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Bauer .25 Auto
Q: I recently acquired a Bauer .25 automatic handgun. It is has a stainless finish, and brown wooden handles.  The serial number is 081XXX.  The gun is in 95- to 100-percent condition, and it has never been fired.  Please tell me a little bit about the history of this gun, its reliability and durability--and its approximate worth.  Thanks.
—E.G., Charlotte, NC

A: Bauer .25 autos were basically copies of the Baby Browning, made in stainless steel. They were manufactured in Fraser, Michigan from 1972 to 1984. Quality was okay. According to the Twenty-Ninth Edition Blue Book of Gun Values, an unfired 100-percent condition Bauer .25 is worth $150. A Bicentennial Model, which came in a case with an engraved belt buckle, is worth twice that.

Smith & Wesson 1917
Q: I read your recent piece on the 1917 S&W .45, and I have a stainless or nickel-plated S&W DA .45 with "U. S. Army" stamped on the butt. The trigger, hammer and cylinder- release button are gold-colored, and the gun has original-looking wooden grips. The serial number contains six digits, and there is a six-digit number inside the cylinder. Can you give me any info on it? 
—S.J., Philadelphia, MS    

A: Sounds like someone got creative and refinished an original military-issue Smith & Wesson Model 1917 hand-ejector .45. to a bordello configuration--the only thing missing is a set of pearl grips! Unfortunately, all the nickel/gold job did was reduce the gun's value as a collector's piece.
                                                                                          
Winchester Model 1890
Q: I am interested in obtaining information about a rifle that belonged to my father. It is a Winchester Model 1890, .22 Long Rifle, with the serial number 746XXX. I would like to have a rough idea of when this rifle was manufactured. The most recent patent on it dates from May 30, 1911—so I'm sure that manufacture was after this date. The rifle was well used and is in only "good" condition, at best, with several old rust spots on the barrel. I can't even tell if it had a blue or a plum finish. Value is of interest only for insurance purposes, since I would never sell it. Thanks for any information that you can provide.
—E.C., Albuquerque, NM

A: The Winchester Model 1890 pump-action .22 rifle was manufactured from 1890 to 1932, though guns remaining in inventory were sold until 1941. Early versions had case-hardened frames (in both standard and takedown configurations), and later ones were blued. They are popular with collectors and shooters. The serial number on your gun indicates it was made in 1931. Value, in the condition you describe, is in the $200 to $275 range.

Ortgies Auto
Q: I'm writing from Sweden; I can't find anything here about a particular handgun. It's a small gun like the Walther PP—but this one is earlier. What I know is that it was manufactured in Erfurt sometime in the 1920s (1924-1928). I also know that Ortgies had a patent for this handgun. On the side of the gun (frame, right side) there is an "N," and a crown. I think this means that it's been Nitro-proofed. On the left side it says "Deutsche Werke Erfurt." What I want know is if there is a collector's value for this gun. If so--what is it worth?
 —Q.A., Helsingborg,  Sweden

A: It certainly sounds like you've got an Ortgies auto pistol. Originally manufactured in .32 ACP (7.65mm) by the inventor, Heinrich Ortgies, following World War I, the little repeater proved to be so popular that the rights were purchased from Ortgies in 1921 by Deutsche Werke, which offered it in .25ACP (6.35mm), .32 and .380 ACP (9mm Kurz) calibers until the early 1930s. These guns were nicely made, and they functioned well. While most were blued, I have seen nickled and engraved versions as well. Many thousands were exported to the United States. Desperado John Dillinger even carried a .25 Ortgies at one time. Value on your piece, assuming it's in 50- to 60-percent condition, is in the $200 to $325 range. You'll have to convert that into krona yourself.