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The AMT AUTOMAG III. By Frank Iannamico. Probably the best promotional advertising for any firearm is to be featured in a Hollywood film. An example was when the Smith & Wesson Model 29 appeared in several of the Dirty Harry movies beginning in 1971. AMT Hardballer Serial Number At the risk of offending the Admin/mods, I am posting a new thread on the Hardballer. I have looked through the 40+ threads on this subject, have found 3 closed threads, and decided to open a new one. The goal of this website is to be a complete set of reference materiel for AMT firearms, as you can imaging not all of the content on the site belongs to me and this has been a real community effort, feel free to pop over to the forum and say Hi if you want to meet some of the others who have supported this process.
- Winchester Firearms Serial Number Lookup
- Amt Firearms Serial Numbers Identification
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Make, Brand, Model or Trademark. A & F (Abercrombie & Fitch) IT/WG. A W C Systems Technology. Weight: 1.12 lbs (0.51 kg) Caliber:.380 ACP,.22lr,.45ACP,.40S&W, 9mm,.357SIG,.400COR-BON Barrel: 2 inch (5 cm) Action: Double Action Only Range: 75 ft (22.9 m).
By Frank Iannamico
Probably the best promotional advertising for any firearm is to be featured in a Hollywood film. An example was when the Smith & Wesson Model 29 appeared in several of the Dirty Harry movies beginning in 1971. The demand, and asking price, for S&Ws .44 Magnum revolvers skyrocketed and they soon became very difficult to find.
The term Auto Mag became part of the American lexicon in a 1983 sequel to the Dirty Harry film, Sudden Impact. In that film Clint Eastwood’s character inspector Harry Callahan, uses his .44 Auto Mag pistol to take down the bad guys. In the 1987 film Beverly Hills Cop II a .44 Auto Mag is used by the bad guys. However, due in part to a lack of availability, sales of the Auto Mag pistol never approached that of Dirty Harry’s Model 29.
Extractor mac. The Auto Mag Pistol
The original Auto Mag pistol was conceived and designed by Harry Sanford and Max Gera during the late 1960s. Mr. Sanford established the Auto Mag Corporation during 1969 in California. The .44 AMP (Auto Mag Pistol) cartridge was also conceived by Harry Sanford. The original cartridge cases were formed from .308 rifle brass shortened to a length of 1.298 inches. The bullet was .429-caliber 240-grain with a powder charge of 26 grains. The average velocity was 1450 feet per second with 1120-ft/lbs of energy.
Production of the Auto Mag pistol began at a factory located in Pasadena, California during 1970. The first gun was shipped to a dealer in August 1971. After producing only a few thousand pistols, the Auto Mag Corporation declared bankruptcy on May 3, 1972. The Trust Deeds Estates Corporation (TDE) of El Monte, California purchased the machinery, unfinished guns and parts. They also hired Sanford to produce the guns from the parts. In 1974 after new financing was acquired, TDE made minor engineering changes and re-tooled for complete production. In September of that year Lee Jurras signed an exclusive world-wide sales and distribution agreement for all Auto Mag pistols. Mr. Jurras not only took over distribution but also handled warranty and parts supply. By 1982 the Auto Mag was once again facing financial difficulties, the assets changing hands and logos several times before the Auto Mag pistol passed into history. In the end there were Auto Mag pistols produced with Pasadena, North Hollywood and El Monte, California addresses.
The Automag II
Automag Pistols
During 1987, the .22 magnum Automag II pistol was introduced, the Automag name now appearing as one word. The new pistol was designed by Harry Grossman and manufactured by Arcadia Machine and Tool Inc. / AMT of Covina, California; a company owned by the same Harry Sanford of the original Auto Mag Corporation. After the original AMT encountered financial problems a new company was formed in 1989 called Irwindale Arms Inc or IAI, relocated to Irwindale, California. At the 1989 SHOT show it was announced that IAI would be producing the Automag II and III.
Automag III
The focus of this article is on the Irwindale Arms Inc. /Arcadia Machine and Tool Automag III pistol, chambered for the .30 caliber M1 carbine cartridge.
