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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. 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.

MORE GUNS WERE POSTED ON 6/16/18. WATCH FOR FREQUENT POSTINGS THROUGH JUNE.

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) SINGLE ACTION ARMY, .38-40, 4 3/4" BARREL, #187XXX, WITH FACTORY LETTER SHOWING SHIPMENT TO SIMMONS HARDWARE COMPANY, ST LOUIS, MISSOURI ON JULY 31, 1899. Amazingly only 86 numbers away from the above SAA! And both came out of Arizona. This is a typical cowboy gun that now is mostly gray/brown overall. Good markings with correct two line barrel address, strong patent dates with rampant colt on the frame. Matching numbers. Very tight action and good screws. The grips show wear- especially the right panel which is typical as this is the outside grip that would see more wear. Bore will clean excellent, front sight filed flat on top for sighting in. some aged blue in the protected areas of the cylinder flutes, ejector housing flute etc. butt appears to have had some pitting on it at one time that was filed or heavily cleaned- most of the serial number remains and matches. Good appearance. (4 photos) $2100.

2) VERY EARLY PRODUCTION 1908 .25 AUTO PISTOL, SERIAL NUMBER 41XX, MADE 1909, considering that over 409,000 of these small pocket autos were made from 1908-1941, this is one of the first of this popular series, correct stylized "C" with rampant colt embossed early style grips are in excellent condition, fine blue on all flat sides with rounded areas and edges dulling a bit from age and handling showing that this was an obviously carried and used little pistol, but cared for and not abused, has the earliest slide markings with the 1903 patent date, unmarked magazine (as many were), tight action and fine inside, would be difficult to find a lower serial number example in this model, $795.

3) FINE, GREAT DEPRESSION ERA .380 ACP MODEL 1908 HAMMERLESS AUTO, #100XXX, MADE 1932. Excellent deep blue on major parts with some scuffing and thinning toward the muzzle that blends well, light blue wear on the front strap and grip safety silvery, exc. markings, exc. bore, exc. Colt marked hard rubber grips showing no chips or cracks, original sights have not been altered, exc. Colt marked two-tone magazine, interesting to note that famous gangster John Dillinger was carrying one like this when he was gunned down in Chicago on July 22, 1934. These Colt .380s are getting very hard to find. $1195.

4) EARLIEST STYLE, FIRST MODEL OFFICERS MODEL .38 DA, #245XXX, MADE 1905, called by collectors “Left-Wheelers” as the cylinder revolves counter clockwise only on this first type target revolver. This model is simply a target version of the Model 1892 series of revolvers (New Army and New Navy) that were made in civilian version as well as under government contract for the U.S. Military. These distinctive and particularly attractively finished revolvers are quite scarce today. The cylinders are bored through to take both the service .38 Long Colt rounds or .38 Special cartridges. Exc. markings with the last patent date of 1901 on the barrel top. Matching assembly numbers on the frame, yoke and cylinder release. Correct adjustable target sights, fine deep blue overall with some dulling on the barrel sides and light scattered scuffing on the frame, trigger guard, and thinning blue on the grip straps and cylinder edges, checkered trigger and back strap, excellent checkered walnut grips correct for this model without medallions, tight action and exc. bore. Interestingly, has the small number 854 under either a letter or numeral stamped on the left side of the frame which leads me to believe this might have been a police or guard gun. A Colt factory letter would be worth obtaining for this one. Truly a class act from the early 29^th century! $975.

5) ALMOST NEVER ENCOUNTERED NEW SERVICE .45 COLT CALIBER, 5 1/2" BARREL REVOLVER IN EXTREMELY RARE FACTORY NICKEL FINISH! This is a very late Great Depression era Colt with serial number in the 344XXX range indicating a manufacture date of 1938. At this time Colt was turning out relatively few New Service revolvers compared to the decades before the Depression. It is fitted with ivory grips that show an aged and mellow color. All markings are sharp and crisp including the rampant colt on the frame, all the barrel markings and Colt proof. This excellent condition New Service retains nearly all the nickel with only some minor peeling on the edges of the cylinder and left side of the trigger. There is also some light scattered freckling from age only- all very minor. Front sight has not been altered, lanyard ring intact and retains all the nickel finish. Tight action and exc. bore. A stunning and extremely scarce New Service variation. (4 photos) $1895.

