Steve's Guns Pt 1 - Antique Long

[Miduzu]

Hi Everybody,

First time posting to a gun forum and there may be some etiquette I'm not aware of, so if I mistep please let me know and I'll remember for the future.

About a month ago my father Steve, the most kick-ass father in the world, passed away from COVID complications. He got me my first rifle when I was 5 and we plinked, shot in competitions, and built AKs and cannons together for pretty much my whole life. He was awesome and I miss him terribly.

He left me his gun collection which is pretty vast. Some of this stuff I already know what it is and how to value it, some of it is sentimental to me and I want to hang on to it, but quite a lot of it is out of my wheelhouse and areas of interest, and since this is my inheritance I am trying to get a sense of what all is here, what it's worth, what pieces stand out as being cool or unique and which don't (I dunno, were included in auction lots or bought for parts), and from there I can start finding good homes for some of the pieces that I don't have room for.

So to that end, I wanted to start a few threads to see if any generous internet strangers would give me some feedback on what these items are, their condition, anything I ought to know about them, ballpark guesstimates of what they're worth etc. Also, he just had some really cool stuff that I think folks will enjoy seeing. Anybody who's willing to reply, thank you in advance for your time, I really appreciate it.

For Part 1 - Antique Log Guns - there aren't vary many of these and I know virtually nothing about them so this seemed like a good place to start. He kept notes about each piece, so I've included them below - links are to private imgur albums for each.

Piece: A1
Model: rolling block
Manufacturer / Importer: Remington
Caliber: 50/70
Comments: tinned finish on metal. No serial #, crown on barrel bands, VG+, accurate
Images: https://imgur.com/a/4OeKEcX

Piece: A2
Model: rolling block
Manufacturer / Importer: Carl Gustavus? Sweden
Caliber: 45/70
Comments: rebarreled on Sweidh 1893? action. Have Lee shaver modified rear & fron sight. Needs strengthened hammer spring
Images: https://imgur.com/a/iFRoddB

Piece: A3
Model: Mauser 71/84
Manufacturer / Importer: No import, Spandau Germany
Caliber: 43 Mauser
Comments: VG+, needs replace part to open tube slide, great shooter
Images: https://imgur.com/a/pdexMqd

Piece: A4
Model: Mauser 71/84
Manufacturer / Importer: No import, Spandau Germany
Caliber: 43 Mauser
Comments: Poor, needs work to get bolt to stay in. Navy Arms import
Images: https://imgur.com/a/dJoDVck

Piece: A5
Model: Swedish rolling block 1893
Manufacturer / Importer: Sweden, C
Caliber: 8x58R Danish Krag
Comments: VG, sporterized. Has Marble tang, barrel 24380
Images: https://imgur.com/a/6F5ORp5

Piece: A6
Model: Swedish rolling block 1893
Manufacturer / Importer: Sweden IAB
Caliber: 8x58R Danish Krag
Comments: VG+, full military, has bayo
Images: https://imgur.com/a/wyhZMJd

Piece: A7
Model: Military rolling block
Manufacturer / Importer: Remington
Caliber: 43 Spanish?
Comments: G, for old, check front band. Did cerrosafe cast and matched 43 Spanish
Images: https://imgur.com/a/azQYD3D

Piece: A8
Model: 1893 Mauser
Manufacturer / Importer: no import, Turkey
Caliber: 8mm Mauser
Comments: Poor, never fired, Check bore & headspace before firing
Images: https://imgur.com/a/tx60Aee

Piece: A9
Model: Artillery carbine
Manufacturer / Importer: Sweden IAB
Caliber: 50/70
Comments: Was parts. Converted by Lee Shaver to 50/70. Cool but can't hit anything
Images: https://imgur.com/a/pMj1ljk

Piece: A10
Model: Martini falling block
Manufacturer / Importer: Enfield
Caliber: .303
Comments: Right: V.R. Enfield 1881 III. I. Left: V.R Enfield 1896 M.E. 303 I.
Images: https://imgur.com/a/Ewtqnsa

Piece: A11
Model: Trapdoor
Manufacturer / Importer: Springfield
Caliber: 45/70
Comments: G shoots okay
Images: https://imgur.com/a/jrpQhVb

Piece: A12
Model: Model 1868 Trapdoor
Manufacturer / Importer: Springfield
Caliber: 50/70
Comments: G+, shoots okay
Images: https://imgur.com/a/cjlIqOV

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Sorry for your loss, your dad sounded like a great guy. Its good that he was so organized, we get a lot of posts along the lines of "Just inherited this pile of unknown guns......."

Most of these are single shots designed for (or chambered in) obsolete, hard to get, black powder cartridges. There are some exceptions such as the 8mm Mauser and .303 Martini which are modern(ish) smokeless calibers, and somewhat obtainable. .45-70 is commonly available, but you would want special low-powered "cowboy" loaded .45-70 for those guns.

Except for the Trapdoors, which being US militaria have a fairly strong following, the market for the rest is a bit narrow, and none is super valuable- think $300-500, a bit more for A6 which is a super nice specimen. The Trapdoors are likely in the $700-900 range.

Still, some cool peices there, thanks for sharing. Cant wait to see the rest and welcome to the forum!

 

[Miduzu]

Thank you for your reply Lord Curze! This is really helpful.

My Dad was an avid reloader, so he never shied away from weird or old stuff - he could find brass and molds for anything eventually and if he wanted to shoot a rifle he didn't trust to handle much pressure he could always use loads he was confident wouldn't give him a bad day.

