[Publib] Older Gun Resources

[Fred Beisser]

What is a "traffic" number? It is a term that I do not recognize.

Generally one has to inquire of the manufacturer (or the new owner of 
the manufacturer's records) with the make, model, caliber (rifle or 
handgun) or gauge (if shotgun) and serial number.

As to value, the easiest way for approximate current value is:

Blue Book of Gun Values (Just out) by S.P Fjestad. (See 
https://store.bluebookinc.com/Home/Default.aspx) priced at $34.95.

The new 2,176-page 29th Edition Blue Book of Gun Values is now complete 
with up-to-date pricing and information on thousands of firearms and 
antiques, includes new 2008 makes and models, a revised 80-page color 
Photo Percentage Grading System and new serialization charts and 
production data. The data is also available on-line for a fee and in CD-ROM.

Features in the BlueBook of Gun Values include:

* Includes all the new domestic and imported 2008 makes/models!
* Both modern and antique gun values have been completely updated, and 
auction pricing has been taken into consideration.
* Expanded serialization and identification sections.
* Color Photo Percentage Grading System™ has been enlarged to 80 pages, 
and also includes all NRA condition factors and conversion to percentages!
* Revised Trademark Index gives accurate contact info for current 
manufacturers, distributors, and importers – including email addresses 
and websites.
* Also available on CD-ROM and the database is included in the ISP 
(Inventory Software Program).

The Blue Book of Gun Values has earned its reputation as the firearms 
industry’s most used and trusted reference book, with over 1.2 million 
copies in print worldwide!

One exception is Winchester firearms. The Winchester Collection was 
moved from New Haven, CN to Cody, Wyoming about 1976 and is now located 
in the Winchester Museum at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center there. 
(See http://www.bbhc.org/firearms/index.cfm ). Firearms collectors can 
take advantage of the Cody Firearms Museum Records Service to secure 
information about individual firearms. Depending on Cody Firearms Museum 
membership level, factory letters for CFM members are greatly discounted 
or free. Factory letters are available to non-Cody Firearms Museum 
members for a fee. Those I have personally seen include make, model, 
caliber/gauge, date of manufacture of the specific firearm, to whom 
(name and address) it was initially sold by the manufacturer and the 
date of the sale.

Hope this helps,

Fred Beisser
Trustee
www.elbertcountylibrary.org
(Colorado)







Ford Simmons wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I had a patron today who found an old gun his father owned in the early
> 20th century. He had the serial number and a company name on the gun. I
> found out who originally made and sold the gun to the company his father
> bought the gun from, but is there an easier way to find such information?
> Using the method of finding the traffic number was not viable or even
> possible. Anyone have any resources or tips?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Ford Simmons
> Reference Librarian
> Sumter County Library - Main
>
>
>
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