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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/classic 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 5/22/19. WATCH FOR FREQUENT POSTINGS THROUGH MAY.

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) 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.

2) HISTORICAL, EARLY, GREAT FACTORY LETTER MODEL 1902 MILITARY AUTO, .38 ACP, SHIPPED 1904. This is the best possible factory letter one could hope for as the records show this pistol as being shipped on August 11, 1904 to: COPPER QUEEN CONSOLIDATED MINING CO., DOUGLAS. TERRITORY OF ARIZONA! On top of all that, this 115 year old Colt is in remarkable condition. First off, Douglas, Arizona is a border town with a border crossing to Mexico. The Copper Queen Mining Co. began operations in Douglas in 1904, the year this Colt was delivered there. Being only a few years prior to the Mexican Revolution, this was a particularly violent and turbulent time and place. In 1904 Douglas, Arizona Territory was full of miners, cowboys, Arizona Rangers and a whole host of other Old West characters. Pancho Villa threatened to attack Douglas during the Mexican Revolution! The Colt Model 1902 was a popular early automatic pistol especially in Mexico. The Mexican government even ordered a number of them with pearl grips- very few of these have survived and even fewer have ever made it back to the U.S. Only a total of about 18,000 1902 Military Models were made from 1902-1928. Early examples like this are even more scarce. This one has the early round of “stub” hammer along with excellent hard rubber grips and lanyard swivel. All slide markings are sharp and clear. This was one of the earliest examples with rear slide serrations. The left side of the slide is marked “Patented” over “April 20,1897 September 9, 1902.” With other Colt patent/address markings. The right side has the correct “Automatic Colt” over “Calibre .38 Rimless Smokeless” etc. The slide retains excellent deep, high polish blue with only normal light edge/muzzle wear. The magazine is marked “MIL COLT 38 CAL” and retains most of the blue- a correct later magazine. The grip straps and bottom of the trigger guard are mainly gray with fine blue on the sides of the frame with some light thinning of the blue on the bottom section under the slide. Sights are correct and unaltered, bore is minty bright, nice fire blue remains on the trigger sides, tight action and great overall appearance. Colt began making auto pistols in 1900 and this is one of the earliest. Combining that with condition and Arizona Territory shipment to a particularly historically significant area makes this a real Colt prize.(5 photos: note that the blue in the photos looks a bit dull, not so, it is high polish as can be seen in photo #4) $3250.

3) RARELY SEEN AND HIGH CONDITION 1908 POCKET HAMMERLESS .380 ACP IN FACTORY NICKEL FINISH, #92007 (JUST THE NUMBER FOR JAMES BOND’S GRANDFATHER!), MADE 1928. The .380 auto was made from 1908 to W.W.II in much fewer numbers than the more popular Model 1903 .32 ACP pistol. They now seem so popular with collectors and shooters that finding one today is difficult. Nickel finish was an extra option that was rarely ordered and nickel examples now are seldom encountered. This one retains nearly all the original bright nickel with only a tiny scuff or two that you’d have to look carefully to notice. All markings are sharp and clear and the correct checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions are sharp and excellent. It retains the original Colt marked magazine, tight mechanically with exc. bore. Comes with an equally rare “Audley patented Oct. 13, 1914” marked leather holster with metal spring clip on the inside to hold the pistol firmly in place. Only the belt loop is missing from the back of this exc. condition and very scarce holster. Overall, a great set from the last days of the Roaring Twenties which ended with the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression which followed. $1795.

4) MODEL 1909 U. S. ARMY, .45 COLT REVOLVER, #45XXX. This was the last of the big .45 Colt caliber revolvers Colt made for the U.S. Government. The quality of fit and finish was superb on these big sidearms. This one has seen use, but is still respectable. The action locks up like the proverbial “bank vault” with no play in the cylinder when the hammer is cocked and let down half way (this is when the action locks up completely). The bore is bright and excellent. There is still fine deep blue on the cylinder with only normal edge wear, the balance of the frame and barrel are a mixture of about half good blue with plum/brown mixing from age, the front strap and back strap are mostly brown with some blue in the front strap, fine blue on the butt along with excellent “U.S. ARMY MODEL 1909” markings. Matching number on the butt, frame and crane, correct RAC inspector markings on the back of the cylinder, bottom of the barrel and right side of the frame. Lanyard swivel intact, front sight has not been filed or altered, still retains some nice fire blue on the trigger sides and lower hammer back. Fine walnut grips and all excellent markings including the important “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on the bottom of the barrel- this often ground off and missing plus the stylized "C" and rampant colt on the frame. Many of these fine Colts were carried in World War I and World War II. Nice example. $1395.

