[StuckintheUK]

Hi all,
I was wondering if I could prevail upon your collective knowledge once more.
A revolver in one of my local gun shops recently caught my eye. It’s an open frame double action only, steel frame, 3 inch octagonal barrel cap and ball in ~ 82 bore. It’s marked as RH BATE. I was wondering if any one here had encountered such a gun before and could provide any background information.
Also any idea what might be a reasonable price to expect to pay would be much appreciated.

[Jim K]

Nice looking little pistol. IIRC, 82 bore would be about .28 caliber. It is almost certainly English. Unfortunately, I can find nothing on R. H. Bate. There are gun makers by that last name listed in my sources, but all are too early except for a George Bate, Ltd. of 132, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, shown as a "current gunmaker" in a 1963 book.

I have no idea of current values in the UK, but I would guess that here the gun would bring about $400, or around 240 pounds.

Sorry to be of so little help.

Jim

[Old Fuff]

This revolver appears to be made along the lines of an Adams' Patent Repeating Pistol. Robert Adams was a major competitor of Sam Colt in the U.K. and European markets during the 1850's and 60's. In fact Adams debated Colt in an exchange held before the Institute of Civil Engineers in London on November 25, 1851. Adams style guns were made by many makers - some licensed but many not. I would expect it to have proof marks of some kind that should indicate if it was made in the U.K. or Europe - both are possible. I have no idea how to value a gun in England, given what the legal situation is.