Anyone ever seen one of these?

[kurt301]

Its unusual for me to run across something that I cant find any and I mean any information on. The net doesnt have anything on this. its a 6.25
(.25cal) autoloader marked "Pinkerton Automatic" and "T.E. Pinkerton" is on the top of the grips. there isnt even another picture on the net anywhere that i can find. Does anyone know where I can find any info on this at all and what its worth might possibly be?

 

[WardenWolf]

Here you go:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/32161926/2009-STANDARD-Catalog-of-Firearms

Search "Pinkerton Automatic". It says it was manufactured by Arizaga, a Spanish manufacturer prior to WWII, and it's chambered in 6.35mm.

 

[KodiakBeer]

I suspect it's a Spanish copy of the Colt vestpocket .25. They made these with dozens of different names. There should be a Spanish proof mark on it somewhere.

 

[WardenWolf]

My link provides both info and value. Not worth very much, but an odd little piece. Looks unpleasant to shoot.

 

[kurt301]

thanks so much. I did a google search for pinkerton automatic but I didnt come up with much. I am pretty new to all of this and am just looking for some cheaper collector handgun pieces to get into. I ordered a Nagant 1895 two days ago and I have my eye out for a cz82 but when I ran across this I thought it was pretty interesting. Im guessing quality wasn't enough for it to ever become a decent collector piece though.

 

[Jim K]

While those Spanish pistols resemble the FN or Colt Vest Pocket model outwardly, they are almost all hammer type (concealed hammer, but hammer), where the FN and its Colt clone are striker fired. And most, like that one, have safety catches that only block the trigger, so they can fire if subjected to a hard blow.

Even in top condition, those Spanish guns rarely bring over $100.

Jim

 

[kurt301]

thanks Jim, It's listed on gunbroker for $250

Is there ever any good deals on gunbroker or is it all exagerated prices?

 

[Ron James]

Spanish contract pistols ( Ruby pistol ) were a specific type of pistol made under contract and sub contract for the French Army during WWI. However now the term is generic for any cheap soft steel pistol made in the Spanish Eibar region. These guns were made for the most part in the 1920's until 1936. They were made by the same makers of the French contract pistols. After WWI there were a large number of cottage gunsmiths left unemployed so they turned making firearms for export, ( most to the US). Most of these of the guns were made of very soft steel which meant low life expectancy ( for the Firearm and your own if you depended on it for self defence ) The Pinkerton is just one name used by Gasper Arizaga, Eibar Spain, 1920s to 1936.It is somewhat copy of the Browning with a few details pirated from other makers. There are no repair parts for these guns other than a parts gun from the same maker, even then the parts have to be fitted, they are not " drop in". Needless to say the value of these guns are very low. Sorry about that. BTW, 250 dollars is 200 more than the gun is worth IMHO

 

[Jim K]

Gunbroker is an auction service. The seller sets the "buy now" price and the market sets the bid amount. Some bids are (to me) much too high and far more than the item is worth, but I can't say how someone else wants to spend his money. Some folks might just want a small concealable pistol (although the new .380's and even some 9mm Luger guns are almost as small) or they might collect .25 autos or Spanish pistols.

All I can say is that I wouldn't pay $250 for any of those Spanish .25's. They are all poorly made of inferior materials, and if not functional (many are broken or worn out) no parts are available and most gunsmiths won't work on them. Plus many gun shops won't take them in trade because of liability concerns if they sell them.

Jim