The first semi-automatic pistol chambered for the .30 carbine cartridge was the Kimball, first advertised in 1955 by the J. Kimball Arms Company of Detroit, Michigan. The Kimball was billed as “The World’s Most Powerful Automatic Pistol”. The Kimball went into series production in 1958. However, the delayed blow-back Kimball quickly developed a reputation for self-destructing; the carbine cartridge proved too powerful for the pistol’s design. Only a few hundred .30 Kimball pistols were produced before the company went out of business.
The first known public advertisement for the .30 caliber Automag III pistol appeared in the February 1989 issue of Guns & Ammo magazine. The first known gun writer’s test was conducted in July of 1989, and was featured in the October 1989 issue of Petersen’s Handguns. Also featured in the article was the Irwindale Arms Inc. Javelina in 10mm, which was similar in appearance. Both pistols were marked with the IAI logo and Irwindale address. During 1990 the Automag III was placed in series production.
The Automag III is a single action, recoil-operated semi-automatic pistol whose action is based on John Browning’s tilting barrel locking system, unlocking is controlled by cam-shaped slot in the lug below the chamber of the barrel, which interacts with the slide stop axis pin. The pistol is made of a 17-4 stainless steel, with the exception of the barrel, which is 416 stainless, and the A-2 tool steel sear. The major components including the slide and frame are investment castings. The stainless steel has a bead-blasted matte appearance with the exception of the sides of the slide, which are polished. The grips are made of a black composite material. The slide mounted safety is a simple rotating cylinder that blocks the hammer from contacting the firing pin. The pistol can be placed on safe even if the hammer is not cocked, the safety does not lock the sear or trigger. A cocked hammer will fall by pulling the trigger when the safety is applied, but the safety will block the hammer from striking the firing pin. The slide stop is on the left side of the frame, it locks the slide back after the last shot has been fired from the magazine. The magazine release button is located on the left side of the frame just aft of the trigger. The single-stack, single-feed magazine holds 8 rounds. The rear sight is a Millet adjustable; the front sight is a fixed ramp. The trigger pull measured 4.5 pounds. The Automag III is similar in appearance to the classic 1911 pistol, albeit larger in size. The grip is somewhat wide, measuring 2.25-inches by 1.25-inches, necessitated by the length of the .30 carbine round. The unloaded weight of the Automag III is 45 ounces, overall length is 10.5-inches, barrel length is 6.5-inches. Field stripping procedures are very similar to the 1911 pistol.
An interesting design feature is the spring-loaded pin assembly that protrudes out of the rear of the recoil spring guide rod. The purpose of the pin is to delay the barrel in order to prevent it from jamming on the slide as it moves forward. It should be mentioned that when field stripping the pistol, special attention should be paid to the, easily lost, spring and pin.
There are different configurations of the Automag III pistol, which was manufactured under different company logos. Due to the small number of examples available to examine it is not possible to pin point exactly when certain features appeared or were deleted.
The earliest Automag III pistols in .30 caliber carbine were marked with the IAI logo of Irwindale Arms Incorporated on the slide and frame. Known examples have a locking lug on the barrel and corresponding locking groove in the slide.
Later Automag pistols were marked with the AMT logo of Arcadia Machine and Tool on the slide and frame.
The right side of the slide now included the warning “CAUTION capable of firing with the magazine removed, read instruction manual before handling this firearm”. Known examples of this variation had a small or no locking lug on the barrel, the barrel hood locked into the slide. Reportedly this variation will function without the barrel delay spring and plunger assembly in the guide rod. Two other features on the AMT pistols are a three dot rear sight and the magazine release button has a slightly different checkering pattern. The AMT marked models are more common than the earlier production IAI marked pistols.
There was also an Automag III model available in 9mm Winchester Magnum. However, many of the components differed in dimensions from the .30 carbine caliber model and swapping calibers between the two guns is not practical.
After squeezing the trigger of the .30 carbine caliber Automag III two things become immediately apparent, a huge muzzle flash and a loud report. Despite the flash and bang, recoil is relatively mild. The average muzzle velocity is 1650 to 1775 feet per second firing GI surplus ammunition. After one grows accustomed to the noise and flash, the pistol is capable of decent accuracy, shooting groups of 2.5 to 3-inches at a distance of 25 yards.
