Beautiful Artillery Rig. . .Wish It Were Mine

Big Norm · 06-18-2005, 01:25 AM

Mike,
nice lookin artillery. The 1917 artillery had a large production so that year is prety common. But the 1917 arty was a sort of transitional year for the artillery. The transition occured in the front AND rear sights. All the 1916 artilleries had adustible front and rear sights. The 1917's MAY have either the front or rear sights adjustible or neither sight may be adjustible. None of the 1918's had adjustible sights. Maybe I shouldn't say none had adjustile sights. But they are not supposed to have adjustible sights. But it was the end of the war and things got sloppy.

The holster appears to be a nice rig. The 1917 manufacturers date could be any WW1 date without changing the value of this rig but having the holsters date match the guns date is a nice touch to a collector. A close look at all the straps condition and dye color will tell you if this a true matching holster rig or if it is a "put together". An authentic "all matching" holster rig alone could cost as much as the gun itself.

Too bad that there isnt a matching mag. Does the shoulder stocks serial number match the guns serial number? The serial number should be on the top of the attaching iron. If the guns serial number contains a small cap character, then the attaching iron should also have that small cap. Your pictures do not show the area for proof marks on the stock. They should be just below the screw holes toward the rear. The proof mark could look like the horse on a chess board and about .75 inches high.

Take the grips off and look for a two digit serial number. Be very careful about taking the grip on the safety side. The grip could break very easily up by the thumb safety. Your buddy might kill you if that grip is broken and is matching. The two digit number should be the same as the last two digits of the guns serial number. Don't be upset if there isn't a serial number but the grips should fit tight or they might be repros. Many repros used the same pattern on both the right side and the left side. But on authentic grips, the right and left sides have different lengths.

Sorry for sounding picky, but you asked for information to pass on to your friend about his gun.
Big Norm

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06-18-2005, 01:25 AM	#6
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Mike, nice lookin artillery. The 1917 artillery had a large production so that year is prety common. But the 1917 arty was a sort of transitional year for the artillery. The transition occured in the front AND rear sights. All the 1916 artilleries had adustible front and rear sights. The 1917's MAY have either the front or rear sights adjustible or neither sight may be adjustible. None of the 1918's had adjustible sights. Maybe I shouldn't say none had adjustile sights. But they are not supposed to have adjustible sights. But it was the end of the war and things got sloppy. The holster appears to be a nice rig. The 1917 manufacturers date could be any WW1 date without changing the value of this rig but having the holsters date match the guns date is a nice touch to a collector. A close look at all the straps condition and dye color will tell you if this a true matching holster rig or if it is a "put together". An authentic "all matching" holster rig alone could cost as much as the gun itself. Too bad that there isnt a matching mag. Does the shoulder stocks serial number match the guns serial number? The serial number should be on the top of the attaching iron. If the guns serial number contains a small cap character, then the attaching iron should also have that small cap. Your pictures do not show the area for proof marks on the stock. They should be just below the screw holes toward the rear. The proof mark could look like the horse on a chess board and about .75 inches high. Take the grips off and look for a two digit serial number. Be very careful about taking the grip on the safety side. The grip could break very easily up by the thumb safety. Your buddy might kill you if that grip is broken and is matching. The two digit number should be the same as the last two digits of the guns serial number. Don't be upset if there isn't a serial number but the grips should fit tight or they might be repros. Many repros used the same pattern on both the right side and the left side. But on authentic grips, the right and left sides have different lengths. Sorry for sounding picky, but you asked for information to pass on to your friend about his gun. Big Norm