That is a topic of my article Bill. At least as it relates to 1/2 frames. Sine my writing was about a gun (226709) that was long thought to be something it is not. TPS assumed that number 226709 was an experimental gun for the 1/2 frame. But in my finding of this gun and documenting of it, it is in fact an experimental gun, but it is nota 1/2 frame. It is a 1-1/2 frame. It was my conclusion, that in the days prior to the use of rubber stamps for frame sizes In the stock books, that all 1/2 hand written entries were actually to mean 1-1/2 size. This hand written period covered about 4 years if I remember correctly.
My suspicion is that if Stock books were to examined after the rubber stamping for frame size was used, a 1/2 size would NOT be found recorded in Meriden records.
Regarding value... Anything that is hard to find and carries mystique is going to command a premium. In general, Ilion made guns can command some premium due to be few were are in the grand scheme of things.
Many assume the 1/2 frame as be some ultra light 12g. But many who own or have inspected legit 1/2 frame guns find they are not all that much lighter than 1 frames.
For anyone out there that does not get the DGJ and is wondering what I am speaking about. I urge you... Order the Summer 2013 issue and enjoy it.
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B. Dudley
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