Pistols produced under the Automag name by IAI/AMT included: the Automag II in .22 WMR, Automag III in .30 Carbine and 9mm Winchester Magnum, Automag IV in .45 Winchester Magnum, Automag V in .50 Action Express and the Baby Automag in .22 LR.
After AMT went out of business in the late 1990s the company’s assets and trademarks were sold to the Galena Industries of Sturgis, South Dakota, who continued the AMT line of pistols. Galena’s assets that included tools and tooling, sixty pistols and thousands of parts were offered at auction in July of 2002.
In 2004, the re-established High Standard Corporation announced that they would make Automag pistols and now offers several models under the AMT banner. To date the company does not offer a .30 caliber Automag III.
Field stripping the Automag III is similar to the 1911 pistol.
- Remove the magazine and visibly check the chamber to ensure it is not loaded.
- Retract the slide far enough to push out the slide stop, and pull it out of the frame.
- Pull the slide/barrel assembly forward and off of the frame.
- To remove the barrel from the slide, depress the recoil rod bushing and rotate the barrel bushing until it clears the rod bushing. CAUTION the recoil rod bushing is under spring pressure.
- Remove the recoil rod, being careful to keep the barrel delay spring and pin from becoming lost.
- Remove the barrel through the front of the slide.
- No further disassembly is needed or recommended.
Despite being a proprietary cartridge for a military weapon, those who carried the M1 carbine became fond of the handy weapon. Interest was renewed during the 1960s when surplus carbines were offered through the NRA for $17.00. When the original supply of military issue carbines dried up, there were several commercial companies that introduced aftermarket copies. Before long several hand guns were produced, further increasing interest in the little .30 caliber round.
During World War II there were four experimental Smith and Wesson revolvers made for the round, the cartridges were loaded on half-moon clips. More modern handguns include the Ruger Blackhawk revolver introduced in 1968, was revised in 1973 as the New Model Blackhawk, and the Dakota single action army revolver in .30 carbine made in Italy. Also available in .30 carbine caliber was the Thompson/Center single-shot pistol, which is no longer offered by the manufacturer. Marlin briefly offered their .30 carbine caliber Model 62 Levermatic rifle from 1966 to 1969. All of the aforementioned firearms helped sustain interest in the cartridge.
Origins of the .30 Caliber Carbine Cartridge
![Amt firearms serial numbers 22 Amt firearms serial numbers 22](/uploads/1/1/7/8/117871348/698329772.jpg)
The lightweight U.S. caliber .30 carbine emerged during World War II from the need to better arm soldiers who were rear echelon support troops. The carbine was conceived to provide an offensive as well as a defensive weapon that would have far more range than a pistol. The semi-automatic carbine offered a 300 yard range and a 15 round magazine.
Cartridge, Carbine, Caliber .30
Winchester developed a new mid-range cartridge to be used in the new “light rifle”. The cartridge was designated as, Cartridge, Carbine, Caliber .30 M1. The early characteristics of the new cartridge were;
a. Bullet weight: 110 grains.
b. Charge weight: 14.5 grains
of IMR 4227
c. Primer: Winchester No. 116
d. Pressure: 31,000 PSI
e. Muzzle velocity 1,860 feet per second.
b. Charge weight: 14.5 grains
of IMR 4227
c. Primer: Winchester No. 116
d. Pressure: 31,000 PSI
e. Muzzle velocity 1,860 feet per second.
The cartridge was approved as Standard on 30 September 1941. The Ordnance Department awarded contracts to the Western Cartridge Company, Winchester Repeating Arms, Remington Arms Company, Lake City Ordnance Plant and the Kings Mills Ordnance Plant. While corrosive primers were used in WWII 30’06 and .45 ACP caliber U.S. service cartridges, the .30 caliber carbine rounds all utilized non-corrosive primers.
The original configuration of the .30 caliber carbine cartridge was changed early in 1942. The original .30 caliber 110-grain projectile had a cup style base, which tests had shown was unstable during firing, and would often leave a ring of gilding metal in the forward end of the chamber. A new flat base 110-grain projectile was designed to eliminate the problem. The type of powder used in carbine cartridge was also changed. The original DuPont powder proved to be too bulky for the small case. To achieve a higher projectile velocity a new DuPont powder was introduced. The new powder increased the carbine’s muzzle velocity to 1,970 feet per second and raised the chamber pressure to 40,000 PSI.
