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Dear Friends:
I am constantly seeking guns and parts for purposes of research for
shop projects, magazine pieces and, perhaps, another book project or
two. As a general rule, these guns and parts do not have to be serious
collector's items with lots of original finish but rather decent,
salvageable examples pieces suitable for building nice shooters or for
study.
While I prefer to trade our services (at favorable rates) for these
items, we do purchase them in many cases. Be sure to poke around at
our 'For Sale' section as we'll be happy to contemplate trades for
these pieces. Our e-mail address is
bcacorp@nxs.net . When responding via e-mail, please also include
a phone number as we occasionally encounter computer problems and may
need to resort to a different communications medium.
Here's the current 'short list' of items we're looking
hard to find:
*SAKO L46 rifles in .218 Bee and .25-20. Need a nice
shooter but would be happy with an action, too. Also looking for
SAKO rings and peep sight for this gun
*BRNO ZKW465 .22 Hornet rifle. Nice shooter need with an
excellent bore preferred but will consider any. These guns were
made an imported in the late '40s and early '50s--do not want
the current model.
*Winchester M54 magazine rifle or carbine (preferred)
in .30 WCF (.30-30). Will consider any but would like a clean
shooter; wood and metal finish not important.
* M629-4 Smith & Wesson with the square-butt grip
frame. Any barrel length ok but prefer 8 3/8 in. Have a friend
who needs one for a square-butt Mtn. Gun project.
* Ruger M96/22s in both LR and Mag. and the M96/44.
Also need an M77/44; prefer older stainless model, especially
with the somewhat skeletonized synthetic stock (if such a model
was made); will consider any. Tube-feed .44 Mag. autoloader;
prefer a Mannlicher sporter but will consider a carbine. Used ok but prefer
clean, unharmed examples.
* Have a couple of Mannlicher rifles that are missing scopes.
Looking for vintage scopes with the style mounts and bases shown
in the photos below.
* S&W Beckert model in sound mechanical condition w/excellent
bore. No major pits, goobers or modifications but blue and grips
not so important.
* Colt New Service revolvers. Looking for clean guns with
perfect mechanical condition as to actions. No serious pitting,
dings or goobers; bores, bluing grips, etc. condition
unimportant. Especially interested in smaller caliber guns.
Target models considered.
* M71/84 Mauser repeating rifles in .43 Mauser caliber. Need
a gun with a clean, un-buggered action and excellent bore. Stock
and fittings condition not important. Will consider guns w/cut
barrels.
* Marlin M56, M57 and M57M .22 rim fires. M62s in .256 Win.
Mag. and .30 Carbine. Looking for clean, tidy shooters with
excellent bores. Also extra magazines and .256 cases/ammo.
* Wanted dead or alive: vintage Lyman rear sights. Looking
especially for early lever-lock, M48, M56 and M57 sights for
Krags, Remington-Lees, Mausers, Winchesters and SMLE Enfields.
Also looking for tang sights for Savage 99s, Remington M25s and
M61/62/63 Winchester .22s. Striker-mounted sights are welcome.
High on the list is an M48F for the Winchester/Browning sporter
.22. Also need parts and junk sights for repairs. Please spread
the word. Fair prices paid for the right stuff.
* .32 H&R Mag. adjustable-sight Single-Sixes and any .32 H&R
Mag. Bisleys
* Hi-quality rook rifles by good makers. Bore condition not
important. Will consider fixer-uppers.
*Remington M25 .25-20 and .32-20 rifles and carbines. Need
nice, clean shooters w/excellent bores.
*Winchester M61 hammerless rim fire pump rifles. Need nice ,
clean shooters w/excellent bores in both LR and WRM.
*Colt pre-war Woodsman .22s. Prefer 'Target' model (not Match
Target) with front and rear adjustable sights. Finish/grip
condition unimportant but must have perfect bores, sights and no
major pits or goobers.
*Martini .310 Cadet rifles and actions in any condition; small
martinis by other makers; high-quality rook rifles, even with
bad bores.
*USFA Lightning pump rifle
*Remington-Lee sporting rifles and magazines in all calibers.
*Need a tidy M1910 Mannlicher-Schoenauer take-down rifle;
also looking for an M1903 full-stock carbine with the
factory-style (Springer-type?) scope mount and scope (not
claw-mounts). Front base will have two pinch levers while the
rear has a leg that hooks to the receiver ring at a screw.
