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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 or email 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 FRIDAY, 2/21/20. PLEASE DO NOT CALL DURING THIS TIME, BUT YOU CAN EMAIL ME. THANKS. BILL GOODMAN

MORE GUNS WERE POSTED ON 2/11/20. 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) SUPERB MODEL 1862, 3 ½ INCH ROUND BARREL "CONVERSION” REVOLVER IN DESIRABLE .38 CENTER FIRE CALIBER, #316XXX, C. LATE 1870s. These conversion revolvers made from frames and parts of left over percussion guns are some of Colt’s earliest cartridge arms. They are not only quite scarce because of very limited production, but extremely interesting with many variations. Because of the high serial number on this one, it was probably produced in the . last part of the 1870s. It has a full bright nickel plated finish of which most remains. There is only a small amount of limited peeling on the top of the barrel by the muzzle and a small spot an inch or so back along with some extremely minor edge wear. All serial numbers match and the cylinder shows a crisp and clear engraving scene. The frame, hammer, butt, grip straps, trigger guard etc. retain bright nickel with only a few very minor spots of peel. All excellent markings and screws. Tight action. One-piece walnut grips are excellent and still show quite a bit of the original finish. About ¾ of this model were made in .38 Rim Fire with only about a quarter of production made in Center Fire configuration. These were made on the 1849 frame and have the original “.31 CAL” stamping on the rear of the trigger guard over-stamped with an “8” to show “ .38 CAL.” There is extensive information on this model (as well as others) in the detailed book by R. Bruce McDowell A Study of Colt Conversions and Other Percussion Revolvers. About 10,000 of these were made, of which approx. 6500 were made from 1849 revolvers. Made without ejectors, these conversion Colts are among the most handsome firearms turned out. This is one of the finest examples I’ve seen. (4 photos) $2150.

2) ANTIQUE, BLACK POWDER FRAME SINGLE ACTION ARMY, .38-40, 4 ¾,” #162XXX, WITH FACTORY LETTER, SHIPPED 1895. This is a nice, unaltered and uncleaned SAA that recently came out of Arizona. All metal surfaces are a very attractive aged brown with some blue in the more protected areas of the ejector housing and barrel juncture and on the barrel by the frame. There is also some blue on the upper back strap. Excellent markings including the correct two line barrel address, excellent screws, tight action, exc. bore. The grips are numbered to the gun and show wear, but aside from the tiniest of chips at the bottom rear of the left panel are basically sound. The front sight has a small ding near the top but is unaltered. The factory letter states that this revolver was shipped on Sept. 19, 1895 to Simmons Hardware Company, St Louis, Missouri. Very attractive example. $2950.

3) FINE SINGLE ACTION ARMY .44-40, 5 ½” BARREL, #327XXX, MADE 1913, WITH INTERESTING FACTORY LETTER. Aside from being in particularly nice condition, the Colt letter on this one states that it was shipped to Bond and Bours Co., Jacksonville, Florida, November, 18, 1913 as a one gun shipment. The letter also confirms caliber, barrel length etc. In 1913 Florida was pretty much a wilderness with not much activity besides citrus groves. Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville etc. were little more than small towns until after the W.W.II. I don’t recall seeing another SAA shipped to Florida during this time. Matching serial numbers. The barrel has excellent markings including the one line address on top plus the famed “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” stamping on the left side and retains nearly all the deep blue with only some thinning toward the muzzle . The front sight has not been altered. The ejector housing shows blue wear to the outside edge (holster wear) with the balance deep blue. The frame case colors have faded to a soft mottled gray with excellent markings and some small traces of color in the most protected areas. Screws and base pin are excellent, cylinder retains most of the blue with light thinning only. The hammer fits perfectly, but has the knurling is of the earlier pre-1906 style- it is widely known that Colt never wasted a part, so it is possible this was a left over hammer. Grip straps and trigger guard are mostly gray with some good blue on the butt and protected areas around the trigger guard bow. Fine grips with a small crack on the left bottom front corner that could easily be reinforced with some epoxy- minor. Has a few very small spots of light pitting on the lower right side of the frame/trigger guard- all very minor and typical of any gun kept near the ocean! Tight action, perfect bright bore. Fine appearance, interesting letter and great caliber. (4 photos) $3200.