The new specifications for the improved carbine cartridge were;
a. Bullet weight; 110 grains
b. Charge: DuPont 4809 or Hercules 3950.8B (alternate)
c. Primer: commercial non-corrosive
d. Pressure: 40,000 PSI
e. Muzzle velocity 1,970 feet per second
b. Charge: DuPont 4809 or Hercules 3950.8B (alternate)
c. Primer: commercial non-corrosive
d. Pressure: 40,000 PSI
e. Muzzle velocity 1,970 feet per second
In September of 1944, the nomenclature of the .30 carbine round was changed to Cartridge, Ball, Carbine, Caliber .30 M1. The change, adding the word “ball”, was to avoid confusion with the newly adopted tracer and grenade launching cartridges developed for the carbine.
This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V20N2 (March 2016) and was posted online on January 22, 2016 |
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Is It Original?
June 2001
By Bruce Stark
No one wants to be taken advantage of. As a buyer or a seller, most of us have made our share of mistakes. One mistake is to buy or sell an item that we do not have an intimate knowledge of. In some cases we may rely on the knowledge of the other party to help us establish a fair price. Sometimes we later discover that we have been cheated out of a valuable item or into an item that is not worth what we thought it was. Knowledge is power.
How do you respond to a customer who has just said, “It’s too bad that your Lee Jurras gun is not an original Auto Mag”?
The word “original” has many different meanings. When this word is thrown around during the bargaining process, as in the example above, the buyer might be trying to get an upper hand through the implication that what you have is un-original. It then logically follows that your gun could be a copy, after-market, reproduction, or even a fake. In any case, you are now put on the defensive.
What do you say to the seller who proclaims that his Pasadena Auto Mag is original, and not one of those later made copies you see out there?
If the definition of “original” is taken to mean the first, then only the Pasadena guns could be considered to be original Auto Mags. Literally speaking, only the number one prototype gun could qualify as the first. Ironically this particular gun was not made of stainless steel and may not fit the definition of an Auto Mag.
![Amt Amt](/uploads/1/1/7/8/117871348/195224610.jpg)
Obviously an “original” Auto Mag would be a gun you would want as a sound investment, and a gun that would command the highest price. Let’s review the facts.
Auto Mags were made from 1971 until the year 2000 using one of eleven different names on the receiver.
1. AM, Pasadena, California
2. TDE, North Hollywood, California
3. TDE, El Monte, California
4. TDE, El Monte, California, High Standard
5. TDE, El Monte, California, Lee Jurras
6. TDE, El Monte, California, Kent Lomont
7. TDE / OMC, El Monte, California
8. AMT, Covina, California
9. AMC, Covina, California
10. AM, Irwindale, California
11. AM, Sturgis, South Dakota
2. TDE, North Hollywood, California
3. TDE, El Monte, California
4. TDE, El Monte, California, High Standard
5. TDE, El Monte, California, Lee Jurras
6. TDE, El Monte, California, Kent Lomont
7. TDE / OMC, El Monte, California
8. AMT, Covina, California
9. AMC, Covina, California
10. AM, Irwindale, California
11. AM, Sturgis, South Dakota
The first nine names were manufactured under the direction, or with the authorization of the inventor, Harry Sanford. The guns using the last two names were manufactured under license of Harry’s widow and son, Nadine and Walt Sanford.
All of the above guns are original Auto Mags. “Original” here is defined as authentic. After all, isn’t that what a seller and a buyer need to know before a fair sale can take place? If all of these guns are authentic, then what are the guns that some have called fakes and why are some collectors still gun shy about Auto Mags as investments?
GUNS AND PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN QUESTIONED
The following examples are listed in chronological order.
The prototype, experimental, engraved and .45ACP Auto Mags are well documented in the author’s book Auto Mag: The Pasadena Days. These are not guns that collectors will readily encounter.
