What is this old gun?

[Mrgunsngear]

Can anyone tell me what this gun is? My grandfather was from the Springfield MA area and was a WWII (European theater) vet. We found this in his house. It has no numbers or markings on it besides decrative etching. It swings open and the barrell is larger than a 9mm and smaller than a 45. Thanks.

 

[SDC]

It looks to be a Belgian "saloon pistol", but we can't really narrow it down past that without any more information on the markings and close-up pictures; you should be able to swing the under-lever to one side to tip open the barrel, and there will be several stamps on the bottom of the barrel that should tell us when it was proofed and who the inspector was.

 

[Mrgunsngear]

A few more pictures

I don't know why (maybe the finish?) but the gun doesn't photograph well...

 

[Mrgunsngear]

...and a few more.

A couple more photos.

 

[Ideal Tool]

Hello, plouffedaddy. It looks to be a pin-fire. I have a double brl. one

 

[Locoweed]

It looks like a 12mm Pinfire in caliber. Looks like a slot in the barrel at the breech allowing a pin to stick through and the hammer is angled sharply down.

 

[Mrgunsngear]

I agree with ya'll on that one. I definately think it is a pin fired gun. Thanks for the help and keep it coming. I just wish I could ask my grandfather where he got it. Perhaps it's more fun trying to unlock the secrets on my own though...

 

[Mr.trooper]

My first though was 'Belgian saloon pistol' as well.

The fact is that these things were very popular at one time - made by everyone in every caliber, and in a hundred different levels of quality.

Fact is that even if you can find proof marks, we may not be able to tell you much more, as not all proofs are known.