It's a sure shot collectors will want early shotguns

By Terry Maurer, What's it Worth

Choose your weapon -- that's the subject of today';s installment of What's It Worth.

Readers inquire about the history and value of an easy-to-identify American shotgun and a hard-to-identify decorative sword.

Q. This lever action Winchester shotgun belonged to my wife's stepfather and to his father before him. They lived in Texas and before I was given the gun, it stayed under his bed as a personal protection weapon. The markings say it is a Model 1887 and the serial number is 1560. Any way you can tell us when it was made and what it's worth?-- Art in Kennewick.

A. Winchester is one of the most famous names in firearms in the world. The company was started by Oliver Winchester in 1886 in New Haven, Conn.

This shotgun wasn't the first model sold by Winchester. Starting in 1879, they marketed an imported British double barrel gun. It was so successful the firm decided to manufacture its own shotgun.

In 1885, they purchased a patent for a lever action shotgun that had been designed by John Browning -- another to-be-famous American gunmaker.

Today, we consider a lever-action shotgun an unusual design. Back then, it was not only the first shotgun made by Winchester, it pre-dated the company's first pump (or slide) action shotgun -- the Model 1893 -- by a full five years.

Company records reveal that Winchester sold 65,000 Model 1887s from 1887 to 1901. The Model 1887 was phased out in the early 20th century.

Today's collectors find these early shotguns to be both desirable and valuable. And it's not just firearms collectors who want them The Model 1887 also is popular with folks involved in Old West reenactments and members of "Old West Shooters" groups.

This shotgun came in 12 gauge and 10 gauge versions and there was only one "grade" available, "standard," with plain walnut pistol grip stock and a plain forend.

Values depends on condition and this early serial number -- indicating it was made in the first few years of production -- may add some to the weapon's value. Collectors will take into consideration completeness and operability of the gun, as well as how much of the original bluing finish remains on the metal parts and condition of the wood stock.

In today's market a Model 1887 in excellent condition could sell for as much as $2,000.

Q. We know nothing about this sword except that it belonged to my uncle and he lived in Latrobe, Pa. The family immigrated from central Europe (Poland, we think). The uncle was an American citizen and served in World War II. Could this be a military sword or something else? Is it likely to be worth anything? The leather scabbard has been broken, but the sword seems to be in fairly good condition. -- Denny in Richland.

A. Your sword is a puzzler and I'll say right up front we haven't been able to identify it with any certainty. It appears to be the type of sword that was used in a fraternal organization or society.

However, it is completely unmarked as to maker or organization. There is a minor amount of floral decoration etched on the blade and our examination revealed that part of the hand guard has been broken off.

We can pretty well discount any chance that it was a military issue, either by the United States or a foreign nation. It is beyond rare to find any bladed weapon, firearm or other piece of military equipment that's entirely unmarked.

There is every possibility it was used as a ceremonial piece in a lodge or society. Collectors find many swords of that type, but they almost always carry either maker's marks or indications of the group. This piece gives us very few clues as to its "wheres, whens and whys"

Swords carried by members of fraternal or "secret" societies -- like the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Knights of Columbus -- are still used by those groups today.

There were ceremonial swords used by more 100 American-based organizations. These include such obscure groups as the Order of United American Mechanics, the Knights of St. Martin, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Catholic Total Abstinence Society. Many of these groups are no longer active. No wonder that, without clear markings, such pieces are hard to identify.

Fraternal and society swords sell for as much as $300 to $500. With the uncertain background of this piece and the damages, your sword would probably not bring more than $75.

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Sunday, Jul. 26, 2009

It's a sure shot collectors will want early shotguns

By Terry Maurer, What's it Worth