The price ranges listed in these pages come from the author’s personal experience, observations of vendors at gun shows and online, and opinions of some collectors whose bayonets were photographed for use in this book. There will, of course, be examples that the reader might find that are outside the price range included here. In the final analysis, the prices listed herein are given to assist the shooter and collector in pursuing their hobby with a better understanding of what is going on in the marketplace. If this book can expand one’s knowledge, then it will have fulfilled its purpose.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
There are a number of excellent comprehensive books on military history for the period that this volume covers. Perhaps the best, at least in my opinion, are two outstanding studies by Edward Ezell. They are: Small Arms of the World, 12th edition, Stackpole Books, 1983, and Handguns of the World, Stackpole Books, 1981.
For early military revolvers, the two-volume work by Rolf H. Muller, Geschichte und Technik der Europaischen Militarrevolver, Journal-Verlag Schwend, 1982, is excellent.
For modern military weapons, Jane’s Infantry Weapons gives a broad overview, with technical data, of just about any modern military weapon in use in recent times.
Robert Balls’ book Mauser Military Rifles of the World, Krause publishing, is perhaps the best reference on the the numerous variations of the legendary Mauser designs.
Donald Webster’s book, Military Bolt Action Rifles, 1841-1918, Museum Restoration Service, 1993, filled some important gaps in information on early bolt action rifles.
There are additional titles that are of interest and offer beneficial information: Pistols of the World, 3rd ed., Hogg and Weeks, DBI Books, 1992. Rifles of the World, John Walter, DBI Books, 1993. Military Small Arms of the 20th Century, 7th ed., Hogg and Weeks, Krause Publications, 1999. Small Arms Today, 2nd ed., Edward Ezell, Stackpole Books, 1988. The Greenhill Military Small Arms Data Book, Ian Hogg, Greenhill Books, 1999. Modern Machine Guns, John Walter, Greenhill Books, 2000. The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Weapons, Chris Bishop, ed., Barnes & Noble, 1999. The World’s Submachine Guns, Vol. I, Thomas B. Nelson, 1964. The World’s Assault Rifles, Vol. II, Musgrave and Nelson, 1967. The World’s Fighting Shotguns, Vol. IV, Thomas F. Swearengen, Ironside, 1978. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms...and Their Values, 7th edition, Krause Publications, 1998. Paul S. Scarlata’s Collecting Classic Bolt Action Military Rifles, Andrew Mobray Publishers, 2001, gives a good overview of this field for the collector. I have endeavored to give the reader a listing of helpful books of specific weapons at the beginning of each section, where applicable, so that he may easily pursue additional information that is outside the scope of this book.
HOW DID THEY GET HERE?
by Phillip Peterson
Most of the firearms contained in this book were made for military use in another country. Yet there are millions of these weapons in the hands of American shooters and collectors. It really would be impossible to get an accurate number. How did they get here? Well, that becomes an interesting bit of history.
Veteran Bring-backs
The big prize! Weapons have been desirable war booty throughout history. Veterans from any foreign war in which the United States has participated carted home untold numbers of firearms in their duffle bags, foot lockers or pockets. The most common would have to be handguns because of their size and ease of transportation. Rifles present a slight problem due to their length. Examples will be encountered in which the stock is “duffle cut.” This means the rifle was taken apart and the stock was cut in two pieces so they would fit in a duffle bag, foot locker or mailing carton. If the soldier was smart, he made the cut under a barrel band so the cut could be hidden when the rifle was reassembled. However he got it home, the soldier still had to carry the item with him for days or months before it could be sent home.
I do not know if there was any official regulation about war souvenir firearms during WWI. In those days, firearms were not such controversial items. Look at the numbers of WWI-vintage Maxim machine guns that exist today. Imagine a soldier trying to figure a way to bring one of those home – yet some managed to do it. Even small cannon found their way here. In many cases it would have to be an officer or person involved in logistics to arrange transport of large, heavy items that would not fit in an individual soldier’s kit. Some machine guns or cannon were brought home as unit trophies by the regiment that captured it. These were later sold off by VFW posts after the memory of the capture died off along with the aging veterans.
During WWII there were some regulations in effect that required servicemen to have “capture papers” to possess enemy equipment, including firearms. These rules were enforced only by some, not all, commanders. I have spoken to many WWII veterans who shipped or carried home single guns or a foot locker full of stuff without any official permission or documentation. Others tell stories of officers “seizing” their trophy Luger or other prize, while leaving other less desirable items alone. One has to wonder where those seized items ended up? There was a form in use that was issued to servicemen who followed the official process. Any war souvenir firearm accompanied with an original capture paper is now a highly desirable item. In fact such a paper can add 25 – 50% to the price of the gun over what it would be without it. This paper proves a link to the past.
Similar regulations were in effect during Korea and Viet Nam. After the passage of the Gun Control Act of 1968, which changed federal regulations for importation of firearms, the military authorities required service persons bringing home any captured firearms to go through an import process set forth in that law. However, since the GCA ’68 also banned the importation of military surplus firearms, and most firearms captured in a war were of course military in nature, it effectively ended the ability of veterans to bring home captured firearms. Still, some pre-1899 antique firearms along with parts, magazines and accessories from newer weapons were permitted. Some small firearms were simply brought home hidden in luggage or equipment. The first Soviet Makarov pistol I ever saw was at a gun show in 1983. It was being sold by a soldier just home from the U.S. action in Grenada. (I passed on it because the 9x18mm ammunition was unavailable.)
A few well-publicized cases of smuggling after the Grenada action and the first Gulf War have totally ended any legal way for service persons to bring or send home ANY captured firearm or even part of one. In one example, a general had sent home several full automatic AK-47s that had been disabled simply by removing the firing pin. This was a violation of federal law as the receivers of these guns were intact and they could be easily repaired. Then there were several instances where illegal firearms and explosive munitions were hidden inside military vehicles by persons involved in transporting them back to the states after the conflict. The actions of a few have ruined things for everyone.
At this time the official military policy is to destroy any captured enemy equipment that is not of use by us or our allies. This means that collectible Mauser and Enfield bolt action rifles are being blown up in Iraq. I’ve read that original cases of unissued Mausers have been destroyed along with tons of antique machine guns and other munitions. Individual soldiers are strictly forbidden from possessing any non-issue firearms, magazines or ammunition. Attempts to ship home contraband items through the Army Post Office system are prosecuted. Some soldiers have been put in federal prison for attempting to smuggle back illegal firearms.
Importation: The “Good Old Days”
After WWII there were literally tons of military firearms of every kind left lying around many nations. Barges of equipment were dumped in the oceans to get them