Bannerman Frankenfurter parts

[jaie5070]

I was in a local gun shop and saw two frankenfurter rifles. One was a 220xxxx RI receiver in an a modified 1917 enfield stock, with a 1917 enfield bolt(?) in it. I don't think it had an '03 barrel on it. The second was a small ring mauser action with an '03 barrel that may have been rechambered to 7.65 argy. I couldn't make out the marks at the muzzle. It was in a nice looking Rock Island stock. The guns are 150.00 each. I have no interest in the sales but wanted to let you guys know about them if the price is worth the parts. The shop is in Tucson.
john

[Col. Colt]

The Bannerman guns are a legitimate part of the 1903 story, and discussed in Bill Brophy's important 1903 Book. But how to value them? I would think even a wallhanger is worth $150! I would buy the Rock Island recievered gun in a heart beat, just to have an example of the variation for $150, and I suspect most real collectors would as well. I don't think you can get hurt on that rifle. The second one, not so much, but it does seem to go with the first one, somehow. CC

[jgaynor]

I am with Col Colt on this. Certainly the Bannerman rifles may not be originals but they are certainly representative of a particular period of firearms collecting. I was watching a news report last night about the massive electrical failure on the rail line between NYC and Boston. A nice shiny new rail car rolled thru the picture - on the side in big black letters was "BANNERMAN'S ISLAND". Bannerman's is part gun history.

Regards,
Jim

[jaie5070]

If I had the extra $$ to blow I would buy both but I have other hobby priorities right now. I just wanted others to now about them if they were looking for parts.
john

[Col. Colt]

If they are Bannermans rifles, they should not be parted out. They, too, are a little piece of American history. But some collector will recognize them for what they are, and complete his Springfield collection. They are pretty rare, in my experience. CC