Need some assistance with an 1891 Calvary Carbine

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Donkt	Need some assistance with an 1891 Calvary Carbine	Lead	[-]
Posts: 27 (05/29/08 08:39 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None I just picked up this nice little carbine and I wanted to find out an aproximate value. It is in very nice condition with typical handling marks you would expect on a rifle of this age as can be seen in the pics and the bore is very strong but I have not had time to clean out the years of accumulated dust yet. From first inspection though it looks good. There is no import markings anywhere that I can find on the rifle. Ser# is 1XXX. Can someone fill me in on the history of these rifles and aproximate value? (pics below) Thanks.. Donkt Pics:
Vladymere gr		#1	[-]
Posts: 2360 (05/29/08 01:09 PM) Forum Co-host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Your rifle is an engineers carbine. There where only 5300 (or was it 3500) of the 1891 cavalry carbines modified to be engineer carbines by the addition of the bayonet lug and side sling attachments. The designation is 1891/31 engineer carbine. Value would be between $350 and $450 I would think. Expect to pay even more than that for either of the two models of bayonets if you can find one. Vlad Looking for Gew.88 based sporting rifles Looking for a Lyman #22 sight for the Gew.88/Mannlicher Last Edited By: Vladymere gr 05/29/08 01:12 PM. Edited 1 times.
WVchuck		#2	[-]
Posts: 10837 (05/29/08 08:56 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	That's a nice find Don! Having that blue marker stuck in the trigger guard lessens the value somewhat. If you look really hard around the rear sight, rear sight base area, you might find a very lightly struck, very hard to see JLD, or NAACO Import stamping. About 10 or 12 years ago, those were $175 carbines shipped to your front door from JLD Enterprise.
Donkt		#3	[-]
Posts: 28 (05/29/08 09:36 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	WVchuck, Looked only marking I can see around the rear site is a letter I cannot read then a G all in a shield. Must of gotten lucky as this one doesn't appear to be one of those imports... Now I just need to decide if I am going to keep it or not... Donkt..
beanstrung		#4	[-]
Posts: 4491 (05/29/08 10:48 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I paid $210 for mine in 2002. Paid $100 for a correct bayonet in 2005 (heckuva deal at the time). I'd agree with VladymereGR's estimate for today's market. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- What part of "shall not be infringed" don't you understand? Joel 3:9-10 Last Edited By: beanstrung 05/29/08 10:51 PM. Edited 1 times.
WVchuck		#5	[-]
Posts: 10839 (05/30/08 06:27 AM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	You left out the bayonet picture! http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/d5f353e6b35823e66106d8988c918c9a15902f2.jpg
Aubullet		#6	[-]
Posts: 541 (06/16/08 10:13 AM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Donkt Very nice little Eng. Carb. especially if it doesn't have import marks and more especially if it's got a strong bore. Typically, these little beauties were used to death, and have very weak rifling remaining. The reinforcing crossbolt through the wrist on yours is an unusual feature, and was probably put there during the "upgrade?" to the engineers carbine version. Probably due to perceived wrist grain runout in the wood. The overall worn appearance of the finish on yours suggests it may be from the pre-import mark required days, as most (but not all) of the JLD import carbines were beadblasted and refinished. Another place to look for their very tiny import mark is just ahead of the bolt handle, on the right side of the receiver bridge, but due to the worn appearance you may well not have one. You really should pick up a bayonet for it if you can, as that is what the engineers modification was all about, and I actually like the cav. carb. much better because of the cleaner lines and lighter weight. But if you're going to have the clunkier version, you may as well have what the clunkiness was about, and the bayonet for this is way cool. It's either a cut-down 1879 Rolling Block bayo (German made) with brass grips and a telescopically shortened scabbard or an Argentine contractor's (Suarez) "home built" version with wood grips, and a smoopth sided scabbard. I finally got one within the last year, but must admit I got lucky getting it for under $200. Worth it though! Check ebay (where I got mine), the gun auction sites (where I see the most of them) and gun shows. Specially keep an eye out for one that is mislabeled/misidentified. If it shoots good, I'd keep it. They aren't making anymore of them you know!!!
wsmrto		#7	[-]
Posts: 386 (07/07/08 03:07 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I have several left after I sold one four years ago and still miss it. I got a bayonet about 8 years ago (full length RB with the brass handles for $75 and won't let it go for 250+ . These are great little guns that I think are great for an intermediate canyon and desert gun and I often carry one in the NM badlands (border areas) and and up in the Gila country. They are getting hard to find and just like the M-94 Sweed are going to increase in value. They also are great with cast loads for general paper and steel plate fun shooting.