4) EXCELLENT 2ND GENERATION SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45 COLT CALIBER, 5 1/2" BARREL, #26XXXSA, MADE 1959. Very nice example of an early 2nd. generation SAA that has seen light use only. Almost all the remains only the usual touch of gray at the muzzle on the left side and some slight wear to the front of the ejector housing and minor edge wear. Nice bright case color, exc. action, exc. matching number grips with one hairline crack on the right panel at the bottom that is hard to see, exc. bore. A good 61 year old Single Action in nice enough condition to be a good investment, but not so mint that you'd be afraid to shoot it. (4 photos) $2150.

5) BISLEY IN .32-20 WITH 4 ¾” BARREL, #298XXX, MADE 1907. This is a really classic example of a frontier revolver that was used and carried, but not abused or neglected. There is still some small amounts of aged blue in the most protected areas like the cylinder flutes and ejector housing flutes etc. but mainly it is an aged gray/brown that shows no signs of cleaning or steel-wooling. The screws are excellent and the markings are all fine including the “BISLEY MODEL” and two line barrel address. The cylinder pin appears to be an old replacement as is the ejector head. Front sight has not been filed or altered. Bore will brush out excellent, grips show considerable honest wear but are solid. There is actually holster wear at the muzzle on the left side- it takes a lot of holster carry to cause this! Fine action and good lock-up with only the first “click” of the hammer weak. Matching numbers. Lots of character in this Old West Bisley! (4 photos) $1795.

6) ONE OF THE RAREST COLTS I’VE OFFERED IS THIS 1878 DOUBLE ACTION IN .476 CALIBER, WITH 5 ½” BARREL, NICKEL FINISH, PALL MALL, LONDON BARREL ADDRESS, #16XXX, MADE 1886! According to the excellent book COLT’S DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER MODEL OF 1878 by Wilkerson, only 344 revolvers like this were made. (I highly recommend this book as it has a wealth of info on all calibers, barrel lengths, finishes, English models etc.). I assume all were shipped to England with very few either returning to the U.S. or surviving at all. According to Wilkerson, many or most of these were shipped to England first and then further shipped to India, Australia and New Zealand. There can’t be more than a hand full of these in existence. This one retains most of the nickel on the barrel, ejector and frame with only normal small areas of peeling- mainly on some edges and on the front strap. The nickel on the cylinder seems to have peeled more heavily and now only has scattered nickel. The barrel has British proofs on the bottom just ahead of the cylinder pin (which is in excellent condition) and behind each cylinder flute. Action is very tight and functions perfectly, bore is excellent and bright with no pitting, “476 CAL” is clearly stamped on the left front of the trigger guard bow, lanyard swivel is intact and the front sight has not been altered. This is about as rare a Colt as one could hope to obtain. (4 photos) $2950.

7) ARMY SPECIAL IN DESIRABLE .32-20 CALIBER WITH 6” BARREL, #489XXX, MADE 1923. This example has seen some honest field use, but is still respectable. Shows most of the blue, but has typical holster/handling wear/freckling that is more blue/brown than worn to silver or gray. There is some of this on the bottom of the trigger guard, back strap, right frame side where a holster safety strap rubbed and the high edges and top strap. Nothing unsightly, but it is there. Front sight has not been altered, still retains fine high polish blue on the barrel and cylinder etc. Nice fire blue on the hammer back and trigger sides. Correct fine hard rubber grips. And best of all the bore is bright and excellent with an action that locks up as tight as it did when this Colt was new 96 years ago! Excellent markings including the rampant colt on the receiver and barrel address and patent dates correctly ending in 1905. All of these pre-war double action .32-20s are becoming hard to find. $650.

