL 25R CARBINE PUMP RIFLE IN .25-20, #19XXX, MADE 1923-1936. The standard Model 25 rifle has a 24” barrel with pistol grip and usually a crescent butt plate, while the carbine version has a 17 ¾” barrel (often erroneously stated as having an 18” barrel in some books), straight stock and shotgun butt plate. Almost all the Model 25R carbines I’ve seen over the years have been in very hard used and often abused condition. This example came out of here in Montana, and while it shows use, it is fully functional and unaltered. Carbines came with hook-eye swivels in the butt stock and on the mag. retaining band. These swivels are intact. The butt stock is basically sound but has the usual small chipping of the wood directly behind the rear top of the receiver/stock juncture along with the typical thin crack coming back for a couple of inches. It has the original Remington/UMC marked steel shotgun butt plate. The forend is basically excellent. Overall metal surfaces are a smooth gray with little blue remaining, but excellent markings and original sights. The bore is fine+ and may scrub out exc. with the action being tight. A very difficult Remington to find. $1395.

4) CUSTOM HEPBURN VARMINT RIFLE (see above in custom & classic section above)

RUGER FIREARMS (click text for photos)

1) CLASSIC MODEL 77 IN 7MM REMINGTON MAGNUM CALIBER, MADE 1981, a truly great rifle in every way that is no longer in production, this is the variation without open barrel sights, 24" barrel, comes with a sling and Ruger scope rings, seen very little use as about all the blue is present with barely any edge wear to the trigger guard, original Ruger rubber butt pad and grip cap, sharp checkering, there are some very shallow scratches to the wood on the left side of the receiver which are minor and hardly worth mentioning, classic tang mounted safety, exc. inside, about the most perfect "do anything" caliber available, if you wanted one rifle to hunt anything from antelope to big elk, this one would do it very nicely, $575.

SHILOH SHARPS AND OTHER REPRODUCTIONS. Note: I am a Shiloh Sharps dealer and can order you any Shiloh you want. Check out my other website for Shilohs: www.shiloh-ballard.com (click text for photos)..

1) GORGEOUS FANCY BURL WALNUT ON THIS LIMITED PRODUCTION THOMPSON/CENTER HAWKEN “COUGAR” SPECIAL EDITION .50 CALIBER PERCUSSION HALF STOCK SPORTER. I believe T/C made a small number of these in the mid-1980s for only one year. They are distinctive in that they had upgraded walnut in the stock and “French Gray” steel furniture instead of the usual blued and brass fixtures like butt plate, trigger guard, ramrod thimbles, forend cap etc. This example has superior burl walnut in the stock along with the correct “Cougar” disc inlay. The barrel is blued and has the standard adjustable rear sight and blade front sight. These almost never seem to come up for sale and the wood alone in this one makes it an outstanding looking muzzle loader! Seen very little use and ready to be shot! If you don’t have at least one traditional styled muzzle loading rifle, you need one! These are simply too much fun not to own and shoot. (4 photos) $695.

2) HARRINGTON AND RICHARDSON MODEL 1871 "BUFFALO CLASSIC" .45-70 TOP BREAK SINGLE SHOT RIFLE. This is a discontinued model that is still quite popular. This example has a 32” round barrel fitted with a Williams fully adjustable rear sight matched with a red fiber optic blade front sight for enhanced visibility especially in the hunting field. The checkered forearm and butt stock show some handling marks, but are basically solid and well fitting. There is some nice grain pattern to the stock which is fitted with a case colored butt plate. Stock screws are an attractive brass and the receiver is finished in a dark blue/gray case color pattern. Tight action and excellent bore with target crown. These don't turn up for sale too often. Lots of fun shooting without paying a fortune! $575.

SMITH AND WESSON (click text for photos)

1) PRE-WAR .44 SPECIAL SECOND MODEL HAND EJECTOR REVOLVER, 6 ½” BARREL, SCARCE NICKEL FINISH, MADE 1921. Only 15,510 of this model were made from 1915-1940 and I’m sure that low number reflects limited manufacture and demand during the Great Depression of the 1930s.The classic book STANDARD CATALOG OF SMITH WESSON indicates that nickel finish in this model is worth "a premium." This one retains nearly all the original nickel finish with only some scattered freckling mainly on the edges of the grip straps and on the right side of the frame behind the cylinder (this is typical as this is the area that holster straps rub), still retains some light case color on the hammer and trigger, sharp bright bore with only a spot or two of light surface corrosion that might brush out, tight action, exc. markings, matching numbers, exc. diamond checkered walnut grips, unaltered front sight, lanyard ring intact, these big frame pre-war .44sd are becoming very difficult to locate and this is a particularly fine example in desirable nickel finish. (4 photos) $1495.