1. Barrels made to deceive – Pasadena
For all intents and purposes, only 6.5″ .44AMP barrels were made during the Pasadena production run of Auto Mags. From time to time, barrels in different calibers and lengths have been found to have Pasadena markings. These are later made barrels that the guys in the back room marked for a buddy or a cash-wielding customer. The only reason to mismark a barrel is so it can be sold for more than it would otherwise.
2. Custom Barrels – Barbasiewicz
The North Hollywood guns were the next production run of Auto Mags. B & B Sales in North Hollywood, California distributed these El Monte manufactured guns. Bob Barbasiewicz was Harry’s production manager and head of engineering at the time. He was one of three employees that Harry retained from the Pasadena factory. Bob had lost his own personal mill to the Pasadena bankruptcy auction, and perhaps because of this Harry allowed him to produce his own line of custom barrels. Bob sold these unmarked, highly polished barrels through B & B Sales. The lack of markings was probably due to the fact that, for warranty reasons, the owner of TDE, James C. Thomas III, did not want his company’s name on Bobs’ barrels. These barrels used Pasadena receivers (barrel extensions), accelerators and rear sight assemblies. Harry authorized the manufacture of these barrels and they were sold through the appropriate distributor. I believe it would be accurate to call these barrels “custom barrels.”
3. Barrels made to deceive – Barbasiewicz
Occasionally a Barbasiewicz barrel is found to have Pasadena or North Hollywood markings. If the guys in the back room marked one of these barrels, then the barrel should be considered “made to deceive.”
4. Mismatch of barrel to frame – High Standard
In April of 1974, High Standard commissioned about 135 Auto Mags to be built using the High Standard logo. Don Mitchell was High Standard’s CEO at the time. Don told the author that only 135 “H” prefix serial numbered guns were ordered from Auto Mag by High Standard. All 135 were to be 6.5″, .44AMP guns in field grade condition. Don said that no other calibers or barrel lengths were ordered. The eventual production was 134 “H” prefix guns, 108 in .44AMP and 26 in .357AMP.
The exclusive distribution rights for the Auto Mag were then sold to Lee Jurras sometime before September of 1974. The prevailing story was that the factory was stuck with many barrels already marked High Standard and they put them on “A” prefix serial numbered frames to use them up. Although this is how the gun left the factory, these guns are a mismatch of barrel to frame because High Standard never commissioned them. A 1998 book by James Spacek titled Hi-Standard Pistols & Revolvers 1951 – 1984 revealed that several thousand “A” prefix serial numbers were reserved in High Standard’s books for assignment of Auto Mag serial numbers. A thorough investigation of High Standard’s records by John J. Stimson Jr. shows that exactly 134 “H” prefix Auto Mags were sold by High Standard in 1974. The records also show that 911 “A” prefix Auto Mags went through High Standards books in 1974 and 1975.
1) There is no evidence of a High Standard ad campaign to sell “A” prefix Auto Mags.
2) There is evidence that the TDE El Monte factory did have an ad campaign and did in fact sell High Standard Auto Mags during this period of time.
3) Lee Jurras was the exclusive worldwide distributor of Auto Mags during this period of time, not High Standard and not the factory.
2) There is evidence that the TDE El Monte factory did have an ad campaign and did in fact sell High Standard Auto Mags during this period of time.
3) Lee Jurras was the exclusive worldwide distributor of Auto Mags during this period of time, not High Standard and not the factory.
What purpose might have been served by entering the serial numbers in the serial number log if High Standard in fact did not sell them?
Perhaps the factory was selling guns out of the back door to circumvent Lee Jurras’ exclusive distribution rights, but why the High Standard records entries?
Perhaps the factory was selling guns out of the back door to circumvent Lee Jurras’ exclusive distribution rights, but why the High Standard records entries?
5. Barrels made to deceive – High Standard
Over the years custom highly polished barrels in different calibers and lengths have been seen with High Standard markings. Based on the author’s interview with Don Mitchell, these barrels should be considered nothing other than “made to deceive.” A collector at the time ordered several custom High Standard barrels from the factory. These barrels have less than no connection to High Standard.