8) SUPERB CONDITION AND EXTREMELY HARD VARIATION TO FIND COBRA IN .22 LONG RIFLE CALIBER WITH 3 INCH BARREL, #109XXX LW, MADE 1961. These revolvers were made in very limited numbers before being discontinued. Those that surface often show a lot of carry and shooting wear as the ammo was cheap and being a lightweight small frame revolver, made a great “kit” or trail gun. This example is in about new condition and shows no carry or handling wear. It retains nearly all the blue on the cylinder face, indicating it was shot very little if at all. There is no cylinder drag line. All it needs is a box! Many collectors have never even seen one of these. $1495.

9) A REALLY BEAUTIFUL LITTLE 1908 RARE NICKEL FINISH .25 ACP VEST POCKET AUTO, #295XXX, MADE 1921. This sharp diminutive auto retains about all the nickel finish with only a tiny bit of peel at the extreme front left edge at the muzzle. All markings are sharp and clear including the rampant colt on the left rear of the slide. Two-tone magazine is marked on the bottom “CAL. 25 COLT.” Excellent, tight action with both the lever safety and grip safety functioning perfectly. Exc. Colt hard rubber grips. A classy little special order nickel finished pocket auto from the Roaring Twenties Era in great condition! $895.

10) ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREATEST TARGET PISTOLS EVER PRODUCED IS THIS SUPERB QUALITY 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! $995.

11) WORLD WAR II GOVERNMENT PURCHASE OFFICIAL POLICE .38 SPECIAL REVOLVER (see below in U.S. Military and Springfield section)

MARLIN (click text for photos).

1) 1889 .32-20 ROUND BARREL RIFLE, #88XXX, MADE 1893. Aside from the 34 rifles made in .25-20 caliber, the .32-20 with only 15,441 manufactured was made in fewer numbers than the .38-40 and .44-40. This example retains good aged and thinning blue on the barrel and upper protected portion of the mag tube, the receiver shows very aged and thinned blue mixing mainly brown with some better blue in the protected areas and on the loading gate, fine wood with one small oval wood-fill spot on the right side of the wrist by the upper tang- old and darkened. Tight action with only the half-cock weak. Bore is fine but a little dark with strong rifling throughout and any roughness is minor- could use a good brushing out. Buckhorn rear sight appears to be a replacement and needs the elevator bar only, small brass blade/bead front sight. Exc. markings and nice appearance overall. 126 years old! $1150.

2) SPECIAL ORDER MODEL 1893 SPORTING RIFLE WITH 26” HALF OCTAGON BARREL, HALF MAGAZINE, .30-30 CALIBER AND CRESCENT BUTT PLATE, #200XXX, MADE 1900. This is a fairly scarce configuration not often seen. The barrel and magazine retain nearly all the deep factory blue with only some plum mixing on the bottom of the mag tube. The barrel shows exc. markings and is fitted with a buckhorn rear sight with a long blade and long copper bead front sight marked “Wectsite” which I am not familiar with. The receiver is silvered with nice blue on the loading gate. Walnut stock and forend generally excellent with good wood to metal fit and only minor handling marks. The bore is bright and minty! $1295.

3) ONLY MADE ONE YEAR! MODEL 1936 SPORTING CARBINE, .30-30 CALIBER. This model was begun late in 1936 and in 1937 the model designation was changed to Model 36. Some early M-1936s had flat hammer springs with the later ones having coil springs- those with the coil spring have a “B” prefix t the serial number. This one has the updated coil spring and is serial number B 5XXX. The 1936 was made in a 24” rifle version a 20” carbine version with full magazine and barrel bands etc. and a Sporting Carbine with 20” barrel, rifle style steel forend cap, no barrel bands and a 20” barrel with the ramp front sight dovetailed into the barrel (this is correct for this model). The Sporting Carbine seems less often encountered than the rifle version and all Model 1936 marked Marlins are seldom seen. This one has fine lightly faded case colors on the receiver, exc. blue on the barrel, magazine and forend cap, exc. bore and tight action. The stock is generally excellent with only light handling marks. There are a few more handling marks on the right side of the forend from normal usage. Correct buckhorn and ramped front sights. Correct hard rubber butt plate and Marlin Safety markings on the receiver top. One of the more scarce Marlin deer-caliber rifles made during the height of the Great Depression when sales were slow and production limited. (5 photos) $1295.

