Standard Catalog of Military Firearms. Phillip Peterson
Box 829
Fond du Lac, WI 54936
920-922-1515
920-922-0737 FAX
Jim Rankin
Walther pistols & pre-war auto pistols
3615 Anderson Road
Coral Gables, FL 33134
305-446-1792
Orvel Reichert
World War II-era semi-automatic pistols
P.O. Box 67
Vader, WA 98593
360-245-3492
e-mail: [email protected]
Joe Schroeder
Steye/Mannlicher pistols
P.O. Box 406
Glenview, IL 60025
847-724-8816
847-657-6500
847-724-8831 FAX
John Stimson Jr.
High Standard pistols
540 W. 92nd St.
Indianapolis, IN 46260
317-831-2990
Simeon Stoddard
Swiss, Swedish, and Finnish rifles
P.O. Box 2283
Cody, WY 82414
Jim Supica
Smith & Wesson
P.O. Box 15351
Lenexa, KS 66285
913-492-3000
Nick Tilotta
Western Firearms Co.
Thompson submachine guns
P.O. Box 451
Grapevine, TX 76099
817-481-6616
817-251-5136 FAX
Denis Todd
M16s
239 Baltimore Pike
Springfield, PA 19064
610-543-7300
Michael Wamsher
World War I & II Weapons
17732 West 67th Street
Shawnee, KS 66217
913-631-0686
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the fourth edition of the Standard Catalog of Military Firearms. The cover names me as the editor, but I certainly can’t claim credit for total authorship. This book came to me as the completed third edition. I must give credit to the previous editor, who set the scope of this work.
I must also give thanks to the other contributors whose work appears within these covers for their insights about specialized fields of collecting. In most of these cases I have left their information intact. These individuals are the experts in their fields and they certainly know more than I do about their corner of the firearms collecting universe. Of course, much of the pricing has been changed to reflect recent trends. I have also retained many of the Snap Shots that are provided by noted firearms writers. These are interesting bits of history and individual impressions of some of the firearms found in this book.
Additional thanks to the auction houses, collectors and photographers that provided a majority of the pictures that are being re-printed in this edition.
And a final credit must be extended to my friend Dan Shideler, editor of the new editions of Standard Catalog of Firearms, Modern Gun Values, and several other books from Krause Publications. It was Dan who helped me get started in my writing “career” by suggesting I submit some columns for Gun List (now Gun Digest Magazine) when it added editorial content. A year later he informed me that a vacancy had arisen as editor of Standard Catalog of Military Firearms. Dan convinced the powers that be to give me a shot at this book. So here it is.
I hope you find it enjoyable, informative and helpful.
Phillip Peterson
0771 S. 500 East
Avilla, Indiana 46710
GRADING SYSTEM
In the opinion of the editor all grading systems are subjective. It is our task to offer the collector and dealer a measurement that most closely reflects a general consensus on condition. The system we present seems to come closest to describing a firearm in universal terms. We strongly recommend that the reader acquaint himself with this grading system before attempting to determine the correct price for a particular firearm’s condition. Remember, in most cases, condition determines price.
NIB—New in Box
This category can sometimes be misleading. It means that the firearm is in its original factory carton with all of the appropriate papers. It also means the firearm is new; that it has not been fired and has no wear. This classification brings a substantial premium for both the collector and shooter. The NIB category will not be included with most listings in SCMF as few military issue firearms can be found in NIB condition. The only exceptions are a few commercial versions of military firearms that are includ ed in the book because no genuine examples exist on the U.S. market.
Excellent
Collector quality firearms in this condition are highly desirable. The firearm must be in at least 98 percent condition with respect to blue wear, stock or grip finish, and bore. The firearm must also be in 100 percent original factory condition without refinishing, repair, alterations, or additions of any kind. Sights must be factory original as well. This grading classification includes both modern and antique (manufactured prior to 1898) firearms.
Very Good
Firearms in this category are also sought after both by the collector and shooter. Firearms must be in working order and retain approximately 92 percent metal and wood finish. It must be 100 percent factory original, but may have some small repairs, alterations, or non-factory additions. No refinishing is permitted in this category. Both modern and antique firearms are included in this classification.
Good
Modern firearms in this category may not be considered to be as collectable as the previous grades, but antique firearms are considered desirable. Modern firearms must retain at least 80 percent metal and wood finish, but may display evidence of old refinishing. Small repairs, alterations, or non-factory additions are sometimes encountered in this class. Factory replacement parts are permitted. The overall working condition of the firearm must be good as well as safe. The bore may exhibit wear or some corrosion, especially in antique arms. Antique firearms may be included in this category if their metal and wood finish is at least 50 percent original factory finish.
Fair
Firearms in this category should be in satisfactory working order and safe to shoot. The overall metal and wood finish on the modern firearm must be at least 30 percent and antique firearms must have at least some original finish or old re-finish remaining. Repairs, alterations, nonfactory additions, and recent refinishing would all place a firearm in this classification. However, the modern firearm must be in working condition, while the antique firearm may not function. In either case, the firearm must be considered safe to fire if in a working state.
Poor
Neither collectors nor shooters are