New here need help!

[pepper]

I am trying to help my boyfriend find out what kind of gun he has. We have been told several things like it is a rolling block, then it's not. That is is about 125 years old.There are only 2 markings on this gun. One is a crown over a v and the other is elg with a star on bottom.The rifleing is still in good shape.It is thought to be a 32 rimfire. No ammo for it. I will post picks if I can

 

[micksis86]

I would have a guess and say the crown over the V would indicate it's British but that's just a guess and i'm no expert.

 

[dmazur]

Searching around found this old thread -

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=333999

which seems to indicate it is a Flobert type rifle with a Warnant up-swing action.

Stronger than the original Flobert design, but probably not safe for any modern ammo.

 

[DukeNukem]

Here's a pretty good website for proofmarks. http://www.shotguns.se/html/belgium.html I know next to nothing about this sort of thing, but an ELG Star mark is probably Liege, Belgium and a Crown V is probably London. At least that's what seems to match up with what's on the website. So, possibly a barrel imported from Belgium by a London gunmaker? Or maybe just a Belgian rifle reproofed in London?

 

[pepper]

Thanks for all your help. I have looked up the proof markings on this gun and it could be that it crossed through Brittan at some point. I do think it is a Liege gun. It has an octagonal barrel. Is there anyway to find out definatively what it is or who would want a gun like this. There are no other markings on this gun. . Thanks

 

[Art Eatman]

PM Mike Irwin. If he doesn't know, he'll likely know a source.

Also, try your luck at http://www.thehighroad.org/forumdisplay.php?f=31

 

[Mike Irwin]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Art, but I don't know much of anything about those parlor guns.

I'm not sure that anyone really does.

There were just so many makers in so many countries and they were all working in similar styles.

 

[pepper]

Does anyone know of a market for these"Parlor" guns? Where would be the best place to sell one? Is an antique auction my only choice? It is just collecting dust and has no value to us. We have been told that it is worth between 4 and 9 thousand dollars. That is a big difference. Are there collectors for these types of guns and if so, do you know any? Thanks

 

[Mike Irwin]

"We have been told that it is worth between 4 and 9 thousand dollars."

Hum.

I actually find that very hard to believe. Well, sorry, but no, I simply don't believe it.

With no obvious maker's markings or reference, your gun seems to be right in the middle of the "middle of the road" both in terms of quality and desirability.

It doesn't have any of the features that would distinguish it from any of the other hundreds of thousands of low priced parlor guns that were made from the 1860s to the early 1900s.

While I could be wrong, and there could be something unique and special about your gun, my best estimate on price is that it's worth maybe $250 TOPS, and I think that is being generous.

 

[Buzzcook]

We have been told that it is worth between 4 and 9 thousand dollars.

Take the gun back to the person who gave you that price and offer to sell it to them for $3000.

 

[natman]

We have been told that it is worth between 4 and 9 thousand dollars.

That's possible, but not very likely unless there is something really unusual about this gun. Try asking the guy who told you it's worth 4 - 9 thousand dollars if he'll actually give you $4,000.

If it's in 32 rimfire, there no ammo available, which is just as well because it probably shouldn't be fired.

 

[pepper]

Thanks for the input. We will take it back to the guy that wants to give us 4 thousand dollars for the gun. It is just collecting dust and has no sentamental value.