I Have This Old Gun

Henry Deringer, maker of the famous Philadelphia Deringer single-shot pistol, has a particular distinction: He is the only gunmaker to have an entire genre of pistols named after him.

The Norinco 84S presents the same general appearance as the Chinese-made 56S because it has the same overall length, is built around a stamped sheet-steel receiver and uses the same hooded front sight base, the same 45-degree gas block, the same fire-control components, the same wood furniture and the same high-polish blued finish.

At the beginning of the Great War in 1914, France’s primary handgun was the cunning 8 mm double-action Modèle 1892 revolver, also known as the “Lebel” or “St. Étienne.”

As collectors know, fine firearms can be a solid investment, but, at times, firearms themselves become a commodity. In post-World War II Germany, the country’s currency had devalued rapidly, and a barter economy replaced traditional money.

Collectors refer to these shortened carbines as “trappers,” but that term was never officially used by either Winchester or Marlin. Winchester referred to them as “Baby Carbines” or “Special Short Carbines” on the rare occasions when they were cataloged.

Although the Astra Model 600/43 may not sit at the top of the list of the most collectible German World War II pistols, that is exactly what the first 10,500 are. Read on:

Though its active official service life was less than a half-dozen years, Britain’s Pattern 1851 “Minié” rifle musket was an important step in the evolution of military longarms.

Colt's Positive Lock eventually gave rise to the Police Positive, which was introduced in 1907 with more than 750,000 were produced until production halted in 1995.

Since its introduction in 1886, the L.C. Smith Hammerless has held the distinction of being the only side-by-side sidelock shotgun made in America, garnering legions of fans that encompass both shooters and collectors.