6) SELDOM SEEN .22 LONG RIFLE CHAMBERED OFFICIAL POLICE WITH VERY RARE 4” BARREL, #43XXX, MADE 1957. Only about 30,000 of these were made from 1930-1966 and almost all were with 6” barrels. Many, if not most, of these were used by law enforcement agencies as inexpensive “training guns” for their officers firing non-recoiling and cheap .22 LR ammo. This extremely scarce 4” example is in near new condition overall and shows almost no real use. Most of the blue is still on the face of the cylinder showing that this particular revolver was rarely if ever fired as the blast from the cartridges quickly takes the blue off the front of the cylinder. The only flaw to this one is that there is some very shallow scratching on the butt that appears to be three initials and the date “10/25/66.” I actually owned this revolver for quite some time and never even noticed this until the light hit it at an angle and it showed up- that’s how minor it is. Super condition inside and out. A very difficult Colt model to locate even with the standard 6” barrel. $975.

MARLIN (click text for photos).

1) 1889 .44-40 ROUND BARREL RIFLE, #71XXX, MADE 1892. This is a fine original frontier rifle that has seen normal use, but no abuse. Overall metal on receiver, barrel and magazine tube is an even and attractive, uncleaned plum/brown with some blue in protected areas and on the loading gate. Original buckhorn rear sight with correct Rocky Mountain blade front, tight action, fine walnut butt stock and forearm showing only normal handling marks. Bore is surprisingly fine with good rifling throughout with light scattered roughness that might scrub out better. Exc.markings. Only made for a few years until replaced with the Model 1894. This was Marlin's first side eject model. Desirable caliber. $1395.

2) LIMITED PRODUCTION MODEL ’94 SADDLE RING CARBINE IN .32-20 CALIBER, #425XXX, MADE APPROX. 1909. Marlin saddle ring carbines are much more rare than most people realize and are very difficult to find in all models and calibers. I try to get them whenever I can, but just don’t see them often. This example came out of here in Montana and while it shows typical Montana ranch use, it is not altered or abused. Overall metal is a very aged/thinned blue that is mainly an uncleaned gray/brown. Markings are all fine and it still retains the correct carbine rear sight with slide intact. The wood is sound, but shows normal handling and saddle carry- there are normal dings and scratches, but the wood to metal fit is fine and there are no cracks. The action is tight and all springs are strong- needs only one filler screw that is missing from the factory drilled and tapped tang sight holes. When I got this one it hadn’t been cleaned in years. I ran a few patches through the bore and they came out full of black crud. The bore is dark with good rifling and needs a good thorough scrubbing out to remove more of the leading and crud that has accumulated. The bore won’t be excellent, but should be “a shootable bore.” I’ve had very few .32-20 Marlin saddle ring carbines over the years. $1195.

3) HERE IS ONE HALF (THE BACK HALF!) OF A MARLIN MODEL ’94 TAKEDOWN RIFLE. The previous owner said it turned up here in a Montana barn. He said the font half (barrel/magazine/forearm) was nowhere to be found. It appears this was either a .32-20 or .25-20 rifle made in the 1910s as the serial number is A1XX. It retains some thin blue on the bolt and traces of very faded case color. The stock is fine with a very small and worn-in chip at the top of the butt plate. There is also some dark staining to the bottom part of the stock mainly on the right side- looks like soot or that it possibly hung over a wood stove or fireplace. Action is fine, nice screws. Just needs a front half! (3 photos) $550.

4) 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.

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) SCARCE MODEL 375, CHAMBERED FOR THE FINE .375 WCF CARTRIDGE AND ONLY MADE IN LIMITED QUANTITIES FROM 1980-1983, a really great short to medium range caliber (I have one in a Ruger No.3 single shot that shoots amazingly small groups), 20" barrel with 2/3 mag., factory sling swivels and factory drilled and tapped for scope mounting, this one is in near new condition, $895.

