A: G’day, mate. Well,
though the photos are a bit
dim, from what I can see of
the serial number it looks
like it’s in the Remington
Rand range, so I think the
pistol started out relativelyintact. As you note, there is
pitting under the blue, so
the refinishing job proba-
bly could have been a bit
better, though it doesn’t
appear to be all that bad.
Now to the embellishments.The eagle is definitely not
Mexican. Actually, it is fairly
close to the Egyptian eagle,
though missing a breast
shield. It is not engraved,
but rolled or etched, mean-
ing there are probably oth-
ers and they were made in
some quantity. I would lean
towards Middle Eastern, but
that’s only a guess. I notice
from your photos there are
other markings on the slide.
If you could get a close up
and send them to me, it
might help further to pin
down an ID. An intriguing
mystery.625-8 MICULEK S&W?
Q: I have an inquiry for
you regarding my Smith
& Wesson Model 625-8. I
bought it from the estate
of my friend who used to
attend the Second Chance
Pin Shoot every year in
the 1980s. This revolver
has an even serial number
(CFN5XXX), and the holster
I got with it has the Second
Chance logo on it, which
makes me think it might
have come off the prize
line at Second Chance.
The holster is marked
“Mid State Leather Goods,IDENTIFICATION
& VALUES
GUN ROOM october 2019G&A^15
GARRY JAMES
“Clever cinematic gunsmiths found dozens
of ways to change the Trapdoor into justabout anything they needed.ÓGARRY.JAMES@
OUTDOORSG.COM
THE AUCTION BLOCK
HOTCHKISS CANNON
A rare Model 1892 Hotchkiss 1.65-inch, 2-pounder Friction
Primed Cannon realized an impressive $30,000, including premi-
ums, at the April 25, 2019, Morphy auction. This rare French-
made gun (in French use, Canon Hotchkiss à tir rapide de 42 mm)
is unusual in that it is still in its original friction-primed state,
and has not been converted to centerfire. This steel-barreled
Hotchkiss carriage has brass mounts and is complete with a high-
quality reproduction ammunition box. The gun has been cleaned
and painted, and the bore is in acceptable condition. Because of
their attractiveness and small size, Hotchkiss guns make excel-
lent collectible display pieces. For more information about this
and future sales, contact Morphy Auctions at 877-968-8880 or
morphyauctions.com.EAGLE-MARKED MODEL 1911A
Q: I live in the midwest of Australia and my travels take
me to some remote cattle properties. Visiting one such
recently, and in conversation with the owner, the topic
turned to firearms. He showed me a rather interesting
1911A1. It is blued, the slide is of Remington manufacture
and has a beautifully engraved eagle on each side of the
slide with accompanying highlights. From my meager
information, the frame number is that of the Ithaca Gun
Company production run. The pistol is in perfect condi-
tion, the bore is faultless, though when the cell phone
photos are magnified you can see pitting under the blu-
ing. The owner asked my opinion to which I replied that it
was a very nice piece, also mentioning my subscription to
an American gun magazine that ran a column by a firearm
historian who is most knowledgeable when it comes to
GI .45s. Enclosed are three photos, the best we could
do. My parting query: Is the engraved eagle Mexican in
origin? Thank you for your consideration and a great read
in Guns & Ammo. Beers and cheers!
B.W.
Meekatharra, Western Australia