Register
Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Offline
I’m curious if anyone who keep surveys on 1897s knows about when the takedown riot guns started to become more common than solid frames and what the approximate ratio was of solid to takedown models prior to WW1? Also curious if there are any documented military issue takedown riot guns during WW1. I have seen a reference to a small Navy contract. does anyone have more info or serial number range on these?
Bert Hartman can probably give you the ratio of solid frame guns to takedown models prior to WWI.
The small Navy contract you referenced was a mid 1917 contract. There were also a couple of other contracts for about a dozen takedown riot guns for the Navy and Signal Corps that were made in mid 1917 and late 1917. I would expect all of these guns to be in the 660,000 to 675,000 serial number range.
Thanks. One reason I asked is because I saw a US-marked takedown riot that sold at RIA a few years ago, but I am often dubious of guns that sell for big money there. I have an early 1917 takedown riot SN 648648 with no indication of military or police service.
Based on the current results of my survey, I have (267) Model 1897 Riot Guns documented through the end of the year 1919. Of that number, (44) of them are Take Downs, but only (18) of the TDs are pre-1917 production guns. The Take Down Riot Guns began to become more common in the year 1917, but they did not become the majority (more common) than the Sold frame Riot Guns until 1922. The final batch of Solid frame Riot Guns were manufactured in late 1930 through the Summer of 1931.
Bert
WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
[email protected] said
Thanks. One reason I asked is because I saw a US-marked takedown riot that sold at RIA a few years ago, but I am often dubious of guns that sell for big money there. I have an early 1917 takedown riot SN 648648 with no indication of military or police service.
Can you send me pictures of the slide bar marking and the barrel address marking? Based on my survey, the slide bar should have the Type 4 marking, and the barrel most likely has a Type 7 marking.
Bert – [email protected]
WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
Thanks Bert. Exactly what I was looking for. Photos sent.
FWIW, here’s the link to the auction gun I mentioned:
Tom D said
The martial markings on the auction gun are fake.
I concur… somebody overpaid for that gun.
It is an authentic Take Down Riot Gun, but it was a commercial market gun. It is in the middle of a (20) gun batch of TD Riot Guns manufactured in early 1917.
Bert
WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
1 Guest(s)
