I need some help finding info on some late 19th century revolvers that my Dad has. Any kind of info would be appreciated (model number, facts/history, worth, etc.) There's also a single shot .22 in the bunch. We fully intend to keep these in the family, as they were his dad's/grandpa's, but I sure would like to know more about them. Here is all of the info I have:
Obviously, these were not stored properly. There's quite a bit of rust/corrosion on them, which makes them even harder to identify. The plating doesn't seem to be flaking off on any of them, so I imagine they could be cleaned up with the proper solvent/tools.
Gun 1 (this one obviously isn't a revolver, and probably isn't from the 1800s):
HOPKINS & ALLEN ARMS CO., NORWICH, CT, U.S.A.
“972” on the bottom rear of the barrel. “972” on the front of the handle, which is a sandwich of steel in the middle (where the 972 is) and probably walnut handle.
At the top of the handle there is a brass button (each side) embossed with a stylized “HA”. The sight on the open end of the barrel says “Lyman Reg US Pat Off”.
The barrel is 10” long, .22 caliber.
Gun 2:
Across the top of the barrel: “Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass U.S.A. Pat’d Jan. 17 & 24. 65” Second line:“July 11. 65. Aug. 24. 69. Feb 20. 1877. Reissue July 25. 1871”
In front of the rear sight: “ Pat’d Apr. 20. 73 (or 75?)” and “ Dec. 18. 1877”
“41xxx” on the bottom of the handle, probably a serial number.
“S&W” on both sides of the handle, carved or molded?
5-shot revolver.
Using the same measuring technique with calipers as used on the H&A .22 (where it measured slightly over .22), this measures .309” – using the same logic as the H&A, assuming no rust, it would be a .30 caliber.
Very short/light single-action only trigger.
Gun 3:
Pearl handled, nickel plated, hammerless, 5-shot revolver.
Full DA trigger and trigger guard.
“55xx” stamped on the bottom of the handle.
Top of barrel is difficult to read due to rust: “Smith & Wesson xxxxxx Pat’d Feby xxx” Second line: “20. 77. Dec 16. xxxxxxxxxx” then looks like “US TWO Aug. 4 85.”
In front of the rear sight, there’s about a 1” long pin lying on top of the barrel that has a scooped out part in front of it, like a place to depress this pin. It's gummed up and we didn't want to force it.
Grip safety.
Barrel diameter measures .360”
Gun 4:
“Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works (works is covered with rust)” Second line: “Fitchburg, Mass. U.S.A.”
Handle has some nice detail, including what looks like an owl with a ring around it at the top.
5-shot revolver. Hammerless.
Safety is built into the trigger as a little latch that gets depressed when you pull the trigger.
On bottom of handle: “Pat’d Apr. 6. (can’t read year – may be 86) Feb 15. 8x” Second line: “May 10. 87. Mar 13. 88. Aug.” Third line: “ 25. 96. Pat’s Pending”.
Barrel diameter measures .309”
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide! I really appreciate it!
Dave
Obviously, these were not stored properly. There's quite a bit of rust/corrosion on them, which makes them even harder to identify. The plating doesn't seem to be flaking off on any of them, so I imagine they could be cleaned up with the proper solvent/tools.
Gun 1 (this one obviously isn't a revolver, and probably isn't from the 1800s):
HOPKINS & ALLEN ARMS CO., NORWICH, CT, U.S.A.
“972” on the bottom rear of the barrel. “972” on the front of the handle, which is a sandwich of steel in the middle (where the 972 is) and probably walnut handle.
At the top of the handle there is a brass button (each side) embossed with a stylized “HA”. The sight on the open end of the barrel says “Lyman Reg US Pat Off”.
The barrel is 10” long, .22 caliber.
Gun 2:
Across the top of the barrel: “Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass U.S.A. Pat’d Jan. 17 & 24. 65” Second line:“July 11. 65. Aug. 24. 69. Feb 20. 1877. Reissue July 25. 1871”
In front of the rear sight: “ Pat’d Apr. 20. 73 (or 75?)” and “ Dec. 18. 1877”
“41xxx” on the bottom of the handle, probably a serial number.
“S&W” on both sides of the handle, carved or molded?
5-shot revolver.
Using the same measuring technique with calipers as used on the H&A .22 (where it measured slightly over .22), this measures .309” – using the same logic as the H&A, assuming no rust, it would be a .30 caliber.
Very short/light single-action only trigger.
Gun 3:
Pearl handled, nickel plated, hammerless, 5-shot revolver.
Full DA trigger and trigger guard.
“55xx” stamped on the bottom of the handle.
Top of barrel is difficult to read due to rust: “Smith & Wesson xxxxxx Pat’d Feby xxx” Second line: “20. 77. Dec 16. xxxxxxxxxx” then looks like “US TWO Aug. 4 85.”
In front of the rear sight, there’s about a 1” long pin lying on top of the barrel that has a scooped out part in front of it, like a place to depress this pin. It's gummed up and we didn't want to force it.
Grip safety.
Barrel diameter measures .360”
Gun 4:
“Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works (works is covered with rust)” Second line: “Fitchburg, Mass. U.S.A.”
Handle has some nice detail, including what looks like an owl with a ring around it at the top.
5-shot revolver. Hammerless.
Safety is built into the trigger as a little latch that gets depressed when you pull the trigger.
On bottom of handle: “Pat’d Apr. 6. (can’t read year – may be 86) Feb 15. 8x” Second line: “May 10. 87. Mar 13. 88. Aug.” Third line: “ 25. 96. Pat’s Pending”.
Barrel diameter measures .309”
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide! I really appreciate it!
Dave
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