5) CLASSIC COLT MATCH TARGET .22 LR AUTO PISTOL, #175XXX S, MADE 1957. One of the all time great .22 target pistols, the all steel Match Target is in a category of its own. This early example from the Eisenhower days (!) shows light use only. It retains the full blue finish with only very light edge and handling wear. Correct black thumb-rest grips and Colt marked magazine. Perfect bright bore and tight mechanics with typical great Match Target trigger pull. All exc. sharp markings. Colt will never again produce guns like this…how unfortunate! $1100.

MARLIN (click text for photos).

1) MODEL 1889 IN DESIRABLE .44-40 CALIBER, 24” ROUND BARREL, #68XXX, MADE 1892. This was Marlin’s first side eject model and was quickly replaced within a few years by the famed Model 1894. Of the 55,072 made in all calibers, 20,934 were made in .44-40. It seems most of these early Marlins saw hard frontier usage and it is difficult to find one today in better than hard-used and beat-up condition. This example shows use, but no abuse. The butt stock and forearm show light handling with good wood to metal fit. Buckhorn rear sight probably an old replacement, original Rocky Mountain blade front sight. Overall, the metal surfaces are an aged, but uncleaned brown patina, tight action with good half-cock and surprisingly fine+ bore that is a little dark with strong rifling all the way through and any roughness very light and scattered- should brush out even better. Lever catch is intact. The Model 1889 is much more scarce than the later Model 1894. Nice appearance on this frontier used Marlin .44-40. This one turned up in Arizona. $1295.

2) VERY EARLY FIRST YEAR PRODUCTION, SPECIAL ORDER 1894 .38-40 OCTAGON RIFLE WITH SUPER RARE 28” BARREL AND FULL MAGAZINE, #110XXX, MADE 1894. The earliest 1894s were made with no model designation or markings on the upper tang. This one is fitted with a Lyman tang sight fitted correctly in the two factory drilled tang sight holes in the upper tang…and underneath are NO markings (or any extra holes!). Very few of these early rifles were ordered with extra length barrels and this one is 4” longer than the standard 24” length. Butt stock and forend show minimal handling marks and display tight wood to metal fit, receiver is mostly a mottled gray with good blue on the loading gate, fine deep barrel blue showing light age only, mag tube blue ageing/mixing heavily with an uncleaned brown. Lyman tang sight is mated with a Marbles ivory bead 34W front sight with buckhorn rear sight. Tight action, fine bore is a bit dark with strong rifling and looks like it needs a good clean to clear some leading from the grooves. This is a really rare early 1894. $1950.

3) 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.

4) MODEL 27-S OCTAGON PUMP RIFLE IN .25-20 CALIBER, MADE FROM 1909-1925. These fine takedown rifles were made in .25 Rim Fire, .25-20 and .32-20 calibers only. Obviously, the center fire caliber examples are in most demand. This is an excellent example retaining excellent blue on the barrel and magazine with only very light ageing and some equally light freckling. The receiver also retains excellent blue with only some very light edge wear and some very minor light thinning on the left side of the receiver. Excellent wood with tight wood to metal fit, exc. bore, fitted with a Sheard marked Marble blade/bead front sight with an unusual and attractive Marble big full buckhorn with white diamond below the sighting notch rear sight. Tight action, barrel is marked “SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL” along with the Marlin address and model designation on the upper tang. These superb pump rifles were not serial numbered. Another Marlin that is not often seen much today. This is a nice one. $1150.

