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closeSunday, Mar. 09, 2008
Good shot at getting green with gun
By Terry Maurer, What's it Worth?
Q. I have a World War II, Winchester, Model 1897, 12 gauge, trench warfare shotgun. It is martially and government marked on the barrel, has U.S. stamped on the receiver, and the stock is martially marked with inspector's initials. It is complete (no missing parts). It is original. Above average condition -- 80 percent bluing finish, stocks are not cracked or dented. What can you tell me about it? -- Bob in Richland
A. Yours is a classic shotgun made by an iconic firm. Winchester's Model 1897 was one of the most popular guns ever produced. While this pump shotgun actually may be from the World War II period, that would make it quite late in the production run, which was from 1897 to about 1957. More than a million were made.
Primarily produced as a sporting weapon, the United States military used a short-barreled version known variously as the "trench" or "riot" shotgun. It was developed into a version issued to U.S. troops during World War I, and was modified by adding an adapter for affixing a bayonet.
Unlike most modern pump-action shotguns, the Winchester Model 1897 fired each time the action closed with the trigger depressed (that is, it lacks a trigger disconnect mechanism). That, and its six-shot capacity, made it extremely effective for close combat, so much so that World War I troops called it a "trench sweeper." The 1897 was issued in limited numbers during World War II by the Army and Marine Corps.
Today, a gun like yours in excellent condition will retail for about $1,000.
Q. I have white Syracuse China service, "Econo-Rim 11 W Trademark," that belonged to my momma. My older brothers say they remember it being on the kitchen table many years ago in the early 1940s when they were children. Where do I find information or what's the current value? -- Eloise in Kennewick
A. New York-based Syracuse China is one of America's best-known manufacturers, established in 1871 and first called the Onondaga Pottery. Even though they were a big producer, limited amounts of these dishes come on to the collector's market because this is one of Syracuse's commercial restaurant, railroad, hotel and school products. It was chip-resistant and durable and thus popular for such "hard knocks" applications.
"Econo-Rim" refers to the shape of the pieces and the line still is available today from restaurant supply houses. The original Econo-Rim series (each piece will be marked with those words and other coding on the back) was made from about 1933-67. It came in tan and white and probably a few other basic colors.
We contacted Replacements, Ltd. in Greensboro, North Carolina and asked about market values. The firm is America's largest supplier of replacement pieces for china services, crystal glassware and Sterling and silverplated flatware.
They buy and sell across the nation and normally have millions of pieces of various dinnerware patterns in stock. Replacements would buy your Econo-Rim -- if it is in perfect condition -- but the values are not high. Their vendor's price for a dinner plate is $10. We also have seen dinner plates listed by online sellers for $10, so that seems to be the market value.
Canadian pottery revisited
Last month we responded to a reader's question about her small blue pottery vase that was made in Ontario by the Smith Potteries. Finding very little information on the company, which had been active in the town of Oshawa, we asked other readers if they knew anything about the firm.
We've received an e-mail from an online What's It Worth reader in Canada. Philip Hulaj is working on a book about Smith Potteries and had this to add, "There is not much information available on this pottery company. I have a few references from older business directories and a 1927 article in the Oshawa Daily Reformer newspaper.
"It seems Smith Potteries was in business from 1925-47. The proprietor, Herbert Smith, learned his trade in England -- which is why there is a similarity to English pottery of that period. They also sold sporting goods at the same location as well as ran a gasoline and oil station. They figured it would help advertise their wares to tourists stopping for gas.
"Smith employed from a dozen to 20 workmen at various months in the year making a wide variety of items -- i.e. ash trays, vases, flower and fruit bowls, candle sticks, bulb bowls, table lamps, cigarette jars and powder boxes. It was whiteware pottery but a semi-porcelain character; much better quality than the imports. All were done by hand with all designing and mould making also done in Oshawa. Some of these designs are art deco while others are contemporary."
w Read more of Terry's What's it Worth columns at www.tri-city herald.com/lifestyles/antiques
w Terry Maurer, a Tri-Cities personal property appraiser and antiques dealer, is a member of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America. You may submit your antiques and collectible questions to What's It Worth by e-mail to whatsitworth@clearwire.net
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