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) MODEL 1894S .44 SPECIAL/.44 MAGNUM 20" CARBINE, #11104XXX, COMPLETE WITH WEAVER 1.5-3X SCOPE, MADE 1989. This one with nicely grained walnut is in near new condition. Exc. blue overall and exc. optics in the scope which is mounted in Weaver base and rings. Complete with flip up lens caps. The barrel sights have not been removed. With the turn of two large knurled screws on the rings, the scope is easily removed or replaced in seconds. $895.

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

1) MINTY CONDITION TINY HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON VEST POCKET SAFETY HAMMER REVOLVER, CALIBER .32 S&W CENTER FIRE WITH 1 1/8” ROUND BARREL, MADE 1905-1918. According to the excellent book H&R Arms Company 1871-1986 by W. E. “Bill” Goforth, the Vest Pocket Safety Hammerless revolvers were made from 1905-1941. Because this example lacks the marking “MADE IN U.S.A.” indicates it was made before 1918. This little revolver is in amazing condition retaining about all the original bright nickel finish with only a tiny dot or two of freckling on the right side of the frame and also retains about all the blue on the trigger guard. Correctly marked "Vest Pocket" and "Safety Hammer" on top strap. Excellent screws, action and hard rubber grips. It would be nearly impossible to find a better example! $475.

2) PARTICULARLY NICE CONDITION EARLY SAVAGE 1899B 26” OCTAGON RIFLE IN STANDARD .303 SAVAGE CALIBER, #95XXX, MADE 1909. It is getting very difficult to find Pre-World War I Savage rifles in any condition. The octagon version is especially elusive. This is one of the better ones I’ve seen in a long time. The barrel retains nearly all the deep blue and has excellent markings including the “SAVAGE HI-PRESSURE STEEL” over “MODEL 1899” stamping and barrel address etc. The receiver also shows most of the original high polish blue including the upper tang with only some thinning on the receiver ring and bottom forward “balance point” where there is silver mixing on the bottom edge and silver on the bottom forward portion. The butt stock and forearm show only light handling marks with tight wood to metal fit and only one small, typical hairline stress-crack coming back from the upper left receiver edge back for about an inch. Original buckhorn and blade/bead front sights. Excellent sharp bore. A really attractive and scarce early octagon ’99. $1295.

3) CLASSIC UNALTERED PARKER VH GRADE 12 GAUGE DOUBLE, STEEL BARRELS, #104XXX, MADE 1901. It's really difficult to find guns like this in their unaltered state as most seem to have had recoil pads added, repaired/refinished stocks, barrels cut etc. etc. This one still retains the original hard rubber "dog head" Parker butt plate. The 30" barrels are full choked, are not dented and have bright and shiny excellent bores. The stock is solid, has not been refinished and retains nice checkering at the wrist. The forend is also solid with beautifully inletted steel cap and forend release lever. The receiver is an uncleaned dark gray with excellent markings and border engraving. The barrels show fine aged blue with plum/brown mixing. The rib is correctly marked with the typical Parker markings and "Vulcan Steel." The lock up is as tight as the day it left the Parker factory. Truly a lovely, classic Parker in cared-for condition. A double of this quality today would cost a multiple of this price. (3 photos) $1495.

MODERN AND CUSTOM CLASSIC FIREARMS (click text for photos)

(ARRIVING SOON)

REMINGTON (click text for photos)