2) VERY HARD TO FIND HIGH CONDITION PRE-WAR BIG N-FRAME .38-44 OUTDOORSMAN TARGET REVOLVER, .38 SPECIAL CALIBER, #55XXX, MADE 1938. Only 4,761 of these massive revolvers were made during the Great Depression years of 1931-1941. As sales were slow for all models at S&W during this time, only the finest craftsmen were retained to build, fit and polish the small number of guns turned out each year. Special care was taken with the target models and the action and trigger pull on these exquisite arms must be experienced to be believed! This example has all matching numbers including on the inside of the magna grips. It retains nearly all the gorgeous pre-war high polish blue with only a bit of slight muzzle wear on the left side, a touch of wear on the bottom of the trigger guard and maybe some edge wear on the cylinder. It even retains about all the blue on the front of the cylinder showing it was shot little if at all. It has excellent deep case color remaining on the hammer and trigger with the hammer having patent dates on the back portion. Correct original adjustable sights, excellent markings, grips show light handling wear only, tight action, perfect bore. About as nice as one could hope to find without being new in the box! These rarely come up for sale. One of the finest S&Ws ever made. $2250.

3) TARGET SIGHTED, PRE-WAR .38 SPECIAL HAND EJECTOR M-1905 4^TH CHANGE, #582XXX, MADE DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION YEARS OF THE 1930s. This along with the Colt Officers Model revolvers were the most popular revolvers used in the popular bullseye matches of the day. During the Depression, with sales very low S&W kept only the best craftsmen employed. The fit, finish and hand honed actions of this decade were second to none. Simply put, the quality was unsurpassed and the actions and triggers have to be felt to be believed. This example with standard 6” barrel has a white outline adjustable rear sight paired with a tall “King Patent” front sight with red ball insert. It shows fine blue overall with just some blue wear on the sides of the barrel and on the edges. All markings are sharp and clear. Excellent diamond checkered grips, exc. bright bore and fine action. These would be too cost prohibitive to produce today! $950.

4) IF YOU LIKE HISTORICALLY MARKED REVOLVERS, THIS ONE IS A PRIZE! PRE-MODEL 10, FIVE-SCREW .38 SPECIAL WITH RARE 2” BARREL, ROUND BUTT, NICKEL FINISH WITH THE BACK STRAP MARKED “DETROIT POLICE 10204,” SERIAL NUMBER C208XXX, MADE IN 1950. The right grip panel has been replaced with a black synthetic grip panel with the top extension part made to act as a “belt stop” so the revolver could be worn inside the pants without a holster using the grip to catch over a pants belt! The left grip panel is the normal diamond checkered style with S&W medallion. There is a “N” stamping on the frame under the grips as well as under the barrel by the matching serial number to indicate nickel finish. Matching number on the butt, barrel and cylinder. About all the bright nickel remains with only minor edge wear and there is fine case color on the hammer and trigger. Probably a detective’s revolver. I’m sure there are a lot of great stories in this scarce variation Pre-Model 10! $895

5) EXTREMELY SCARCE ADJUSTABLE SIGHTED, TARGET VERSION M-36 CHIEF SPECIAL, 2” SQUARE BUTT .38 SPECIAL REVOLVER, ONE OF A RUN OF 1,001 OF THESE MADE IN 1966! This and the also rare and identical M-50 target sighted Chief Special are identical. Most of these seem to be the M-36-1 with fewer being the non-dash M-36, like this one. Looks to be unfired and about new as the blue is all intact on the face of the cylinder, and all the rest of the bright blue remains with only a very small spot of brown on the butt and a tiny peel spot on the left side of the frame at the juncture of the top of the recoil shield. The medallion diamond checkered grips are in similar condition. Interestingly, this revolver is in the correct 1966 serial range of these- 391XX1 and the grips are numbered identically except for the last digit which is 391XX2- obviously a factory mix-up during final assembly. One of the most rare and desirable of the Post-War S&Ws that just never seem to come up for sale. (note: what looks like scratches in the top photo is just light reflection off oil) $1295.