5) MODEL 39 CENTURY LIMITED, .22 S, L & LR, 20 INCH OCTAGON BARREL, ONLY MADE 1970 TO COMMEMORATE 100 YEARS OF MARLIN FIREARMS. This one is in about new condition showing no wear. It has the correct brass “coin” medallion in the right side of the receiver showing the Marlin horse and rider logo with 1870 and 1970 dates. The right side of the stock also has the brass oval plate stating “39 CENTURY LTD” with “MARLIN 100 YEARS” etc. Mounted with a Weaver D4 .22 scope on the correct base complete with lens covers. It also has the original buckhorn and blade/bead front sights with gold trigger and distinctive brass forend cap and brass butt plate. Comes with the original 39 Century Limited owners manual. One of the most handsome Model 39s Marlin ever made at the North Haven, CT factory. These don’t show up much any more. $1150.

6) BALLARD No. 1 1/2 HUNTERS MODEL, .45-70, 32" BARREL (see below in Antique/Classic section)

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. $895.

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! $1100.

3) BALLARD RIFLE & CARTRIDGE, CODY, WYOMING MADE No. 4 FANCY SPORTING RIFLE IN .45-90 (see below in the Shiloh Sharps and Reproduction section)

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 and 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. $1950.

2) STEVENS NEW MODEL POCKET RIFLE, SECOND ISSUE, .22 SHORT CALIBER, 12” HALF OCTAGON BARREL WITH MATCHING STOCK, #8XXX, MADE 1875-1896. These are getting quite scarce as only about 15,000 were made during the black powder era and many didn’t survive. This model came before the more common Model 40 Pocket Rifle made from 1896-1916 that is easily identified by the trigger guard that the early models lack. The New Model Second Issue was made in various .22 Rim Fire rounds plus .32 Rim Fire. This example is in the smallest chambering of .22 Short and is unusual for two reasons. First it is STILL .22 Short and hasn’t been bored out to .22 Long Rifle. This is important because the rifling twist is different for the .22 Short as it fires a light 29 grain bullet compared to the usual 40 grain .22 Long Rifle bullet. Accuracy suffers when this is done by people who didn’t realize this. Also this one is unusual because it has a bright, excellent bore! Most of these were fired extensively with black powder loaded shells that unless cleaned immediately after shooting will spell doom for the bore. This one is outstanding by comparison to almost all I’ve seen in the past. Has excellent bright nickel on the frame with only a small bit of peeling around the side plate and a small spot on the left side of the butt. The stock has a matching serial number to the frame and retains fine nickel with some minor brown spotting. Only the stock screw appears to be a replacement as these were usually of the knurled type and this one has a slot, but fits perfectly. Correct globe front sight with pinhead post and small silver blade on top of the globe matched with a tall buckhorn rear sight with elevator screw. Barrel has the Stevens markings with the last patent date of 1864. The barrel retains a soft thin blue mixing evenly with light brown. Excellent rosewood grips fit perfectly. A really nice example of a type of firearm that doesn’t seem to show often any more. $1295.

3) SHARPS 1878 BORCHARDT .45-70 HEAVY HALF OCT. SPORTER, #559. This one is a bit of a mystery as the 30” barrel has all the correct Sharps Bridgeport markings along with the “OLD RELIABLE” marking, yet there is no serial number under the barrel. The shotgun butt stock is typical Sharps while the forend is either a worked over original or a very old replacement as it has a contrasting wood schnable forend tip. The barrel and receiver are a very aged brown. The rear sight is a military (Springfield Trapdoor?) ladder style that has been altered to have a heavy/thick full buckhorn when down or a peep slide when the ladder is raised. Globe front sight with 3/4 "T" cross hair aperture. The upper tang is drilled for a tang sight and probably had one at one time as the filler screws are gone. Action is tight, Sharps markings on the receiver and barrel are clear, bore is perfect. I was told that this rifle was put together by a gunsmith named Phil “Blue Jacket” Sanders who passed away ten or fifteen years ago. Butt stock is solid and shows only light handling, forend is also solid and quite attractive with only some light chipping around the bottom rear screw attachment. This one has a lot of character and utility as is, but really has a lot of potential if someone wanted to put the time and money into refinishing etc. Weighs 11 lbs. (3 photos) $2450.