1) FRONTIER USED No. 1 ROLLING BLOCK MID-RANGE OR FANCY SPORTING RIFLE IN .40-70 BN CALIBER, 30” HALF OCTAGON BARREL, CHECKERED PISTOL GRIP AND SHOTGUN BUTT, #4XXX, MADE APPROX. LATE 1870s. This rifle fits the description of a Mid-Range Target rifle or could have simply been ordered as a fancy sporter. It shows a good deal of Western use, but is basically solid and all original. The metal surfaces are an even dark brown patina with some scattered very old dings and scratches to the barrel and octagon receiver top. Good Remington markings on the barrel top and “40 70” on the bottom ahead of the metal forend tip. Under the forend is the matching serial number plus “PG” indicating this rifle was shipped with a pistol grip stock. There is also a “V W” stamping indicating it was supplied with a vernier tang sight and windage front sight which are now missing. Very possibly this was an eastern target rifle that came West and used as a sporter/hunting rifle during the buffalo days. It has a Remington style very small buckhorn rear sight with blade front sight. Patent markings on the left side of the receiver are fine. Tang has old filler screws where the tang sight was once mounted. Fine original forend shows light wear only with no cracks or chips. Pistol grip checkering worn, but all visible and good. Pistol grip gracefully curved bottom retains the fancy factory ebony wedge inlay, smooth steel shotgun butt plate. Butt stock shows some handling and wear. Tight action with solid half-cock safety notch. Bore shows some wear, but is surprisingly fine and only needs a good scrubbing/brushing as it has good rifling throughout with some possible corrosion ahead of the chamber and scattered surface roughness- fairly minor. This one came out of the North Dakota/Eastern Montana area. A scarce rifle with lots of character. $2150.

2) MODEL 1902 ROLLING BLOCK SADDLE RING CARBINE, 7MM MAUSER CALIBER. This one still retains a god part of the worn Uruguay round stock cartouche located just behind the correctly side mounted sling swivel on the right side of the stock. These were shipped to Uruguay around 1903 and most saw very hard usage. This is one of the better examples I’ve seen as it retains the original rear sight and handguard. The overall metal is mostly a smooth gray and not showing the heavy pitting often seen on these. Markings on the upper tang are very sharp as is the “CAL 7 M M” barrel stamping. There is also a number “1868” stamped on the barrel top which I assume is some sort of rack or inventory number. The action is very tight and it has a surprisingly excellent bore! There is a very thin, hairline crack in the handguard coming from both sides the rear sight that is negligible and does not hurt the integrity of the handguard. The rest of the stock and handguard show only normal handling with one similar hairline stress crack that is barely visible coming back for a couple of inches from the upper left rear of the upper tang- again negligible. Retains the correct swivels, sights and 20” barrel. Nice example of a not common variation late Rolling Block. $795.

3) REMINGTON/SPRINGFIELD 03 A3 (see below in U.S. Military and Springfield section)

4) MODEL 1867 U.S. NAVY ROLLING BLOCK CARBINE (see below in U.S. Military and Springfield section)

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).

(ARRIVING SOON)

SMITH AND WESSON (click text for photos)

1) VERY RARE BLUE FINISH/SMOOTH WALNUT GRIP “BABY RUSSIAN” MODEL ALSO KNOWN AS THE .38 SINGLE ACTION FIRST MODEL, #9XXX, ONLY MADE 1876-1877. This is really a great condition example. Most of this model were made in nickel finish with hard rubber grips. Blued examples with wood grips are seldom encountered. .38 S&W Center Fire caliber, five shot. This one shows fine original blue overall with only some plum/brown mixing mainly on the cylinder and barrel from age only and even the grip straps show good blue. Excellent smooth walnut grips fit perfectly and are numbered to the gun. All matching serial numbers, exc. screws, tight cylinder lock-up with hammer seeming to take a little extra backward force to hit full cock with half-cock a little weak. Nice vivid case colors on the hammer, fine barrel markings, bright exc. bore. All Baby Russians are fairly scarce with blued examples rare and any Baby Russian in this kind of condition is very hard to come by. $1650.