6) MODEL 29-3 .44 MAGNUM, 6” NICKEL PLATED REVOLVER, #N893XXX, MADE 1983. Retains about all the factory nickel with only normal very light surface scratching from holster carry and handling- all very minor. Has target hammer and target trigger, white outline rear sight and red insert front sight. Pachmayr “Presentation” rubber grips, tight action and bright exc bore. Nickel guns like this are becoming very scarce and collectable. $695.

7) BIG AND ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT MODEL 329 PD "AIRLIGHT" .44 MAGNUM REVOLVER, 4" barrel with finger groove wood grips. When you want a lot of power, but don't want to lug around a heavy steel sixgun, this is the one to have! In fact, I do have one of these and carry it hiking here in Montana. The only .44 mag. I can carry for miles in the mountains and not even notice it's there! Not very pleasant to shoot, but it's not really made for that. Rather, it's to be carried a lot and fired a little. Adjustable rear sight with high visibility fiber optic front sight, wide checkered target hammer, great single action and double action trigger pull, this one has just a very little carry wear, but is as tight as new. Interesting tip: these fit the Bianchi U.S. flap holsters made for the M-9 Beretta! I often use this holster with mine as it keeps debris out and also keeps me from catching my arm on the hammer or sight when hiking. $795.

U.S. MILITARY AND SPRINGFIELD (click text for photos

1) VERY FINE CONDITION 1879 U.S. SPRINGFIELD .45-70 TRAPDOOR RIFLE, #190XXX WITH CORRECTLY CORRESPONDING, SHARP 1882 STOCK CARTOUCHE. This is the classic Indian Wars standard issue army rifle. It is also a little known fact that many cavalry units were also issued some rifles along with carbines for long range shooting. This example retains nearly all the deep blue on the barrel, barrel bands and trigger guard, as well as the deep blue/black oil quench case color on the lock plate and hammer. The breech block is correctly and clearly marked with the “US Model1873” and the lock plate is also clearly marked with the eagle and “U.S. Springfield.”. The top of the butt plate has the correct “U.S.” marking and there is a normal small rack number stamped in the wood just ahead of this marking. Retains the deep and clear circle “P” cartouche in the wood behind the trigger guard, exc. bright bore, correct swivels, cleaning rod intact, exc. wood with only the most minor of handling marks, correct “R” ( for rifle) marked 1879 rear sight that is mounted with the original “slotless” screws- most have been replaced with later slotted-head screws. This is a really fine example with a great deal of blue. Attractive early example and still the best bargains in the antique arms market! (4 photos) $950.

WINCHESTERS (click text for photo)

BILL GOODMAN, P. O. BOX 2002, BOZEMAN, MONTANA 59771 TEL. (406) 587-3131 FAX (406) 219-3415 montanaraven@hotmail.com

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THESE WERE SUCH GOOD NOTES FROM THE FIELD I'M KEEPING THEM HERE.

CRACKED STOCKS! Seems like an odd thing to write about, but this is something I've not seen in print before. I've observed a lot of rifles with cracks coming straight back toward the butt plate from the upper and lower tangs. Sometimes the cracks are severe enough to warrant repairs (like cross bolts etc. through the wrist or extensive gluing) and other times the stock remains pretty solid as is. So what caused this condition in the first place? I've hunted with all kinds of rifles in all kinds of weather and terrain and never had a gun get damaged like all these I've seen. And I've taken some pretty bad falls too. Once, on ice I couldn't see beneath a couple inches of fresh snow, my feet went out from under me and my rifle landed a number of yards away! Still, no cracks like these. So I've been puzzled by this for some time. Then it hit me, since these guns all seemed like Western big game rifles- large lever actions like 1876 and 1886 Winchesters or Marlin 1881 and 1895s as well as all over while the rifles were in saddle scabbards- fairly common in icy winter conditions, especially in the mountains. Also, sometimes horses will walk so close to trees that they rub against them. If a rifle is in a butt-forward position scabbard, the rifle can go on one side of the tree and the horse the other causing a stress cracked stock. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think so. The wrists are fairly strong on most rifles and it takes a lot to crack one. If anyone else has a different theory about this condition, I'd like to hear it!