MODERN AND CUSTOM CLASSIC FIREARMS (click text for photos)

1) DISCONTINUED, BROWNING BPS INVECTOR SCARCE 20 GA. PUMP SHOTGUN WITH FULL ENGRAVED RECEIVER AND HIGH POLISH BLUE. The only BPS now offered seems to be either plain, matt blue or with a camo finish. This example has a 28 inch vent rib barrel with one choke tube installed. It will take either 20 ga. 2 ¾” or 3” magnum shells. Sharp checkering on the pistol grip and generously proportioned forearm, tight action, perfect bore, fine wood and metal that shows only light handling, the stock on this model is hollowed out under the butt plate for a few inches to reduce weight leaving fairly thin side walls to the rear of the butt stock- as such, there is a typical hairline grain crack on the right side coming forward from the butt plate that goes nowhere and is not a problem at all- looks like a scratch in the finish. (Could be easily reinforced from inside the butt, but is not necessary). Great bottom load/eject design. Most in this model were 12 ga which makes this 20 ga. a scarce find. This is really a beautiful pump gun that would be hard to replace. (4 photos) $595.

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

3) HARRINGTON AND RICHARDSON 1873 OFFICERS MODEL TRAPDOOR .45-70 (see below in the Shiloh Sharps and Reproduction section)

4) BALLARD RIFLE & CARTRIDGE, CODY, WYOMING MADE No. 4 FANCY SPORTING RIFLE IN .45-90 (see below in the 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) $995.

2) CLASSIC REMINGTON MODEL 14 PUMP RIFLE IN DESIRABLE .35 REM. CALIBER. These were made from 1913-1934 and were obviously another example of a fine rifle model killed off by the Great Depression. This example appears to be from the 1920s and is in the most effective and now most readily available and desirable caliber of .35 Remington. The receiver shows most of the original deep blue with only some slight edge and bottom wear, the barrel retains fine blue that is a little dulled by age and shows a few minor small spots where surface rust was simply wiped off- hardly worth mentioning. It has the buckhorn rear sight, but was factory cut with the narrow dovetail beneath the sight so that the existing rear sight could be exchanged for the optional “wheel” adjustable for elevation Remington sight. Fine butt stock and forearm. Retains the correct steel butt plate unique to this model. Exc. sharp bore and tight action. Nice examples of this model in .35 Remington caliber are getting hard to find. Typical superb Pre-War Remington quality never to be seen again. $895.

3) 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, $495.

2) SCARCE, LEVER ACTION MODEL 96 .22 MAGNUM CALIBER CARBINE, MADE 1996. These short-lived Rugers rarely turn up these days because, in my opinion, the owners like them and won’t let them go! I have one in the more common .22 LR and it is NOT for sale. The .22 Mag. was made in much smaller numbers and they rarely surface now. This example is in near new condition with only a few tiny handling marks in the wood. It is fitted with the factory supplied scope mounting rail on the receiver top and retains the original Lyman folding barrel sight with blade/bead front sight. Interestingly, this one has much better than standard wood and displays a nice, light fiddleback grain pattern throughout. No extra sling swivel holes etc., just a nice original and now very hard to find Ruger. $895.

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) 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.

2) HARRINGTON AND RICHARDSON OFFICERS MODEL TRAPDOOR .45-70 CALIBER SINGLE SHOT RIFLE. These were made the U.S. and whenever I get one of these I always say they are still a great bargain on the reproduction market today…when they can be found. Beautifully reproduced from the original Springfield Officers Model, the H&R has the correct fancy pewter tip, wiping rod, engraved lock, hammer, breech block, trigger guard, barrel band and butt plate. The forend and wrist are sharply checkered, all metal parts except the barrel and barrel band are nicely case colored and the rifle is fitted with a sporting tang sight with blade/bead front sight. In an early 1970s annual issue of Gun Digest, Ken Waters did an article on shooting the various .45-70 rifles that were available at the time and found the H&R Officers Model to be the most accurate! This one is in near new condition. These don't show up often any more. (3 photos) $1195.

