Firearm Identification & Historical Significance Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Firearm Identification & Historical Significance flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of obtaining a factory letter for a Winchester or Colt firearm?
Answer: To obtain an official document from the manufacturer confirming original shipping configuration and destination
Factory letters are official correspondence from the manufacturer's historian verifying a specific gun's original configuration, caliber, finish, and shipping destination based on archived records.
The term 'matching numbers' in firearm appraisal means:
Answer: The serial numbers on the frame, barrel, cylinder, or other numbered components all correspond and are original to that firearm
Matching numbers means all serialized components of a firearm share the same serial number, indicating they are original to that specific gun and were not replaced.
Which early American arms maker is historically credited with pioneering the concept of interchangeable parts manufacture for firearms?
Answer: Eli Whitney
Eli Whitney is credited with pioneering interchangeable parts for US military muskets in the late 18th century, though full interchangeability took decades to perfect in practice.
A Luger P08 pistol with a '1934' date and 'S/42' code was manufactured by which company?
Answer: Mauser-Werke
The 'S/42' code was assigned to Mauser-Werke, which produced Lugers under that code during the 1930s Nazi rearmament period.
What distinguishes a 'First Model' from a 'Second Model' Schofield revolver in identification?
Answer: First Models have a longer barrel and lack the latch modification present on Second Models
The First Model Schofield has a barrel-mounted latch, while the Second Model relocated the latch to the frame and incorporated other minor refinements.
In the context of antique firearm appraisal, what does 'patina' typically refer to?
Answer: The natural aged surface coloration and oxidation that develops over time on metal and wood
Patina is the naturally occurring aged surface that develops on metal and wood over decades; authentic patina is valued as evidence of age and originality.
The Borchardt C-93 pistol is historically significant in firearm development because it was:
Answer: The first commercially produced semi-automatic pistol using a toggle-link action
The Borchardt C-93 (1893) was the first commercially successful semi-automatic pistol and directly influenced the later Luger P08 design through its toggle-link action.