Chapter 199 The Antique Gun (2/2)

Shotgun shells at that time used black powder as a propellant, and so the M1887 shotgun was designed and chambered for less powerful black powder shotshells as well.

There was another model, the M1897, which together with the M1901 became the most popular shotgun for a period of time in the American market. Although the M1897 was superseded by the M1912, it could still be found today in regular use.

The Winchester M1887 started production in 1887 and stopped production in 1901. There were a total of sixty thousand guns produced during that time period.

Although sixty thousand appeared to be a lot, in big countries like the United States— especially after more than a century after the gun was produced—it would be extremely rare to find such an old gun.

Any firearm collector in the States would be thrilled to add an M1887 to their collection.

The treasure hunters could not contain their curiosity, for a century-old gun had appeared right in front of them. They crowded around Hans and asked:

”Is that the real deal? Which factory did it come from?”

”This looks so well-kept that it seems like a knock-off. Australia, China, and Italy have copied and produced M1887—you’re sure this is not an imitation?”

”Why’s it silver? I’ve never seen a gun like this. It seems like a toy to me!”

Hans spun the bolt of the gun and it made a snap sound.

Hearing this sound, the treasure hunters knew that it was not a toy gun—that was the loading method of a lever-action gun.

Hans’s eager expression grew more excited as he stroked and inspected the gun carefully.

”This is absolutely the M1887! It’s an original. Look at this, it says ”Winchester-Model-(M)-5525”—the serial number, which means this is the 5,525th gun produced!”

”D*mn, this thing is valuable,” an envious treasure hunter said. ”If this antique gun still works, I bet it could fetch a price of at least 20,000 dollars!”

Hans disagreed. ”Twenty thousand dollars? Pals, look at this silver coating, and look at the patterns too—I bet this is a custom-made shotgun!”

Li Du was confident that this century-old gun was definitely an original; otherwise the little bug would not have been attracted to it. But as for whether it was custom-made, he couldn’t tell.

A treasure hunter squeezed his way through, and asked, ”Could I have a look at the insignia?”

Hans handed the gun over and introduced the man to Li Du. ”Tim Troy—he knows a lot about the aristocracies in Europe and America—”

”Rose thorns encircling a flying pelican,” Troy exclaimed, ”and there’s a shield in front of the pelican. There’s something on the shield. Ah! It’s a rapier! Okay, I know who the gun belonged to!”

”Who was that?” The treasure hunters waited eagerly for the answer.

Troy replied, ”The Boston Rudolf family, descendants of an aristocrat who was active during the 19th and early 20th centuries.”

Troy shook his head and continued, ”However, there is little, to no news, of the family now. During World War II, they were allies with the Japanese. After we declared war on the Japanese, many of their businesses went bankrupt.”

Hans was overjoyed. ”Without a doubt, this gun is definitely precious!”

Troy was certainly jealous. ”Of course! D*mn, I studied so much about aristocratic cultures and their history, but I’ve never encountered something like this! God is unfair!”

Freddy was green with envy. He couldn’t believe his eyes. ”This type of gun is found in this kind of house? Impossible! Who would leave something like this behind?!”

Li Du smiled. ”Who knows? God blesses the good. Pal, don’t be such a bully, be kind.”

”What a close shave! Fortunately I offered 4,000 dollars!” Hans said in a thankful tone. ”If I hadn’t, this unit wouldn’t be ours!”

Freddy was so full of jealousy that he felt his heart was crying out in pain—the house had almost belonged to him!