Can you identify this handgun?

[massnee]

Can anyone help me identify this handgun?

 

[Gbro]

You have a nice little Pin Fire there.
It looks like a Webley, but it could be an imatation.
Check out this link, scrol down and you will find one that looks very simular.http://www.rememuseum.org.uk/arms/pistols/armfppp.htm

 

[Ron James]

Inexpensive Belgium pinfire, made by the bushel by cottage industry Belgium gun makers. Otherwise, don't have the foggiest. Sorry about that.

 

[Gbro]

Here is a link to ammunition for a gun like yours, However it shouldn't be fired. Pinfire ammo is much more dangerous as it has been reported to go off by dropping. (how do i know? ---- I don't)

http://www.collectorssource.com/category.asp?catid=7

 

[massnee]

how much is this gun worth?

 

[OPOEFC]

You didn't state the caliber, but I'm guessing it is either 7mm or 9mm. If it's in good mechanical condition it will bring about $225 to $275 at most antique gun shows. Add $50 if it's 11 or 12mm.

 

[brentn]

I had no idea that kind of cartridge even existed... pinfires are crazy! I just finished googling them for the last 20 minutes, very interesting. Anyone else who has not heard of pinfire before should do the same, neat stuff.

 

[Deanimator]

I had no idea that kind of cartridge even existed... pinfires are crazy! I just finished googling them for the last 20 minutes, very interesting. Anyone else who has not heard of pinfire before should do the same, neat stuff.

If you can find a first edition of A.B. Zhuk's book of line drawings of handguns, you'll find page after page of pictures of various types of pinfire revolvers. You'll find everything from 7mm pocket guns, to 11mm and 12mm service revolvers to 20 shot monstrosities with two rows of chambers in the cylinder.

 

[SDC]

There are even a number of people who RELOAD for their pinfire guns (but I wouldn't suggest it unless you've had yours thoroughly checked out); they replace the internal cap with a new one and measured powder charge, then seat a new cast bullet on top. Here's a photo showing how they're constructed inside:

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Pinfire revolvers are usually very simple designs,
since the firing pin is in the cartridge. That leads
to a less expensive gun, but more expensive ammo.
For what it's worth, they also made pinfire shotguns.
Very interesting side chapter in the history of guns.