Thanks for taking the time, I'm glad it was cool to look at. Still to come, piles and piles of WW1 and WW2 rifles, all kinds of AK Builds, old pistols, new pistols, and a handful of assorted modern long guns, so lots to see!

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Sorry for your loss.
A8 is a 1893 Turkish Mauser that was built in Germany and later reworked by the Turks. It originally had a magazine cutoff and a straight wrist stock. Yours has had the magazine cutoff removed and has an updated stock.
They sell between $200 and $300 now days. I started buying them when they sold from $60 to $100.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Thank you for your reply Lord Curze! This is really helpful.

My Dad was an avid reloader, so he never shied away from weird or old stuff - he could find brass and molds for anything eventually and if he wanted to shoot a rifle he didn't trust to handle much pressure he could always use loads he was confident wouldn't give him a bad day.

Thanks for taking the time, I'm glad it was cool to look at. Still to come, piles and piles of WW1 and WW2 rifles, all kinds of AK Builds, old pistols, new pistols, and a handful of assorted modern long guns, so lots to see!

Ahh, by the Nine, a fellow heretic.....Ave Dominus Nox!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Sorry for your loss.
A8 is a 1893 Turkish Mauser that was built in Germany and later reworked by the Turks. It originally had a magazine cutoff and a straight wrist stock. Yours has had the magazine cutoff removed and has an updated stock.
They sell between $200 and $300 now days. I started buying them when they sold from $60 to $100.
View attachment 935176

These were originally chambered for the 7.65mm (Belgian/Argentine) Mauser round and later bored out for the standard 7.92mm German cartridge (Aka 8mm). There is a lot of debate if these are safe to shoot even if the headspace checks out. My buddy has a really clean one, and it has a poorly cut chamber resulting in difficult extraction with some ammo brands. YMMV of course.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

These were originally chambered for the 7.65mm (Belgian/Argentine) Mauser round and later bored out for the standard 7.92mm German cartridge (Aka 8mm). There is a lot of debate if these are safe to shoot even if the headspace checks out. My buddy has a really clean one, and it has a poorly cut chamber resulting in difficult extraction with some ammo brands. YMMV of course.

I’ve got five of them and have never had any trouble with them. I no longer shoot Turkish 8mm Mauser ammo, unless I reduce the load.

 

[Miduzu]

Sorry for your loss.
A8 is a 1893 Turkish Mauser that was built in Germany and later reworked by the Turks. It originally had a magazine cutoff and a straight wrist stock. Yours has had the magazine cutoff removed and has an updated stock.
They sell between $200 and $300 now days. I started buying them when they sold from $60 to $100.
View attachment 935176

Thank you, Marine! I appreciate your service and, separately, your input!

I didn't know these were built in Germany and bought / reworked by the Turks - I'd assumed that the Turkish state were just building off the pattern. The Ankara marks are interesting.

That's a nice collection you have - if you don't mind me asking, what is it about Mausers or Turkish Mausers that caught your interest so much that you started picking them up? While I'm asking about things like value for practical reasons, I'm also personally interested in the history of these items, other people's collections, what they choose to collect, and why. Do you have a favorite or two?

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Thank you, Marine! I appreciate your service and, separately, your input!

I didn't know these were built in Germany and bought / reworked by the Turks - I'd assumed that the Turkish state were just building off the pattern. The Ankara marks are interesting.

That's a nice collection you have - if you don't mind me asking, what is it about Mausers or Turkish Mausers that caught your interest so much that you started picking them up? While I'm asking about things like value for practical reasons, I'm also personally interested in the history of these items, other people's collections, what they choose to collect, and why. Do you have a favorite or two?

History is the biggest part of why I collect surplus weapons. I have never been one for the pristine, pretty, shiny, unissued, surplus guns. I like the War Horses, the ones that show some use. The Turkish Mausers have a lot of history. Most of then have seen some hard use. The Turkish Mausers have also been looked upon as the red headed stepchildren of Mausers, by many Collectors. This is a reason they have not gone up in price like other surplus Mausers.
Another interesting thing about the 1893 Turkish Mauser is that it is the only Mauser to ever have a magazine cutoff.

 

[Miduzu]

History is the biggest part of why I collect surplus weapons. I have never been one for the pristine, pretty, shiny, unissued, surplus guns. I like the War Horses, the ones that show some use. The Turkish Mausers have a lot of history. Most of then have seen some hard use. The Turkish Mausers have also been looked upon as the red headed stepchildren of Mausers, by many Collectors. This is a reason they have not gone up in price like other surplus Mausers.
Another interesting thing about the 1893 Turkish Mauser is that it is the only Mauser to ever have a magazine cutoff.

This is really cool - thanks for sharing!

 

[Nature Boy]

Welcome to the forum @Miduzu , and my condolences for the passing of your dad.

We will all get to know him just a bit as you share his collection with us. I'm looking forward to following it.

 

[LoonWulf]

I have no useful information to add, simply wanted to offer my condolences as well.
Also welcome to The High Road.

 

[Miduzu]

Welcome to the forum @Miduzu , and my condolences for the passing of your dad.

We will all get to know him just a bit as you share his collection with us. I'm looking forward to following it.

Thanks very much, it's good to be here!

 

[Miduzu]

I have no useful information to add, simply wanted to offer my condolences as well.
Also welcome to The High Road.

Thank you - you seem to have a great community here.