3) SHILOH 1874 .45-70 THREE BAND MILITARY RIFLE WITH GREAT OPTIONS, MADE IN BIG TIMBER, MONTANA. As I have been a Shiloh dealer since the 1990s, I originally sold this special order rifle in 2007. It is still new and unfired! The Military Rifle is no longer cataloged and they rarely show up for sale on the used market. This example was special custom ordered with double set triggers (standard was single), hand selected walnut for dark color and nice grain, AA finish on the wood, polished barrel, polished and fire blued screws with brass escutcheons, patchbox, bone and charcoal pack hardened case colors and fitted with sling (marked “S. Isaac Campbell & Company, England”). A very special Shiloh in unfired condition that is no longer available, complete with inspection tag! $3750.

4) BALLARD RIFLE & CARTRIDGE, CODY, WYOMING MADE No. 4 FANCY SPORTING RIFLE IN .45-90, #C 8XX, MADE APPROX. 2002. I was one of the first and only dealers for the Ballard Rifles (and later Highwall Rifles) made in Cody, Wyoming. I still shoot two Ballards and one Highwall from that time. These are of the very highest of quality rifles. They advertised them at the time as not being “reproductions” of Ballards, but rather a “continuation” of the superb Ballards made by Marlin until 1891. This example is in like new condition and shows no use at all. It is a straight stocked rifle with shotgun butt. The wood is a fancy grade of fiddleback walnut beautifully fit and finished. The butt plate is checkered steel and case colored to match the deep and rich case color on the receiver and lever. The lever is of the ring type and, in my opinion, better looking than the “S” type lever that was also available (I have a similar No.4 in .45-90 that I ordered with the ring lever like this one.). This rifle sports a 32” heavy octagon barrel with a buckhorn rear sight and fully adjustable for windage globe front sight that will take apertures. It is also fitted with adjustable double set triggers and an Axtell vernier tang sight also adjustable for windage and elevation. The weight of this rifle is right at 12 lbs and would be right at home on the black powder silhouette range, 1000 yard long range or in the hunting fields! These almost never seem to come up for sale any more. This one is in a particularly desirable caliber and configuration! $3850.

5) BEAUTIFUL AND UNUSUAL CUSTOM C. SHARPS ARMS, BIG TIMBER, MONTANA MADE 1874 .45-70, 28” HALF OCTAGON SPORTER. I believe this is a special made rifle as the left side of the receiver has the company name and address stamped in a half circle motif with the serial number in the middle, “74-1500.” I assume this is the 1500^th Model 1874 they made. The wood is a non-standard nicely grained English Walnut. The straight grip butt stock has a cheek piece with accent line and checkered steel shotgun butt plate. The forend has the traditional pewter and both forend and wrist are beautifully sharply checkered. This rifle sports double set triggers and has a case colored breech block- first C. Sharps I’ve seen with this as all others have been left bright or “in the white.” It also has a “CSA” marked mid-range vernier tang sight adjustable for both windage and elevation plus a Hadley eye disc with different aperture peep diameters. The barrel is mounted with a full buckhorn Lawrence ladder rear sight mated with a blade front sight. Overall this one looks new and unfired. It weighs approx. 10 ½ lbs and would make a stunning hunting rifle! ( 3 photos) $2950.

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) $1395.

2) 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. Matching numbers on the cylinder, barrel and frame. Excellent diamond checkered grips, exc. bright bore and fine action. These would be too cost prohibitive to produce today! $950.

3) 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

4) 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.

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

1) EXTREMELY HARD TO FIND FIRST YEAR PRODUCTION “ANTIQUE” MODEL 1898 KRAG RIFLE, #122XXX, MADE 1898. This was the final style of the famed Krag and only those few first year rifles qualify as antique- below serial number 152670. Additionally, this unaltered rifle still retains the light but fully readable 1898 dated stock cartouche as well as the earlier Model 1896 rear sight. Dark walnut stock and handguard are excellent and have never been sanded or refinished. The wood shows very minimal handling. Barrel blue is intact and showing some thinning and age only, but retains good color. Receiver is aged gray/brown with good blue on the extractor. All markings are sharp and clear, bore is excellent and bright, and only the pinned front sight blade appears altered- easy to replace. Tight action and comes with military sling and still retains the steel oil bottle in the trap in the butt plate. These are really hard to come by especially with matching date stock cartouche. $1395.

2) COLT 1909 U.S. ARMY .45 COLT CALIBER REVOLVER (see above in Colt 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

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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