Lookong for a historical ccw gun for my brother.

Colt 1903 Hammerless, they come in 32ACP and 380.
A Baby Browning vest-pocket pistol
An 'I' or 'M' frame S&W revolver. S&W also made vest-pocket pistols in a proprietary caliber. If my memory serves they were called Escort.

C96 with Artillery length barrel.

I LOVE the Colt 1903.

If you want a super cheap .32 similar to the Colt, there's always the Spanish Ruby

Colt Police Special. Al Capone's favorite gun.

I don't want to argue with experts who carry engraved gold inlaid $100,000 guns every day, but I have or can buy tons of very reliable guns without taking a chance on losing a valuable gun just to show off.

Jim

The FN Model 1910 in .380 ACP has a bit of historical significance.

chicharrones said:

Speaking of brothers, mine has a nice CZ vz27 with Nazi eagle markings on it. He doesn't carry it, but it would make a neat classic carry gun.

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I used to carry a Cz24 with Waffenampts. It was very accurate.

P5 Guy said:

Colt 1903 Hammerless, they come in 32ACP and 380.

S&W also made vest-pocket pistols in a proprietary caliber. If my memory serves they were called Escort.

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The M1903 is only in .32 ACP. The M1908 is in .380.
.22 LR is not a proprietary cartridge. The Model 61 was only made in .22 LR

Plenty of folks carry $1200 1911's or $1800 HK P7's daily. While I might not put that much money into a gun that is guaranteed to be seized after use, it's their nickel.

Hard to say what might tickle the carriers fancy. If it's truly a concealed carry gun it won't be for show and tell, it's entirely for the personal satisfaction of the carrier, much like an expensive watch. Most people won't know or recognize it.

It also goes to the type of gun itself - some are more readily carried than others. While Patton's personal war gun might be the grand prize in significant historical weaponry, it's also not the easiest for concealed carry. Even if it was available. For the most part it's still going to be a matter of what kind of dress is the norm every day, how that affects the location of the carry piece, and if it's reasonable.

We can guess at a lot of cool suggestions but we don't know what his preference is under his circumstances. I'd be at a loss to see how a 1911 would be a top choice in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts in Florida. An ancient .380 in the pants pocket under a mackinaw in Minnesota might not be a great choice either.

And there is also the reliability aspect of a well seasoned gun brought up out of the basement archives. A snub nosed revolver in .38 would be an across the board good choice balancing all the considerations. Jim Cirillo carried a Colt Cobra as a pocket gun, that would be a start.

Cold war era is something he finds fascinating.

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Makarov for sure. No doubt.

entropy said:

I used to carry a Cz24 with Waffenampts. It was very accurate.


The M1903 is only in .32 ACP. The M1908 is in .380.
.22 LR is not a proprietary cartridge. The Model 61 was only made in .22 LR

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My type III Colt Hammerless was roll marked as 1903, yes the 380 chambered guns came on the market in 1908.

improperlyaged said:

My brother is a huge history buff and I'm looking for a pistol that would have some historical significance for him to Ccw. I'm not talking the derringer that shot Lincoln but rather a gun model that in some way influenced history. I have been thinking a makorav, tokarev clone, or something along those lines. Any ideas?

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My brother has a NAZI marked P-38 for sale....

In terms of a handgun that "influenced history", one candidate might be the Charter Arms "Undercover" snub-nosed revolver that Arthur Bremer used to shoot Alabama governor George Wallace on May,15,1972, during a presidential primary event being held in Laurel, Maryland. Governor Wallace, an outspoken advocate for racial segregation, was paralyzed from the waist down and was unable to continue his and his running mate (Air Force General Curtis LeMay) from continuing their quest for America's highest offices.
Although it didn't "influence history" so much, I think the same type of Charter Arms revolver was used years later to assassinate Beatle's prodigy John Lennon, by Mark Chapman on December 8, 1980 in New york City.

FN 1910 in .380. Started WW1

Why would anyone want an Historical gun for CCW? Why not just buy the best type of gun that suits you; modern or not?

I see 2 really good options here, and a couple more with potential. Best-Walther PP- German issued gun during WW2, small, concealable SA/DA with manual safety. PPK if he's a James Bond fan, essentially same gun just chopped a bit. Next is a colt pocket because shortly after the turn of the century this was THE gun to carry. Vest pocket is too wimpy. The others with potential are I (eye) frame terrier smiths, colt DS, or if black powder is in the realm of possibilities, Remington pocket.

Many small caliber pistols adopted by foreign Armies were used to shoot unarmed, tied up victims in the back of the head.

Something to consider if you are looking for a actual carry gun.

The op is looking for a handgun that can be carried concealed that has some "historical significance"; one that might have in "some way influenced history". Those desired specificities kind of drastically narrows the field of choices down. I think his idea is very cool if maybe a little impractical.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/635532621

You could always try one of these. Rex Applegate of the OSS carried one even after the war.

I understand the history angle but don't confuse a hobby gun with an effective gun that is 100% reliable. I have a number of guns that are interesting old designs but concealed carry calls for a modern design to stop an assailant from sticking a blade in your gut or smashing your skull with a bat or shooting you. A good 1911 or modern revolver is as "historical" as I would get. I wouldn't want to get on the Interstate highway with a horse and buggy. Concealed carry is deadly serious business and requires a weapon that is appropriate to that circumstance.

armoredman said:

Ah, here's an idea that is functional and though not period correct, will probably flip his lid - the Cz-75 Cold War commemorative pistol. Shouldn't be too expensive and is still a 15 round DA/SA pistol.

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What the hell are they commemorating, LOSING the Cold War?

CZ, The Scientology of firearms.

My Makarov is as reliable as any handgun I have ever used. I bought it in 1988 or so, and I don't believe that it's ever malfunctioned.

I love my Colt 1903, and I believe my grandpa had a 1908, but I'm not sure that they're drop safe. Someone more knowledgeable can jump in on that one.

A similar thought... when I was a young man I used to have a pistol that seemed to be a copy of a Beretta 1934. It functioned just fine, but I eventually decided I didn't like carrying it due to the single-action mechanism.

Wasn't that what made the Walther PP and PPK such a big deal, that they were double-action and could safely carried with a round in the chamber and no safety engaged?

Many years ago I picked up a WWII Nazi PPK from Doc Avery. Neat little gun.

I was at work and brought it with me along with a box of ball just to say I shot it.

I was a Detective at the time. Smooth car, street clothes.

Got done at the range and was headed back to the station to clean guns and an officer hollered he was fighting a suspect, he broke loose and was chasing him. I was close. Whipped over there and caught the bad guy popping out between houses.

All my cop stuff was in the trunk. Except the Walther. I hopped out did the whole "Get on the Ground (insert obscenities involving lineage, incest, mental state etc) at gunpoint.

In hindsight. The Polish cop, who was born in Germany, shooting a minority suspect with a Nazi gun could have gone sideways for me....

He, apparently believing I really was gonna shoot him, preformed his role admirably and flopped face down in the dirt, arms outstretched and politely waited for me to cuff him.

Good times. Never carried a gun that "might" cause issues again.

RG 23, Hinkley seemed to think it was a good choice.

That was an RG14.

j-frame:


1911:


Both are perfectly servicable CCW's with some cool antiqueness to them.