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

MODERN AND CUSTOM CLASSIC FIREARMS (click text for photos)

1) ED BROWN PRODUCTS, MODEL 1911 EXECUTIVE TARGET .45 ACP, one of the finest custom 1911s on the market, this one is brand new in the original Ed Brown Products zipper case with lock, bottle of Ed Brown Firearm Lubricant, owners manual etc., these are stainless guns and this one has the attractive optional Gen4 black coating finish, Ed Brown Custom marked slide, with correct Ed Brown marked magazine, right out of the box about as superb a 1911 as you can buy and this one is brand new, there is one available on the Ed Brown website (without the optional Gen4 black coating) for $2895. My price on this exceptional 1911 target sighted auto without the long wait for a custom order is $2350.

2) BROWNING BLR LEVER ACTION RIFLE IN LIMITED PRODUCTION AND DESIRABLE .358 WIN. CALIBER. This is a Miroku of Japan made rifle that is unusual in that it has a much fancier than standard grade of walnut in the butt stock. Usually the wood on these is a plain piece of blonde walnut where this one has some nice figure/fiddleback in it. Checkered forend and wrist, exc. blue overall, original Browning marked rubber butt plate, gold trigger and comes with one extra factory magazine. There is one tiny smudge of blue wear at the muzzle and a few light marks in the stock finish which is all that keeps this one from appearing new. Comes with a Leupold scope base installed along with the factory open sights on the 20” barrel. I think if I were going to keep this rifle, I’d strip the stock finish and replace it with an oil rubbed finish. With the figured walnut of this rifle that would be a knock-out! $995.

REMINGTON (click text for photos)

1) EXTREMELY RARE AND DESIRABLE "BABY SADDLE RING CARBINE" .44-40 ROLLING BLOCK IN SUPER CONDITION! These were very popular in the Southwest as well as across the border in Mexico, this example, like most, has Remington's full nickel plate finish that amazingly is still in excellent condition! Nearly all the nickel remains with only some frostiness/light peeling to some edges etc., even the upper and lower tangs retain bright nickel, barrel band shows most nickel with only minor peeling/wear, exc. wood with the desirable "44 CF" stamping on the left side of the wrist (I've seen this before on this model- some have it and some don't- correct blued carbine leaf sight with blade front, correct 20" barrel, exc. Remington markings on the upper tang, tight wood to metal fit, exc. screws, fine bore looks to have the usual light roughness ahead of the chamber with good rifling throughout (needs a good scrubbing out), one of the best of these rare carbines that I've seen, seldom offered for sale, $2950.

2) ROLLING BLOCK .50-70 CALIBER, NEW YORK STATE CONTRACT MUSKET, C.1871. This one has the last patent date of 1871 stamped on the upper tang indicating it was from the first New York contract of that year. Later guns have the last date of 1874. Overall metal is an uncleaned gray/brown, cleaning rod intact, correct rear sight with ladder and slide intact. Fine wood with tight wood to metal fit shows normal handling marks, but no chips, cracks or abuse. Has the standard inspector stamps in the wood along with the usual rack/unit numbers. Tight action with good bore that has strong rifling throughout with scattered light/surface roughness that will probably scrub out better. Many of these fine and historic Rollers are still being shot today. $995.

3) EXCELLENT CONDITION HEPBURN 30" OCTAGON SPORTING RIFLE IN DESIRABLE CALIBER 38-55 WITH BRIGHT EXCELLENT BORE. This rifle in the 9XXX serial range has the later ebony wedge/schnable forend tip where the earlier rifles had steel tips. One of the more scarce calibers for the Hepburn, the .38-55 is much less common than most calibers normally encountered in this model. Barrel and receiver serial numbers match, correct Remington barrel address, exc. barrel blue, fine blue on the hammer and breech block, still retains some aged case color on the butt plate, receiver ring and left side of the receiver with the right side having some color mainly around the lever and in the protected areas. Rocky mountain blade front sight with Remington buckhorn rear sight, tight wood to metal fit and generally excellent stock and forend with fine factory checkering on the pistol grip. There is one tiny hole in the left side of the forend by the forend screw that seems to go nowhere and I don’t understand why it is there, yet I’ve seen an identical one in other Hepburn rifles. On close inspection it appears to go to where the cut out in the wood inside the forend is that houses the forend screw. I wonder if it was somehow to hold a pin that connected with the forend screw to keep it tight…but that seems odd. A touch of wood fill would make it disappear, but I’ve left it. If someone knows what this was for I’d sure like to know! Regardless, it is so minor it is hardly worth mentioning. Hepburn sporters are really hard to find these days and this is a fine one with a great bore. $3450.