"GUNS OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION YEARS" When the Great Depression began with the Stock Market Crash of 1929 America was taken by surprise. Prior to this pivotal event, in the gun industry production was high and sales were brisk. Almost overnight sales fell off hugely. The Winchester Handbook by George Madis shows production numbers by years of some of the major models. This is pretty illuminating. Here are some examples: Model 1890 .22RF had 12,367 produced in 1928 and 696 made in 1932; Model 1892 saw 64,833 produced in 1910 and 491 in 1930; Model 53 had 2,861 produced in 1925 and 30 made in 1937; Model 1894 had 29,967 made in 1927 and only1,192 made in 1934; Model 55 had 3,064 made in 1927 and 42 made in 1936. Colt, Marlin, Savage, Remington and Smith & Wesson etc. all f elt the same pressure. With production down to a fraction of what it was, the big manufacturers had no choice but to fire employees. Those lucky enough to be retained were the most highly skilled and experienced craftsmen. They also had time to put extra fine fitting and finishing into each firearm. Generally, the quality of these guns is truly exceptionally. With production numbers of these late pre-war arms relatively small and quality without peer, their value should be assured. Some of the scarce large frame Colt and S&W handguns- especially the target sighted versions- are almost breathtaking in their fit an d finish. This has been an under-appreciated niche in arms collecting/investing. It is my belief Great Depression era arms are often "sleepers" on the antique market today and are bound to increase in value at a rapid pace making them excellent long term investments.

I have found a new shooting activity that I'm sure a number of folks who check out my website will either want to try themselves or will at least find interesting reading. I've discovered the fun of BLACK POWDER SHOTSHELLS. And no, I'm not new to black powder. I've been shooting muzzle loaders since I was a kid (I was too young to buy ammo, but a can of black powder and a single shot muzzle loading pistol kept me shooting!) I've shot black powder cartridge rifles and some handguns since the 1970s. I've also tried a few muzzle loading shotguns, but a while back I noticed Midway was offering reloadable brass shotshells made by Magtech in Brazil. They cost about a buck a piece and come in a box of 25. So I thought this looked interesting and bought a box. They prime with a large pistol primer (I use CCI Large Pistol Mag. Primers) and require no special tools to load. I did buy a "cowboy 12 ga. shell holder" by RCBS which makes priming easier, but one can prime using a dowel, hammer and a flat surface to seat the primer. Anyway, I loaded with various loads of black powder as well as Alliant Black MZ black powder substitute. 27.3 grains equals one dram, so a typical field load of 3 1/2 drams equals about 95 grains of black powder or substitute. I load that through a drop tube to better settle the powder, using a wood dowel I seat an over powder card wad, then a cushion wad, pour in 1 1/8 oz. of shot from an antique shot dipper I picked up somewhere along the line, top with another over powder wad and then put about three small drops of Elmer's glue on this top wad at the edge. Last, using a Q-tip sweep it around the wad edge. It dries making a nice seal with the inside of the brass case and holds everything together. Firing removes any glue residue from the case. I picked up a particularly nice Remington 1889 double barrel with exposed hammers (damascus with exc. bores) and tried out my loads on some thrown clays. I'm not a good shot with a scattergun, but when I felt I was on, the clay targets broke as nicely as if I'd been using a modern smokeless shotgun. I used this double on a pheasant hunt last fall and did just fine with it. Truthfully, it made the hunt so much more fun I don't know if I'd go again with one of my modern guns! Today I tried the same shells in a Winchester 1887 Lever Action 12 ga. that was made in 1888. It fed beautifully and was a blast to shoot (no pun intended). The brass cases de-prime with a simple Lee type punch and clean up with hot soapy water. No resizing is required for the next loading. Pretty simple. The 12 ga. cases are 2 1/2" long, which is exactly what a modern 2 3/4" case measures LOADED AND UNFIRED. Remember, many of the older guns, like the Winchester 1887, have 2 5/8" chambers. You don't want to shoot a 2 3/4" shell in them as they won't be able to open up all the way causing pressures to jump etc. I don't think Magtech offers brass cases in 10 ga. but they do in the smaller gauges. There are a lot of older shotguns out there that can often be purchased inexpensively and make wonderful shooters. Be sure to have any gun checked out by a gunsmith if you have doubts about it. With these brass cases and ease of loading, it's worth trying. Buffalo Arms in Idaho sells the correct size wads for these brass cases- they actually take 11 ga. wads. If you give this a try, I think you'll be glad you did- Bill Goodman