Also looking for M1924 and M1925 models in all
calibers. Especially interested in 10.75X68 caliber guns in any
condition. Any model Mannlicher with special-order features such
as: factory-mounted scopes, tang safeties, pop-up cheek pieces,
take-downs, ribbed barrels, etc.
*Any Smith & Wesson.38/44 Heavy Duty models (especially 4 in.)
and pre-war Outdoorsman models in both .22 and .38 Special, most
any Triple Lock
*Savage pre-war M1899 rifles/carbines in rimmed cartridges (.22
High Power, .25-35, .30-30 and .38-55), especially take-down,
pistol-grip and carbine models. Will consider any.
*Alex Henry hammer single-shot best grade-rifle with right-side
lock in .360
caliber. Also looking for double-barreled Henry rifles in all
calibers; especially interested in hammerless under-lever guns.
*Papa Nambu: must have a decent, shootable bore.
*Best large-frame Daniel Fraser side-lever single-shot rifle.
Prefer late-model take down but will consider any. Also look for
orphaned Fraser (Davidson?) scopes.
*Ruger 'Old Model' single-action revolvers of all sorts,
especially Flat Tops. Also interested in New Model Flat Tops in
both .357 and .44 calibers.
A 'Thanks' to all who over the years have responed to this
list. Many of the guns we've bought or taken in trade and been
rebuilt and sold. Many more are in the research 'library' and
have given their all in the interests of science. Still others
will occasionally figure in magazine articles and writing
projects. For other items we're interested in, please see the
full listing at the 'Wanted' subsection of the NEWS section.
Many thanks again,
Hamilton S. Bowen |
DETAILED LIST
SCOTTISH RIFLES
I have an abiding personal interest in the
single-shot and double rifles of the great Scottish makers of the
late Victorian era, especially those by Alexander Henry, Daniel
Fraser, J. D. Dougall and others such as Dixon, McNaughton,
McCririck, etc. Similar guns from English makers are also of
interest.
At this writing, I am especially interested in a
.577 double and some .360s by Henry, one of his little doubles and
one of the small-frame hammer single-shots.
Early magazine rifles, whether finished and retailed
by Scottish or continental makers are also of interest. Two
Mannlichers, in particular are of interest: an M1910 take-down rifle
and an M1903 DT 17.7 in. carbine scoped w/Springer-type mount;also
and un-scoped M1903.
Please click here for some photos of various rifles
of interest. None of these are available for sale.
HANDGUNS
Need a S&W M629-4 for a magazine article project:
Must be this model with square-butt, round-tang rear sight and
the late-model anti-recoil modifications such as the internal
thumb-latch locking bits and long-notch cylinder. I believe this is
the only S&W model to combine all these features. Prefer 8 3/8 in.
version but will consider any.
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1.) Classic American custom revolvers by various
makers:
.22 rimfire revolvers and parts of any sort by Alonzo Krull of Wabash,
IN. Also seeking any printed material about Mr. Krull and his guns in
the form of old magazine article, books, letters, etc.
Take-out cylinder single-action revolvers by A. O. Sedgley and
information on them.
Custom single-action revolvers by Houchins, Croft, O'Meara and related
information.
Any high-quality classic custom revolvers by good makers.
2.) Early military autoloaders by: Astra,
Bayard, Bergman, Mannlicher, Nambu (Baby and Papa), Roth-Styer, Styer-Hahn
and Webley. Prefer guns free of heavy pitting and goobers with
shootable bores but will consider any. Also seeking parts, stripper
clips, magazines, ammo, etc.
3.) Webley-Fosbery automatic revolver: Looking for a nice,
clean, tight, shootable example. Prefer the early small-frame guns
(1901 models). Also seeking any Webley-pattern revolvers, preferable
unaltered in .455 cal.
4.) Any big-bore Victorian-ear English handguns: Howdahs, 2 and
4 barrel Lancaster top-breaks. .577 revolvers of all types:
percussion, cartridge, solid frame and top-break, especially Bland-Pryse
pieces.
5.) Merwin and Hulbert revolvers of all types:
Looking for sound shooters with very good+ bores.
6.) Smith & Wesson revolvers: Pre-war .22 and .38/44
Outdoorsman model and any .38/44 Heavy Duty models, especially 4 in.