6. Lee Jurras
While Lee Jurras was a distributor of Auto Mags he produced many beautiful custom guns. There were:
235 Custom Model 100’s .44AMP, .41JMP & .357AMP
11 Custom Model 200’s Internationals .357AMP
1 Custom Model 200 International Bicentennial .357AMP
9 Custom Model 300’s Alaskans .44AMP
5 Custom Model 400’s Backpackers .44AMP & .357AMP
5 Custom Model 500’s Grizzly’s .44AMP
2 Custom Model 600’s Condors .44AMP
1 with no model number Cougar .30AMP
3 with no model number Metallic Silhouettes .41JMP & .357AMP
11 Custom Model 200’s Internationals .357AMP
1 Custom Model 200 International Bicentennial .357AMP
9 Custom Model 300’s Alaskans .44AMP
5 Custom Model 400’s Backpackers .44AMP & .357AMP
5 Custom Model 500’s Grizzly’s .44AMP
2 Custom Model 600’s Condors .44AMP
1 with no model number Cougar .30AMP
3 with no model number Metallic Silhouettes .41JMP & .357AMP
While Lee held the exclusive distribution rights, he used “LEJ” as the prefix in his serial numbers. After Lee gave up his exclusive distribution rights, he used standard “A” prefix serial numbered frames on his custom guns.
Lee also advertised non custom model 100 Auto Mags for sale. These were “A” prefix guns with a lion’s head on the receiver. They also did not come with Lee’s custom zebra wood grips or the “Gun-Ho” case. These guns were usually drop shipped from the factory and are considered to be worth less than a Jurras distributed custom model 100 gun.
7. Custom Barrels – Kent Lomont
Kent Lomont was another Auto Mag distributor who made and sold a line of custom barrels. The barrels that Kent sold had his very distinctive animal markings.
The Groundhog .22LMP
The Fox .25LMP
The Cougar .30LMP
The Antelope .357AMP
The Grizzly .41JMP
The Bison .44AMP
.45ACP Magnum
The Fox .25LMP
The Cougar .30LMP
The Antelope .357AMP
The Grizzly .41JMP
The Bison .44AMP
.45ACP Magnum
8. Custom guns – Bicentennials
Winchester Firearms Serial Number Lookup
In 1976 Harry worked out a deal with B & B sales to create 100 Bicentennial guns. One hundred 8.5″, fully ribbed .357AMP barrels were manufactured by the factory for the job. Larry Grossman, at the factory, then hand made four highly polished guns to Harry’s specifications. They were USA1776, USA1777, USA1975 and USA1976. Perhaps because it was so labor intensive to produce the Bicentennial guns, these were the only four made in 1976. In 1977 Harry had an outside contractor, Ed O’Neil, produce six more Bicentennial guns. They had USA100 and up serial numbers. The author has found no complete record of the serial numbers that were used. The Bicentennial guns had engraved markings including a Bicentennial bell. The remainder of the custom barrels were marked TDE or TDE / OMC and were sold in field grade condition. B & B Sales never received a single Bicentennial gun and threatened to sue the factory.
9. Custom barrels – .45 Win Mag
In July of 1980 the factory, AMT, made up two experimental barrels to test the .45 Win Mag cartridge. Throughout the eighties the author distributed over 100 of these barrels for the factory. The earliest of these AMC Covina barrels came with a Behlert rear sight assembly. The later ones were fitted with Millett rear sight assemblies. The author, as a factory distributor, commissioned several custom barrels from the factory in .45 Win Mag, .44AMP and .41JMP. Some of these custom barrels were highly polished, Mag-na-ported and fitted with scope mounts. A few had laurel wreaths electro etched on either side of the AMC Covina markings.
Mismatch of barrel to frame-General
The serial number ranges used by Auto Mag are not completely reliable in determining what markings the barrel should have. Great groups of numbers were skipped to make it appear that production was farther along than it actually was. Custom numbers could be purchased from the factory and might only contain the owner’s initials. Generally, Pasadena guns run into the three thousands, North Hollywood guns run into the five thousands and TDE El Monte guns run into the eight thousands. Distributors, dealers and collectors have switched barrels and frames for many reasons. A five thousand serial numbered frame with a Pasadena Barrel could be considered to be a mismatch of barrel to frame. This would be especially true if the frame did not contain a Pasadena bolt, etc., etc. There have been cases of North Hollywood guns first being sold with A017000 serial numbers. Receipts and interviews with the first owners should resolve any mismatch questions.
