October, 2024
Type 97
Japanese Empire
Second World War
Made by Kokura in c.1939
6.5x50mm
Springfield Model 1866
In the aftermath of the bloody Civil War the newly reunified United States found itself needing to adopt a modern breechloading cartridge arm, and began to explore a solution using the surplus of rifled muskets left over from the conflict.
Mossberg M44US
Faced with a rapidly expanding military and a need to conserve primary small arms for the front lines, the US would turn to a simple but effective bolt action trainer in .22 Long Rifle.
M1903 Springfield
Despite victory in the Spanish-American War of 1898, it was clear that the Krag rifles in American service were inferior to the Mausers used by their enemies. This prompt would lead to the development of a new universal short rifle that would serve in two world wars and beyond.
British Victory Revolver
With the onset of the Second World War the British found themselves short of handguns, and just as they had in the Great War they looked across the Atlantic for a solution. They found the popular Smith & Wesson Military and Police Model, and promptly placed an order for a large number in their .38/200 cartridge.
Included at the end of each posting is a reference to the rarity and average price observed by the author. This is, or course, subjective, and results may vary depending on a variety of factors, including condition, certain markings, etc., while rarity may vary depending on time and location.
Rarity is marked on a scale as follows:
Production (currently produced)
Surplus (Currently available on the surplus market)
Common
Uncommon
Rare
Very Rare