2) UNALTERED, HIGH CONDITION .455 MARK II, HAND EJECTOR 2^ND MODEL REVOLVER, #61XXX, MADE 1915-1917. This is one of the best of these I’ve seen in a long while. It seems most of these have been converted to either .45 Colt or .45 Auto Rim cartridges. It is easy to spot one of these as the face of the cylinder would have been altered and no longer reveal the serial number. The chambers would also have been lengthened for the .45 Colt version. This example is still in .455 caliber and has all matching numbers on the barrel, frame and cylinder. The deep-dish S&W medallion diamond checkered grips are not numbered, but fit perfectly and are no doubt original. 59,150 of this model were manufactured for English service and 14,500 were manufactured for Canadian service. This one shows both British proofs and Canadian proof marks. These small marks are located only on the left rear side of the frame above the grips and one small “crossed flags” stamping on the forward left frame just behind the barrel and on the rear face of the cylinder. Overall, this revolver displays most of the original high polish blue with only some freckling on the back strap, a little thinning on the front strap and some very minor thinning on the right side of the frame around the S&W logo. Grips are excellent, lanyard swivel intact, still some good case color on the trigger and hammer, tight action and minty bright bore. $1295.

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 EARLY 5-SCREW MODEL 1950, PRE-22, .45 ACP (OR .45 AUTO RIM) CALIBER, 5 1/2" FIXED SIGHT REVOLVER, #S 86XXX, MADE 1952-1953. Only 3,976 of these were made between 1951-1966. Serial numbers began at the S 85000 range, making this a very early example. In 1956 the upper sideplate screw was eliminated (making all after this date 4-screw models). Obviously, the 5-screw variation was made for only the first 5 years of production in very limited quantities. This is a very fine example with all matching numbers including inside the diamond checkered grips. Retains nearly all the original blue with only minor edge wear and a slight bit of ageing to the blue on the back strap and front strap- minor plum mixing. Excellent markings including the “45 CAL MODEL 1950” on the right side of the barrel. Tight action, exc. bright bore, exc. grips, rich case color on the hammer and trigger. Much less common than the also scarce pre-war Model 1917 commercial model. $2450.

5) SELDOM ENCOUNTERED ALUMINUM CYLINDER PRE-37 CHIEF SPECIAL AIRWEIGHT REVOLVER WITH ORIGINAL AND VERY RARE SQUARE BUTT FRAME, #28XXX, MADE IN 1952-1954. Only 3,777 of these small “J” frame revolvers were made with aluminum cylinders and of this number only 900 were produced with square butt. Many, if not most, of these .38 Special “Mid-Range” chambered revolvers has their cylinders replaced with safer steel cylinders. Today, it is considered unsafe to fire one of these that still retains the original aluminum cylinder! Example with matching aluminum cylinder would be considered a true S&W rarity. An original square butt This example has matching numbers on the barrel, frame and cylinder. It was finished in a kind of black finish that stuck to the aluminum almost like paint because normal blue only works on steel. This aluminum blacking tends to chip and peel easily. This revolver shows most of the black with only light scattered speckling mainly on the edges and bottom of the trigger guard from handling/holster carry. There are excellent case colors on the trigger and hammer. The bore is bright and mechanically it is excellent. The diamond checkered grips fit well and are correct, but not numbered to this revolver. It has the correct flat latch, pinned barrel and four-screw frame. An almost never seen variation. $975.

6) 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) $1195.

