Pistol questions

[War Horse]

I have an opportunity to purchase this hand gun which I am told was made pre CW and used in the CW. I have no idea what it is and could find no markings on it. It is non operational and the price is $200.00. Any input would be most welcome.

 

[ole]

If it don't make Momma mad, snap it up.

 

[Private Watkins]

If it don't make Momma mad, snap it up.

If Momma's happy, we're all happy...

 

[War Horse]

If it don't make Momma mad, snap it up.

Really, you think there's some value here?

 

[Private Watkins]

There's no way to know if it was really used in the Civil War, and it's wise to be skeptical. Buy the gun, not the story... so if you like the gun as an interesting piece in and of itself, whether or not it was used in the CW, you might make an offer on it. I don't know what the market value for this type of gun would be, especially in rough condition like that, but you could scan some of the sites like Gun Broker and see if you see anything similar and what prices look like. $200 may not be a high price to put at risk compared to a lot of the stuff out there, but then it may be hard to get that much out of it if you ever want to resell given the condition.

 

[War Horse]

There's no way to know if it was really used in the Civil War, and it's wise to be skeptical. Buy the gun, not the story... so if you like the gun as an interesting piece in and of itself, whether or not it was used in the CW, you might make an offer on it. I don't know what the market value for this type of gun would be, especially in rough condition like that, but you could scan some of the sites like Gun Broker and see if you see anything similar and what prices look like. $200 may not be a high price to put at risk compared to a lot of the stuff out there, but then it may be hard to get that much out of it if you ever want to resell given the condition.

I agree there is no way to know if it was ever used in the CW. I'm just curious if anyone can identify it. I'm not really attracted to it by looks, but then again looks aren't everything. I'm really only interested if the model is recognizable and has an interesting story. Thanks Private Watkins I appreciate your input.

 

[ole]

Really, you think there's some value here?

Value as in it will be worth more in 10 years? Can't say anything about that, but if it makes you happy, that, by itself, is a value.

I could buy it, but I'm not into collecting relics. Bought a replica 1863 Remington "Zouave" musket a while ago, but it is a wall=hanger for my man-sty.

Have an idiot nephew-in-law named Adams. (Yes. That Adams.) He inherited 7 rifles from his grandfather. They were stored badly, so were not particularly collectible, but one was a tiger-maple Kentucky rifle and one was a Sharps carbine. I would have paid him a few thousand dollars for the lot. He sold all for $800.

And he believes tariffs were a major cause of the Civil War. And a graduate of West Point, as well. SPIT!

 

[Gandycreek]

I know there are lots of repros out there of that model . It has lots of problems too. I would save my money and buy a better one. There are revolvers out there that cost a couple hundred dollars more,but in the long run I think you would be better off. I personally think that one is a repro. I friend of mine has one exactly like that one and his is a repro . JMHO

 

[War Horse]

Value as in it will be worth more in 10 years? Can't say anything about that, but if it makes you happy, that, by itself, is a value.

I could buy it, but I'm not into collecting relics. Bought a replica 1863 Remington "Zouave" musket a while ago, but it is a wall=hanger for my man-sty.

Have an idiot nephew-in-law named Adams. (Yes. That Adams.) He inherited 7 rifles from his grandfather. They were stored badly, so were not particularly collectible, but one was a tiger-maple Kentucky rifle and one was a Sharps carbine. I would have paid him a few thousand dollars for the lot. He sold all for $800.

And he believes tariffs were a major cause of the Civil War. And a graduate of West Point, as well. SPIT!

Lol, You know what they say about a F**L and his money. I'm trying to enhance my man cave. As of right now I have some nice reproductions but for some reason would like an authentic center piece like the Zouave you described. The pistol is old and I agree not expensive and probably worth it just as a conversation item.

 

[War Horse]

I know there are lots of repros out there of that model . It has lots of problems too. I would save my money and buy a better one. There are revolvers out there that cost a couple hundred dollars more,but in the long run I think you would be better off. I personally think that one is a repro. I friend of mine has one exactly like that one and his is a repro . JMHO

Thank you

 

[ole]

Actual guns of that era usually have bunkled up screws. Which is not usually a given.

I'm not an expert in here. Do not listen to me.

