CFA CFA Manufacturer & Proof Marks 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of researching a firearm's serial number during a CFA appraisal?
- To determine the firearm's current registered owner
- To establish the approximate year of manufacture and verify originality (Correct answer)
- To calculate applicable import duties
- To determine the number of rounds fired through the barrel
Correct answer: To establish the approximate year of manufacture and verify originality
Serial number research allows an appraiser to establish the approximate year of manufacture, verify authenticity, and confirm the firearm matches its represented specifications.
Question 2: Winchester Model 1894 lever-action production began in what year, corresponding to the first serial numbers issued?
- 1873
- 1886
- 1894 (Correct answer)
- 1900
Correct answer: 1894
Winchester Model 1894 production began in 1894 with the earliest serial numbers, making the model name itself a reliable indicator of its introduction year.
Question 3: Colt's internal date letter coding system used from 1921 to 1970 allowed appraisers to determine what?
- The caliber from a hidden internal stamp
- The exact manufacturing year by decoding letters stamped on internal parts (Correct answer)
- The total production run quantity for that model
- The original factory retail price
Correct answer: The exact manufacturing year by decoding letters stamped on internal parts
Colt used an internal date letter system on hidden components that, when decoded, reveals the exact year and sometimes month of manufacture for firearms produced between 1921 and 1970.
Question 4: On Smith & Wesson revolvers, the 'dash number' following the model number (e.g., Model 10-8) indicates what?
- The number of guns in that production run
- A design change or engineering revision (Correct answer)
- The caliber designation code
- The standard barrel length in inches
Correct answer: A design change or engineering revision
Smith & Wesson's dash numbers indicate engineering change revisions, with higher numbers representing later design updates to the same basic model.
Question 5: What does the difference between a 'two-line' and 'three-line' barrel address on a Colt Single Action Army revolver indicate to an appraiser?
- The caliber and original barrel length
- Different production eras that affect collectibility and value (Correct answer)
- The number of cylinders in the original cylinder
- The original factory finish type
Correct answer: Different production eras that affect collectibility and value
Colt SAA barrel address variations indicate different production periods, which significantly affects collector interest and appraised value for these highly sought revolvers.
Question 6: Why is a 'matching numbers' firearm generally more valuable than one with mismatched components?
- Matching numbers indicate exclusive military contract origin
- All major components share the same serial number, confirming the gun was never disassembled and parts swapped (Correct answer)
- Matching number guns are certified as never having been fired
- Matching numbers indicate the firearm is chambered in its original caliber
Correct answer: All major components share the same serial number, confirming the gun was never disassembled and parts swapped
Matching numbers confirm that all major components share the same serial number, indicating the firearm was never stripped and parts replaced, preserving full originality and maximum collector value.
CFA CFA Manufacturer & Proof Marks 2
What is the primary purpose of researching a firearm's serial number during a CFA appraisal?