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) SHILOH SHARPS 1863 FULL LENGTH THREE BAND MILITARY RIFLE, .54 CALIBER PERCUSSION, #9XX MADE IN FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK. These percussion models are now discontinued and not found in the Shiloh catalog which is a real shame as they are wonderfully accurate and loads of fun to shoot! (I have several!). This excellent condition example was probably made in the late 1970s and has the small "wolf's head" stamping on the right side of the barrel ahead of the receiver- it is my understanding that rifles with this stamp were actually made by Wolfgang ("Wolf) Droge who founded the company . It has really attractive reddish/brown walnut and sports the optional steel patchbox and polished barrel. Aside from a few tiny and minor handling marks in the wood, it is in remarkably near new condition. Bright bore, very light trigger pull, vivid case colors (on the receiver, hammer, lever, butt plate, barrel bands and patch box), correct original Lawrence ladder rear sight with slide, deep barrel blue, original sling swivels with military style leather sling. These are now really hard to find especially with patchbox. $2550.

SMITH AND WESSON (click text for photos)

1) VERY LIMITED PRODUCTION NEW MODEL NUMBER 3 FRONTIER MODEL IN .44-40 CALIBER, SERIAL NUMBERED 1-2072, THIS ONE IS #1XX. Of the original 2,072 of this model, 786 were converted to .44 Russian and sold to Japan. That leaves only 1286 New Model No.3 Frontier Revolvers in .44-40, making this one of the hardest to locate and most desirable of the big single action S&Ws. This example is mainly a gray/brown overall with tight action and matching numbers on the cylinder, frame, lever catch, barrel and on the inside of the factory fancy checkered walnut grips. Fine bore is a little dark but ought to scrub out about excellent. Fine, un-chipped and un-cracked grips show a bit more wear on the right panel which is typical when worn in a holster on the right side with that grip exposed. This example has the long 6 ½” barrel. These were produced from 1885 – 1908. Obviously, by serial number, this is a very early production revolver. An S&W historical letter might prove interesting on this one. This distinct model doesn’t show up often! $2850.

2) EXCELLENT, HIGH CONDITION AND RARE 1899 U.S. ARMY MARKED FIRST MODEL .38 COLT SERVICE CARTRIDGE, HAND EJECTOR REVOLVER, only 1,000 of these were made c.1901 and are a distinct variation with checkered walnut grips with "J.T.T. 1901" inspector stamping in the top lefty grip and "K.S.M." in the top right grip along with "K.S.M." on the frame, under the barrel and on the cylinder face etc., butt clearly marked "U.S. Army Model 1899" with lanyard ring intact, excellent deep blue overall with only dulling plum on the grip straps, minor holster wear on the barrel sides toward the muzzle, front sight has not been altered, minor edge wear to the deep blue on the cylinder with some light flaking from age, fine vivid case colors on the hammer and trigger, exc. sharp checkering on the original grips (when these grips are missing or wrong they are about impossible to find to replace), all correct and in the correct 13XXX serial range, almost never encountered, (Note: bottom photo has photo light reflection that makes the S&W logo look weak, it is sharp and clear) $2350.

3) HIGH CONDITION LADYSMITH 3RD. MODEL (PERFECTED .22) REVOLVER, MADE FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION 1911! These petite .22s were made from 1911-1921 with only a little over 12,000 made in both blue and nickel finish. This one is the more desirable blue with 3 1/2" barrel. Serial numbers began with 13951 and went through 26154. The number on this example is 140XX no doubt from the first batch made the first year. Often these are found in terribly used and abused condition, this one retains most of the original blue with only some wear at the bottom of the back strap, minor flaking near the muzzle on the barrel and some light edge wear/thinning on the cylinder, exc. markings, exc. screws, exc. mech. (unusual!), exc. intact forcing cone- these often cracked, chipped or blown away altogether from the use of high speed ammunition- still retains most of the blue on the cylinder face indicating that this revolver was rarely shot, nice case color on the hammer and trigger sides, exc. fancier than standard walnut grips with deep dish gold S&W medallions, matching serial numbers, fine bore, one of the best of these I've seen! The 4th edition of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Supica and Nahas, published last year (a must have book) lists these in excellent condition with a value of $2000. This one is certainly excellent, my price is $1595 (Note: looks much better in person than in photos as bright photo lights reflect off every surface scratch and oil that aren't really visible under normal conditions).