 

[War Horse]

Actual guns of that era usually have bunkled up screws. Which is not usually a given.

I'm not an expert in here. Do not listen to me.

That's exactly what I was thinking. The screws look to modern to be vintage.

 

[hrobalabama]

This is an 1850's "Saturday Night Special." It is a large size "Derringer" (sic)
Usually it has a makers or retailers name somewhere on it. It was a pocket weapon.

 

[War Horse]

This is an 1850's "Saturday Night Special." It is a large size "Derringer" (sic)
Usually it has a makers or retailers name somewhere on it. It was a pocket weapon.

Thank you, I looked at it very closely for a makers mark or Serial number. I could not find anything.

 

[Private Watkins]

Value as in it will be worth more in 10 years? Can't say anything about that, but if it makes you happy, that, by itself, is a value.

I could buy it, but I'm not into collecting relics. Bought a replica 1863 Remington "Zouave" musket a while ago, but it is a wall=hanger for my man-sty.

Have an idiot nephew-in-law named Adams. (Yes. That Adams.) He inherited 7 rifles from his grandfather. They were stored badly, so were not particularly collectible, but one was a tiger-maple Kentucky rifle and one was a Sharps carbine. I would have paid him a few thousand dollars for the lot. He sold all for $800.

And he believes tariffs were a major cause of the Civil War. And a graduate of West Point, as well. SPIT!

Lol... Every Man-sty needs a good wall-hanger or two, and every family seems to have one of those types of nephews or cousins...

 

[Patrick H]

Have you taken the barrel off? You can sometimes find markings (proof marks and such) on the underside, near the breech end. I agree that the screw slots are in good shape for an old piece, but you sometimes find them that way. The broken tang is somewhat typical of an old piece. I think it's genuine, but that's a hunch. I see no profitability in "expertly" aging and distressing a replica of a piece that will never have a lot of value. I think if you like the piece you could buy it for the $200, or at least make a counter offer on it. Remember, though, I'm not an expert.

 

[kevikens]

If by "used in the Civil War" you mean carried by a soldier, I doubt it. These things have an effective range of the length of a phone booth. You might as well carry rocks for that kind of close combat. If "used in the Civil war" means carried by a professional poker player (or a woman of the streets plying her trade) for settling matters that went beyond reasonable discourse, then maybe. I must tell you, however, that despite its antique look there are many, many of these repros out there that are artificially aged. Though it is highly unlikely to have a serial number (if it does, it probably is a repro) it seems strange that there are no proof marks or manufactures marks somewhere on the gun. Having said that, it does have a cool factor and might look good on a wall and to the cognoscenti might spark a conversation on Lincoln. I never collect stuff because I plan on making a profit out of it. If it has eye appeal and makes you feel good to own and display it, then it's a good buy.

 

[Gandycreek]

I believe this the same style of weapon that Booth used to assassinate Lincoln.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Derringers like that were a little old fashioned by the time of the Civil War, but still being carried around in large numbers. Revolvers were kind of expensive, and really only came in 2 types: the revolving cylinder and the pepperoni (revolving barrels). Pepperboxes tended to be smaller caliber, since grouping a bunch of large caliber barrels together makes an ungainly pistol. The Philadelphia style derringer has the advantages of being eminently concealable, reliable and delivers a single large ball at a very close, lethal range. This gun may not have any numbers. Any gunsmith could make them, both in the US and Europe. The engraving looks period to me, but not remarkable. The stock is pretty simple, too, just a little checkering for the grip. There's no silver or brass inlay. So I think you're looking at a low end gun in it's day. Functional but not fancy. That little piece of ivory for a scutcheon plate seems to be the only concession to decoration. To see if it's period, pop off the lock and look at the mainspring. If it's flat, it's original. If it's rounded, it's a reproduction, or at least the inspiring has been replaced at some point. I'm inclined to think this gun might be antique, based on the stock. Reproduction designers usually have smooth stocks and no inlay. I have a Spanish one from the 70s and it's quite plain compared to this. It might be fireable, but if the lock is all original, you're temping fate.

 

[Private Watkins]

I believe this the same style of weapon that Booth used to assassinate Lincoln.

Here is the Booth Deringer... not sure I would classify the above pistol as being a close match, but there are similarities...
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