Real or toy

[RustyRelic]

I feel kind of foolish if this is just an old iron cap gun. It's heavy but smallish . I think it has some potiental to be a small pistol, but wanted some opinions. Found on outskirts of new area at cavalry site. I thought most cap guns were die cast. This one is pretty heavy. I can provide more pics later if need be .

 

[UCVRelics]

Needs to be cleaned up a LOT but the tell tell will be the protrusion at the bottom of the grip.

 

[RustyRelic]

Im going to clean it more and see what it reveals

 

[RustyRelic]

here's a bit more cleaning , got a ways to go, the tip on the bottom is gone now

 

[R. Porter]

Did toys have frames with separate grips like a real pistol back in the day? I've seen cast iron toys that were one solid piece or two halves screwed together, but I don't remember seeing any with separate grips.

 

[RustyRelic]

Did toys have frames with separate grips like a real pistol back in the day? I've seen cast iron toys that were one solid piece or two halves screwed together, but I don't remember seeing any with separate grips.

That's what I was thinking but not sure

 

[dlofting]

Did toys have frames with separate grips like a real pistol back in the day? I've seen cast iron toys that were one solid piece or two halves screwed together, but I don't remember seeing any with separate grips.

It's a long ways back, but I remember cap guns having separate plastic grips.

 

[Patrick H]

Maybe wishful thinking, but I do think I see the remnant of the mainspring still attached to the grip frame. Of course, it's only the part that would have been fastened with a screw. The rest of the spring is long gone. I think it's part of a real revolver frame, although not necessarily of civil war vintage. Maybe as recent as 1910s - 20s. I have an old revolver with a very similarly shaped grip handle.

 

[RustyRelic]

Thanks for your replies. I kind of knew it wasn't a civil war pistol but I know you guys are very knowledgeable old gun experts too

 

[R. Porter]

Maybe something small like an old Iver Johnson.

 

[RustyRelic]

Best I can clean it without electrolysis

 

[Joe Whitworth]

It's real.

 

[Patrick H]

Best I can clean it without electrolysis

View attachment 565396

Now I'm definitely seeing what I think is part of the main spring. I wonder if you could find more of this frame if you searched again. I'm confident you kept searching on your first attempt.

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

It's real.

I agree.