Pinfire Revolver

Self | 5/6/18 | Vanity

[Tucsonican]

I was cleaning out a client's closet today and noticed a small pistol grip sticking out of a rag. Inside was a small revolver with a folding trigger and a hammer that looked, at first glance, as if it belonged on a percussion cap piece. After a little more looking it became obvious that it was a pinfire revolver. The cylinder is stamped "The Savety American Model 1879". On the right side it's got marks consisting of an "S" inside a circle and what may be an "L".

Here's the pics -

[Tucsonican]

If anybody has some input as to maker and value it would be greatly appreciated.

[Inyo-Mono]

You’re pictures aren’t showing up for me. Does it look anything like this one?:

http://www.lodgewood.com/Belgian-Pinfire-Pocket-Revolver-W-Holster_p_3035.html

[BBell]

No pictures dude.

[Tucsonican]

It’s very similar. On mine the loading gate swings open from the top instead of from the bottom. The octagon barrel is doggone near a dead ringer.

The images are there but, due to my “special” skills, you have to right click and “view image”.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Upload the pics ti imgr.com

[LeoTDB69]

Right clicking view the images asks me to sign in to Google account. Maybe try using one of the free image hosting sites.

[buwaya]

As per icollector.com one of a pair of these was marked as yours, the other seems to have had a French makers mark (St. Etienne), pair sold for $550 in 2011.

[Mark]

Well, whatever type it is, we KNOW it is an assault weapon.

[Tucsonican]

Let's try this -

[BBell]

Worked! Nice little pistol but a little rough.

[Tucsonican]

It’s definitely been used. The grip is in decent shape so I don’t think anyone used it for a hammer but I also suspect that it’s never seen the inside of a holster.

[kingu]

Heh, little more than ‘used’ there; that's some pretty severe pitting and looks to have been ‘cleaned’ more than a couple times with abrasives. Looks to have zero percent original finish, assuming all the mechanics work and everything is tight, you're talking about a gun that wholesales for $50 and retails for $100 (I'd mark it at $150 and give someone a great deal on it.)

If the bore is in decent shape, it's likely a shooter, 7mm pinfire, belgium proofs, IIRC 1880’s from the marks, antique & curio exempt both from age and pinfire cartridge. Last time I saw the rounds for sale, they were asking about $20 for 5.

Best use for something like that is shadowbox it into a case with some old playing cards and chips and a good gambler photo and you'd probably get $350 for it, $500 at a good venue (western show, rodeo, etc.)

[Tucsonican]

That’s not a bad idea! A shadowbox like that might look pretty good sitting in my office too...until it sells.

[Equine1952]

I’ve got an old Iver Johnson Cycle Works break top 38 rimfire pistol. I bought it for $50. It had a chrome finish that was pretty rough. I took the chrome finish off and I am going to polish it up and blue it. The bore is good and I can get some rim fire brass last time I went looking. Mainly it’s going to be a desk paper weight in my office. I have the hot blue equipment and I want to try this project because it interest me. Ain’t no money in it but wgaf.

[kingu]

Ha! My first hot blue experiment was on an Iver Johnson 38 rimfire. Was a number of years ago (30+) but seem to remember something odd about how the cylinder took the bluing compared to the frame/barrel/misc parts. Best of luck!