4) ONE OF THE RAREST POST W.W.II MODELS! THIS IS THE PRE-MODEL 37 CHIEF SPECIAL AIRWEIGHT WITH THE EARLY AND QUICKLY DISCONTINUED ALUMINUM CYLINDER, MADE 1953! This model was introduced in 1952 and by 1954 the aluminum cylinder was replaced with steel as the aluminum was prone to crack (or worse!) when used with anything more powerful than standard .38 Special "mid-range" loads, I believe most of these revolvers were either destroyed or returned to S&W for a steel cylinder. I can't recall seeing another of these with the original numbered cylinder intact. All matching numbers on frame, cylinder, barrel AND INSIDE THE GRIPS, beautiful condition overall with nearly all the blue intact on the barrel, case colors on the hammer and trigger and "black" finish on the aluminum frame and cylinder, an extremely difficult to find flat latch S&W in superb condition, (note: light reflection makes it look like there is blue wear/edge wear. It is near full blue overall) $1195.

5) ONE OF THE MOST ELUSIVE AND HARD TO FIND IS THIS FIRST MODEL MILITARY AND POLICE "MODEL 1899 HAND EJECTOR" IN .38 SPECIAL CALIBER, these "Grandfather of all the M&Ps" were only made from 1899-1902 and are immediately recognizable because it is the only Hand Ejector without a locking lug on the bottom of the barrel for the ejector rod to catch, also, all had round grip frames, this one with 5" barrel is in the 19XXX serial range and has matching serial numbers, very tight action and exc. bore, nice bright case colors on the hammer sides, case color on the trigger a bit dulled but shows some color, exc. correct hard rubber grips with patent dates on the bottom left grip panel, fine blue in all the usual protected areas with thinning/ageing blue on the more exposed parts- like the outside of the cylinder, back strap etc. yet retains plenty of blue overall on the frame, trigger guard and barrel, front sight has not been filed or altered, exc. screws and markings, a limited production fairly scarce model to locate, $795.

6) 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) $1595.

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. $895.

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

1) SUPERIOR CONDITION 1884 TRAPDOOR SPRINGFIELD .45-70 RIFLE, #472XXX, MADE 1889, one of the better Trapdoor rifles I've offered in a long time, this one retains most of the deep blue on the barrel and barrel bands, correct cleaning rod intact, exc. blue on the trigger guard, retains nearly all the "oil quench" black case hardening on the lock and hammer, exc. markings, FINE CASE COLORS ON THE BREECH BLOCK! Sharp "SWP 1889" stock cartouche and Circle P cartouche, minty bright bore, correct Buffington rear sight, exc. wood with hardly any handling marks, these are really getting hard to find this nice and still a bargain on the antique market today! (3 photos) $1295.

2) OUTSTANDING 1899 KRAG CARBINE, #359XXX, WITH SHARP 1901 STOCK CARTOUCHE. All the Krag Carbines have become very difficult to find these days. The 1899 was the last U.S. Carbine to be made before the famed 1903 Springfield .30-06 became the standard. This example retains about all the deep barrel blue that shows only light ageing. Correct “C” marked rear sight and has the desirable humped handguard that is in excellent condition without any cracks. Fine bright bore needs a good scrubbing out to be about excellent. Good aged blue on the extractor and trigger guard. Along with the very sharp 1901 stock cartouche is an equally sharp circle P cartouche behind the trigger guard. There is a small 1 ¼” by 1 ¼” very lightly scratched “horse or pony” figure with the word “COLT” scratched beneath- meaning unknown. It is very, very lightly scratched (not carved) and would be very easy to rub out. The balance of the stock is excellent and un-marred. Tight action and excellent markings including the Model 1899 receiver markings etc. (4 photos) $1895.

3) SMITH & WESSON 1899 U.S. ARMY .38 HAND EJECTOR FIRST MODEL (see above in S&W section)

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

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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