Civilian Sales During WWII

[kwill1911]

In February, 1942 the War Production Board issued Limitation Order L-60 that froze the sale of all firearms by jobbers, dealers and manufacturers. It further required them to provide an inventory to the Defense Supplies Corporation. In May, the freeze was lifted for rifles that were not chambered in .30-06 or .22LR, and shotguns smaller than 16 gauge. In spite of this policy, it seems a few guns “leaked” out of the factories and resellers to civilian purchasers. For example, there were several Club (zero-numbered) guns sold by S&W with the justification being that there were made from rejected parts. Occasionally there are handguns lettered that show a civilian dealer and ship date during the war years. I’m interested in seeing examples of those that forum members may own or know about.

 

[glowe]

I thought club guns were given away to shooting clubs and individuals??? Also, they did sell a bunch of of TLs made of leftover parts chambered in 455 to Shapleigh Hardware during the war, but they may have been destined for Canada??

Oh wait was that WWI or WWII??

 

[sigp220.45]

Hi kwill - I replied on the other forum, but here I can post a link to an old thread that has more details.

I think its a fascinating subject.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firear...break-unlikely-warrior.html?highlight=Bedford

 

[Club Gun Fan]

I thought club guns were given away to shooting clubs and individuals??? Also, they did sell a bunch of of TLs made of leftover parts chambered in 455 to Shapleigh Hardware during the war, but they may have been destined for Canada??

Oh wait was that WWI or WWII??

Gary
I don't know where the term "Club Gun" came from. The first pistols I show that went to a club are 5 .22 Single Shots with 10" barrels. They shipped in 1910. I own one of them.

 

[CajunBass]

I remember my grandfather telling me about buying a gun during the war. It was a shotgun, but I have no idea what kind of shotgun. It was a long time ago, and I don't remember any details, but it seems it was a "new" gun, and as such it was a "rationed" item. If you didn't have a ration stamp, you couldn't buy it. My grandfather didn't have the right stamp. He said the "dealer" simply went out back, fired three rounds, and came back and sold it to him as a "used" gun, which apparently were not rationed. The black market at work I suppose.

No idea if the story is/was true or not, or if I remember it correctly, but I remember sitting in his kitchen about every evening, and talking to him. That was just one story.

 

[glowe]

Gary
I don't know where the term "Club Gun" came from. The first pistols I show that went to a club are 5 .22 Single Shots with 10" barrels. They shipped in 1910. I own one of them.

Don, were they ever sold from the factory or all given away?

 

[kwill1911]

I misspoke when I said "sold" about Club Guns. However, since we know where they went I'm more interested in guns that may have been sold, or given away, or expensed on the advertising account, during the war years.

 

[RM Vivas]

One thing that surprised me whilst researching NYPD Colt Commando revolvers was the surprising number of them that appeared in newspaper classified ads during the war. I figure those were guns sold to officers (and thus became their personal property) who later sold them off.

 

[walnutred]

Years ago at a CAS shoot I handled a 12ga hammerless sidelock shotgun that was marked Stevens Arms Company. To the best of my knowledge Stevens never made a sidelock hammerless shotgun. However Savage Arms bought Crescent Arms in the 30's. My theory has always been that sometime during the war Savage/Stevens assembled a few guard guns from old Crescent parts they had on hand. Maybe for internal security use.

 

[RM Vivas]

Years ago at a CAS shoot I handled a 12ga hammerless sidelock shotgun that was marked Stevens Arms Company. To the best of my knowledge Stevens never made a sidelock hammerless shotgun. However Savage Arms bought Crescent Arms in the 30's. My theory has always been that sometime during the war Savage/Stevens assembled a few guard guns from old Crescent parts they had on hand. Maybe for internal security use.

Double barrel 12's and even some double 16's were procured for training and guard use. I know I've seen pics of civilians training with them as part of civil defense/militia/reserve.

 

[Muley Gil]

My granddaddy bought a Stevens .22/.410 O/U at the beginning of WW II to keep the bunnies out of his garden. However, I don't know what year he bought it.

 

[BigMuddy]

I have a Winchester pump .22 that belonged to my father in law. He said his Dad bought it for him on Dec 8, 1941 because he knew guns were going to be hard to get.

Dan

 

[Doc44]

Most of the guns sold by S&W during the war years were invoiced through the Defense Supplies Corporation. In 1942, there were some sales to individuals through S&W's Advertising Account.

Bill