[paulwi]

My father has just sent me some photographs of small handgun that he has kept for years. It was given to him by a work mate about 40 years ago. The gun appears to be quite old perhaps late 19th Century. It fires 7 shots, .22 calibre short bullets, has a short removable barrel, smooth bore. The barrel is flattened on the sides. There is no trigger guard. The trigger drops in 2 stages as the gun is cocked. There are no markings except for a stamp (I assume a serial number) 43055 on the base of the butt. The gun is pocket sized, 4 inches in length, with the barrel 1 inch longer. Not being very familiar with guns, I'm hoping my layman's description gives you some ideas. I can send the photographs if anyone thinks they can help me identify this gun.

[Jimmie]

Scan the pics?

[Working Man]

Iver Johnson?

[joab]

Velo Dog Gun

[frenchbushmaster]

+1 for velo dog
Wait your picture scan.

[Onmilo]

Sounds like a Hopkins and Allen.
The barrels were not smoothbore when new, the barrels were not very well made and cleaning and shooting has eroded the rifling away.

Do not attempt to fire the gun with modern hi-speed or standard velocity shorts.
If you really feel inclined to shoot the gun find some RWS .22 BB caps or CCI .22 short CB caps.

[SDC]

We'd really need pictures to nail it down, but a folding trigger, 7-shot revolver is almost certainly going to be a Belgian "velo-dog", "bicycle", or "puppy-dog" pistol, of the type seen below. There should be some sort of maker's marks , logos, or at least proof marks somewhere on it.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p22/StaceyC123/Zhuk.jpg

[joab]

Ain't that book great SDC