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

1) ONE OF THE MOST HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT AND RAREST OF THE REMINGTON ROLLING BLOCKS IS THIS AUTHENTIC MODEL 1867 U.S. NAVY ISSUE CARBINE IN CALIBER .50-45. There is a wealth of information on this model in the excellent relatively new book Remington Rolling Block Military Rifles of the World by George Layman. In the chapter on U.S. issue rolling blocks he has a lengthy section on the Model 1867 U.S. Navy Carbine. He states that this model was the first new longarm adopted by the U. S. after the Civil War. He further states that the U.S. Navy purchased 5,000 of these unique carbines that were delivered to the New York Navy Yard between 1868-1869. They were issued to several ships including the U.S.S. Colorado of the Pacific Squadron which saw action on Kanghwa Island near modern Inchon in Korea. Later, in 1879 the navy decided to dispose of their Model 1867 Carbines and sold them off to a couple of dealers as surplus. From this point on, many were converted to different calibers etc. and sold to Latin American countries. Some were also converted to .45-70 and sold to the state of South Carolina. The end result is that for collectors today, Layman says that an unaltered Model 1867 U.S. Navy Carbine is extremely rare. To make matters worse, a number of removed barrels and forends from original converted carbines found there way to Dixie Gun Works in the 1950s. As one might expect, these barrels and forends were put on typical foreign rolling block carbines to make U.S. Navy carbines. So basically, if you find what looks like an original 1867 probably is a fake! The good news is that the original Model 1867 U.S. Navy Carbine has features that cannot be faked. Here’s a few: The bottom of the breech block is concave in shape and has a bottom mounted stud extractor. Almost all fakes have the later post-1870 action that has a flat bottom breech block and side mounted extractor. There is also NO left side extractor retaining screw visible on the outside of the action. The Model 1867 also has NO sling ring and bar. Instead, it has a butt swivel and a front swivel mounted on the barrel retaining band. There is a small anchor stamping on the top rear of the 23 1/4" barrel along with a serial number on the left rear of the barrel almost hidden by the forend. The right side of the receiver is stamped “P” over “F.C.W.he rear sighting notch of the folded-down ladder sight appears to have been filed down slightly. One would have to look hard to even notice this. All markings are sharp, correct and clear. The cartouche on the fore” over an anchor. This model also has a small cartouche on the right side of the forend ahead of the receiver. Photos and descriptions of these attributes are all in Layman’s book. This example is correct in every way. Only the cartouche on the forearm is faint, but there. Metal surfaces are a deep aged brown/gray. Sights are original and correct. The stock and forend show use and handling, but are solid. There is a small age/stress crack coming back from the bottom tang for an inch and goes nowhere- minor. The correct Remington patent and address markings on the upper tang are also clearly stamped. Both correct sling swivels are intact. The action is tight and the bore retains fine rifling throughout and only light scattered surface roughness that ought to scrub out better. This is the first authentic Model 1867 I’ve seen. Even the most complete U.S. Military Rolling Block or U.S. Navy collection almost always lacks this incredibly rare model! $3650.

2) BEAUTIFUL CONDITION SPRINGFIELD/REMINGTON MODEL ’03-A3, #3389XXX, WITH EARLY BARREL DATE OF 5 43 (MAY 1943). The first Remington 03-A3s were shipped in December of 1942 with the last in February of 1944. This example still has the early four-groove rifling while later production had two-groove. This one shows almost no use. It has only a few handling/storage marks in the wood and retains a light but legible FJA etc. cartouche in the left side of the stock and some typical rack/identification numbers lightly stamped into the right side of the butt stock. It also retains nearly all the original metal finish along with a bright exc. bore. One of the last of the great Model 1903 .30-06 Springfields. A cleaner example would be hard to find. $1175.

3) MINTY CONDITION WORLD WAR II ISSUE COLT OFFICIAL POLICE .38 SPECIAL, 4” BARREL, #691979. This is a beautiful example of the rare “flaming bomb” stamped double action Official Police revolver as purchased by the U.S. Government during the early years of the Second World War. Charles W. Pate’s detailed book U.S. Handguns of World War II goes into some interesting detail on these scarce Colts. There is one photographed in the chapter on the Official Police very similar to this one with a serial number in the 721XXX range that was shipped to the Springfield Armory on 11/14/42. Of the few of these I’ve seen over the years, this has to be about the best. It appears unfired and retains nearly all the blue on the front of the cylinder. It also shows all the fire blue on the checkered trigger and back of the hammer. There is only a hint of a cylinder drag line. The checkered walnut grips are also excellent. There is only some slight dulling to some of the blue on the back strap that you have to look closely to see. Flaming bomb correctly stamped on the frame above the cylinder latch. This highly finished commercial-blue revolver was the predecessor to the military finish Commando revolvers. These are seldom encountered U.S. Military arms, especially in this high state of condition. $1295.

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 heavy field load of 3 1/2 drams equals about 95 grains (by volume) 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 CLEAR NON-FOAMING Gorilla 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 (note: this is the best glue I've tried, but do NOT use the brown foaming Gorilla glue as it pushes the wad up when dry and is awful to correct!). 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! Recently 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