I want to buy this gun...what is it?

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S&W made a single shot in the 1920's that looks similar but it has been a while since I saw it.
 
I'll take Advanced Homebuilt for $300, Alex.

Novel design, clean machine work and good blue indicate an inventive and skilled worker.
Socket head screws indicate a relatively recent project.

Ergonomic details indicate a careful worker who is not a serious shooter.
The grip shape is off a Stevens single shot, perhaps crossed with a Bisley Colt, a plan which was abandoned a long time ago.
The rear sight in the middle of the locking bar is not likely to give a clear sight picture.
 
Interesting piece. You may want to research early models of Smith& Wesson, H&R, Weber, Webly& Scott and Scott. I’ve tried searching under European .22 Single Shot Target Pistols, Russian Target Pistols and Antique .22 Target Pistols and saw quite a few with similar designs, but none matching what you have posted. Good luck searching and maybe some one will chime in and tell you what It is.
 
If it came out of Germany, or went into Germany, or was made in Germany, it was proofed and there should be proof marks. Proof marks can be used to determine a Kaiser era firearm, a Nazi era, and a post WW2 era. Show some proof marks and we can make a better guess as to the age.
 
Obviously the arm is not in my hands to see this, but I'm guessing no proofs. There might be some, but this is my guess. And Wikipedia (I know, I know) says that hex heads have been around since 1910. Not popular, but around. Also, the screws could have been replaced easily enough. We are dealing with something relatively rare, so we cannot discount the usage of "odd" fasteners. If it was built in 1920, Allen screws would not have been normal, but they were somewhat available (I don't know how available in Germany, but probably could have been figured out by a tinkerer in a machine shop or an engineer in charge of some sort of prototyping).
 
How the heck would you even adjust that for windage?

I am only guessing here, but if that pivot tightens down by means of the screw, you could get some adjustment by rotating the sight. The problem is, the more you rotate it, the narrower the rear aperture appears, so this would only work if it was fairly wide to begin with (relative to the front sight).
 
Looks like .22 LR. Could be a one-off, but it has the lines of a Walther. I'd guess Walther target pistol, not sure about the Allen heads, might put the date late than 1944-that's probably a serial number. Is it solid steel or Zamak with a barrel liner?

Good question. I can see some casting "circles" on the frame in the photo with the action open.

An associate of mine recently showed me this pistol. Said he received it from the estate of a man of German decent back in 1965. Want's to sell it, and I really want to buy it, but don't know what to offer him at all. Looks like a custom made gun. The only marking on it at all is the number 1944 stamped on the grip butt. It's a rimfire single-shot in really good condition. But boy, is it unique or what? Anyone got any ideas about its provenance?

OP, can the owner take the grip panels off? There may be some markings underneath.
 
I'm not sure what your "casting circles" are for sure, but I see a circle around the chamber. It is possible that the barrel and... receiver? What would you call that? Anyway, the barrel might be pressed into that hinge-y piece.

And can you blue zamak? Is it blue or some sort of enamel paint?

And if it is blue, it is absolutely gorgeous. Especially for a gun that might be half a century or more old.
 
S&W made a single shot in the 1920's that looks similar but it has been a while since I saw it.

Are you referring to the "Straight Line"? It does pivot, but the barrel doesn't break vertically. That isn't it, but I can see where you are coming from.
 
OK, he sent me some more pictures. While the gun is in real good condition, there is just a little bit of bluing wear on the front hinge and the back ring. Also the hex screws on the bottom show some usage marks. Still since he acquired in the late sixties, sure looks good for being over 50 years old.

Is it worth offering $500 for it? Never bought a gun I couldn't find a price for.
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