Virtually any Triple Lock is of interest, especially a .455 flat-top
export-style Target model. M45, M48 and M53 (especially extra
cylinders in .22 LR). Pre-war N-frame and New Model No. 3 parts.
7.) Lugers: Need a clean commercial 1920 DWM with excellent
bore. Also seeking Navy toggles/sights and a DWM Artillery
barrel/sight. Also like any parts, stocks stock hardware, etc.
8.) Colt New Service: looking for a .44 Russian or .44 Special
Target model, preferably with checkered (fleu-de-lis pattern) wood
grips. Will also consider any .455 Targets, with std. or Metford
rifling. Always seeking parts for repairs and unaltered .455
cylinders.
9.) Colt SAA/Bisley: Good, restorable receivers with
fitted/matching grip frames and gates. Must not be heavily pitted,
refinished or have 'custom' touches such as dovetailed sights in the
receiver, etc. Always seeking Bisley hammers and triggers in good or
rebuildable condition.
LONG GUNS
1.) M97 Winchester shotguns with Damascus
barrels. Also need extra Damascus barrels/barrel assemblies.
2.) Winchesters: M86 .33 Lt. Wt. takedown, M95 take-downs in
rimmed calibers and an M94 SRC in .25-35. Also looking for
M73/76/92/94 guns with clean, tidy actions. M61/62/63 rimfires in fine
condition (for the kids, you know).
3.) Black powder cartridge single-shot rifles/action and double
rifles: by Scottish makers such as Alex Henry, Fraser, Dougall,
McNaughton, Turner, etc. Also similar pieces by English makers.
4.) Early military sporters by English/Scottish makers based on
M95 Mannlicher, Lee Speed, Ross, Krag, Mannlicher-Schoenauer, etc.
5.) Models 1903, 1905, 1908, 1910 and 1925 Mannlicher-Schoenauer
carbines/rifles, actions, bolt peep sights and parts.
6.) Krag rifle/carbines: military/sporterized, dead or alive,
good or grotesque with unrefinished/undrilled actions, plus parts,
bolts, etc.
7.) Colt Lightnings: looking for a clean .32-20 with excellent
bore. Also parts, actions for both medium and lg. frame guns.
8.) Small-bore military/sporter percussion rifles: by Ingram,
Alex Henry, Gray, Turner, etc. Complete beaters fine.
9.) Nice SMLE Mk 1, No. 3: must be original with perfect bore.
Also like early Lees.
10.) 10.75X68 rifle: looking for commercial Mauser or
Mannlicher(?). Also like .303 M98 with slant-box magazine by Rigby,
Wesley Richards, etc.
11.) Cogswell and Harrison CERTUS bolt action rifles,
especially big-bore nitro versions in .400 and .450 NE.
12.) Savage M1899 re-war rifles/carbines:
looking for rimmed calibers such as the .22 High Power, .25-35,
.30-30 and .38-55. Most interested in take down, carbine and
pistol-grip guns but will consider any, especially featherweight
models.
13.) Remington-Lee, Remington-Keene and
Winchester-Hotchkiss rifles: Bore and wood condition unimportant
but prefer whole guns. Need good, sound restorable actions.
Especially interested in Remington-Lee sporting rifles in .30-30,
.30-40, .303, .35 Win. and .405 Win. calibers.
Ammo and Reloading
1.) 10.75X68 dies/brass/bullets/ammo
2.) Dies/brass: for any of these calibers: 8X56MS, 9X56MS,
9.5X56 MS, .25-35 WCF, .22 Hi-Power, 7MM & 8MM Nambu
3.) Kynoch ammo of most any caliber still in original
packets/boxes.
CLASS III
1.)Parts set/part for M1917 Browning especially
US tripod. Need linkers, loaders, cooling system bits.
2.) MG-34: like a good runner. Dealer samples considered.
3.) BAR: Group Inds. or similar. Dealer samples considered.
PARTS
1.) Most any parts for guns above.
2.) Colt Single-Action revolvers: always looking for 2nd/3rd
gen. .38 Spec./.357 Mag. Cylinders, Bisley hams./trigs., early hard
rubber grips in salvagable condition. Clean .32-20 bbls./cyls.