Protect your investment by getting important statements in writing.
Protect your investment by getting important statements in writing.
Lunch Box Guns
While working gun shows, the author has encountered Auto Mags that were not finished at the factory. These guns are referred to as lunch box guns because a lunch box is used for smuggling the required parts out of the factory by dishonest employees. The serial number markings are either missing or of a completely different style from production guns. Without documentation, lunch box guns are to be avoided.
Reproduction or Fake Parts
The main reason that the Auto Mag was not a financial success was that it just cost too much to produce. It stands to reason that not much money can be made by making reproduction parts.
The author has cast many styles of Auto Mag grips over the years. They have always been sold by the author as reproduction grips. Some individuals have resold these grips as original factory or factory custom grips. When these reproduction grips are sold as original grips they become fakes. Words mean things.
Some very fine reproduction magazines have been made by Krasne’s Triple K Mfg. in San Diego, California. They have been offered in black and a hard chromed finish. Some people have resold them as factory original magazines.
Again, a fine reproduction part becomes a fake due to a false representation.
Again, a fine reproduction part becomes a fake due to a false representation.
Years ago a large numbers of un-welded magazine shells were put up for sale by the sheet metal shop that made them. A small time Auto Mag parts dealer bought them. He made his own very crude followers, had the shells welded and then sold them as original Auto Mag magazines. These magazines are fakes.
Mag-na-porting
The Mag-na-porting of a barrel really helps to reduce recoil and muzzle jump. Lee Jurras and other distributors have provided this on many of their custom barrels. If an individual sent a barrel in to have it Mag-na-ported he has reduced the value of his gun. Mag-na-porting helps the shooter but is a bad thing to the collector if the barrel was not originally sold with this feature.
Scope Mounts
Amt Firearms Serial Numbers Identification
Scope mounts for the Auto Mag were first offered by Lee Jurras. His earliest Custom Model 200 Internationals were fitted with a custom mount made by Kent Lomont using a Leupold M8 2X scope. Later Internationals, and some of Lees’ other custom guns, used Jim Herringshaw’s Maxi-Mount scope mount. While a distributor of barrels, the author fitted barrels with both the Maxi-Mount and the T.S.O.B. mount made by J.D. Jones. Unless the scope mount is a clamp-on type, the barrel has to be drilled and tapped to accept the mount. Again, if a scope mount was not fitted to a barrel by a distributor and originally sold this way, the collector value of the barrel has been compromised.
Polished Barrels
Some individuals have taken it upon themselves to hand polish their guns.
The factory would sometimes polish barrels and frames at the request of a customer. The difference is that after polishing the barrel, the factory would electro-etch the markings back onto the barrel assembly. Backyard polishing jobs will usually entirely remove the markings on the receiver.
Sometimes only a shadow of the factory markings can be seen. Guns found in this condition are worth much less than ones with un-modified finishes.
The factory would sometimes polish barrels and frames at the request of a customer. The difference is that after polishing the barrel, the factory would electro-etch the markings back onto the barrel assembly. Backyard polishing jobs will usually entirely remove the markings on the receiver.
Sometimes only a shadow of the factory markings can be seen. Guns found in this condition are worth much less than ones with un-modified finishes.
In Conclusion
Amt Pistol Serial Numbers
In conclusion, there are factory custom, dealer or distributor custom, and customer modified custom guns and barrels. If you were to use custom cars as an analogy, a car customized in someone’s driveway is worth far less than a factory or distributor customized car. The same holds true with guns. If you are inclined to buy a custom gun or barrel, insist on letters of authenticity, receipts or some other documentation.
What do you say to the guy who asks, “Is it original”?
You respond, “What do you mean by original?”
The author wishes to acknowledge the following sources for some of the information used in this writing:
1) L.E. Jurras’ Auto Mag Newsletters
2) Handguns magazine 2001 Annual, “Lee Jurras and his Auto Mags,” by Rick Maples
3) Hi Standard Pistols & Revolvers 1951 – 1984, by James Spacek
2) Handguns magazine 2001 Annual, “Lee Jurras and his Auto Mags,” by Rick Maples
3) Hi Standard Pistols & Revolvers 1951 – 1984, by James Spacek