3.) Ruger revolver parts: any .22, .30 Carbine, 9MM and .45 ACP,
any 'Old Model' barrels, cylinders, hammers, triggers, Flat Top rear
sights and XR3 grip frames/black grips.
4.) Winchester lever-gun parts: especially interested in take-dwon
lugs and related parts, special-order parts such as pistol-grip lower
tangs/levers, set-trigger tangs/parts/assemblies.
5.) M97 Win. Shotguns: any uncut Damascus barrels or barrel
assemblies. We can trade good, strong, modern steel barrels for your
Damascus parts.
6.) Rifle/gun locks: Brazier (or similar) locks with
interrupting safety/sears from any rifle/gun, hammer/hammerless,
bar/back action.
7.) Smith& Wesson parts: especially need .22 LR K-frame
cylinders. M53 hammers/triggers/inserts/.22LR aux. cyls., Triple Lock
parts of any description. Need N-frame target barrels any caliber, any
length, especially 6, 6 ½and 8 3/8 inc, blue and stainless. Pre-war HD
cylinders and any 4 in. HD barrels.
8.) Damascus barrels: any makers, any kind, any condition:
blown up tubes, guns, cut tubes from sleeve jobs, orphaned barrel
sets, scrap/ junker guns, etc.
MISCELLANEOUS
Books and paper:
Copy of Mannlicher Rifles and Pistols by W. H.
B. Smith. Also his book on Mannlicher, Mauser and Walther guns.
Any book on the English gun trade, gunmakers and gunmaking.
Clean copy of Scrambles Amongst the Alps by Edward Whymper
The Unveiling of Timbuctoo by Galbraith Welch ( William Morrow
& Co., 1939). Any edition. Also Travels Through Central Africa to
Timbuctoo by Renee Caillie, 2 vol. English translation published
by Henry Colburn and Richard Bently, London, 1830. Any books,
articles, etc. on Caillie.
Hardback travel books by: Burnaby, Newby, Thesiger, Haliburton.
Remove Peoples by Evelyn Waugh.
Natural history prints by Robert Thornton (flowers), Daniel Elliott
(his birds of Paradise, the great cats), J. J. Audubon (quadrupeds).
Any related editions, originals or high-quality facsimilies. Also
books, papers treatises, info, etc. on or by Elliott.
Old maps of Tennesee, Kentucky, Mississippi, as states, territories,
land grants, etc. Also State of Franklin.
Original Pilot's manuals for Republic P-47 and Grumman F8F.
Magazines, books, etc. covering pre-1950 custom revolvers.
R. L. Wilson's book L. D. Nimschke, Firearms Engraver
Transportation:
Wanted dead or alive: Land Rover SWB (88") pick-ups, station wagons,
hard or soft tops, '64-'70. Also need period owner's manuals,
repair/parts manuals. Any PTO winches, Fairey overdrives.
Driver wanted: a clean, straight, rust-free, running (or near running)
Rover MK II 3 ltr. Sedan/coupe/salon '64-'70. Also period
owner's/repair/parts manuals. More part cars can't hurt either.
Wanted dead but salvageable WWII/Korean War era Dodge/Chrysler command
car and M37 ¾ ton cargo truck. Prefer winch equipped with correct
related front bumper.
Looking for certain vintage dirt bikes: Want in any
condition: 1974--1978 Husqvarna 125, 175, 250, 400 and 450 CR/WR/OR
models. Especially looking for 1974 (1/2) Maico MC 250 and MC400 and
also any other 250/400/450 Maicos of 1973--1975 vintage or 501 of
any vintage. Parts for all the above. Trade for guns/custom gunwork
or maybe even money. Please keep your eyes open for such critters
and help restore the lost childhood of a middle-age cooter.
Toys:
Matchbox toys by Lesney: Boxed nice-to-mint martial vehicles, singles
and sets circa late '50s/early '60s.
Livestock:
Know of orphaned, unloved, unwanted or otherwise distressed male Irish
wolfhounds and Scottish deerhounds of good stock in want of rescue?
Being a dog is a tough job. The hours are long and the pay is low.
But, we can help with happy homes with doting owners, lots of running
room, cats to chase, three squares a day and medical benefits.
I would be grateful for any assistance in locating any of this stuff.
Please hang onto this list and give a holler if you see anything
promising out there.
Cordially yours,
Hamilton S. Bowen
Bowen Classic Arms Crop.
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