Freedom Arms Mini Percussion Revolver

[Clermont]

I previously posted this on another forum. In 1985 I special ordered from Freedoms Arms, a .22 cal. mini percussion revolver with factory engraving and real ivory grips with an eagle scrimshawed on one grip and an native American Indian on the other grip. I also ordered the Freedom Arms presentation case and premium belt buckle with gold and silver plating. I also have the standard Freedom Arms mini percussion revolver and belt buckle, shown for comparison. Both revolvers are new and each has the standard accessories, manual and warranty card. The holsters are Freedom Arms and are the clip-on type. Do these have any collector value?

 

[kBob]

No value what so ever, mail it to me to be rid of it at ....

OK truth is I have no idea about value. I think they are cute little guns and that teeny-tiny flap holster is spiffy.

-Bob Hollingsworth

 

[mykeal]

According to the Fifth Edition (2007) of the Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Arms, pg 98, the Freedom Arms .22 cal stainless steel 5 shot mini revolver in 100% condition is worth $250 alone and $290 with brass buckle. There is no premium listed for the presentation case.

The Blue Book is a guide only; actual prices can and do vary considerably in either direction.

 

[dustyroads3]

have you sold them ????

 

[Clermont]

No, I haven't. I was curious as to it's value. I've taken better quality photos.

 

[Voodoochile]

That's a beautiful little smoke wagon you've got there.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I have only seen one of those for sale before, used on gunbroker. I didn't follow it so I have no idea what the ending price was.
My 2000 edition blue book shows the same value that mykeal listed. I would consider that the minimum value myself. It may have a limited market but it is a rare item.
If you consider selling them, PM me, please.

 

[wyocarp]

So have you decided on the asking price?

 

[Smokin_Gun]

I got one a them Freedom Arms .22 C&B's, They aren't made anymore somewhat collectables now...(North American Arms took um over), two holsters, two sets of grips, 2 dippers .3cc, two loaders, a spare cylinder pin, and enough conicals two last a lifetime with this lil' Stailness Steel five shooter...


SG

 

[HUnter58]

Not to get of the subject here, but this new NAA would be nice if offered in black powder.

 

[Clermont]

Freedom Arms Belt Buckle

Two additional options Freedom Arms offered, that I chose not to get, were a long chain attached to the bottom of the backstrap, which meant drilling a hole for the stud that the chain attaches to, for wearing the mini revolver around the neck hidden beneath clothing. The other option was a "gold wash" finish that I felt wouldn't be durable.

The Freedom Arms mini revolver belt buckle came with a stainless steel stud that replaces the sideplate screw. Behind the buckle is a formed wire spring that, as the mini revolver is placed into the buckle and the stud passes through an opening in the buckle, "captures" the stud, retaining the mini revolver in the buckle. Pressing the button between the grip and trigger spur, forces the spring apart, releasing the mini revolver.

 

[DoubleDeuce 1]

I had the opportunity to shoot a couple of those revolvers several years ago. They both took the .22 cal cartridge. After only a very few shots, the revolver I was shooting ground to a halt. The cylinder pin had broken. The second revolver lasted a little while longer before the cylinder pin broke on that one also. The guy who owned them both said it was not uncommon for that to happen in his experience. He had them repaired a couple of times each for that problem.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

With .3cc of Black Powder w/ a conical or maybe up to .5cc with a .22" R.B. Buckshot is all the Freedom Arms will hold, won't come close to causin' Breakage, just keep um lubed...fun though... :O)

SG

 

[Jethro2478]

Thank you freedom arms

It's great to know there are others out there that appreciate these. I am very interested in purchasing anything that has to do with the Freedom Arms mini revolvers. I will pay top dollar for whatever it is, and I also love any information you might have on the small differences each of them have. One of my cylinders is not fluted, was this a special order? Why do some say casull's improvement, and some do not. As a child my father took me to the factory in Wyoming, but I don't really remember that. I'm willing to purchase or trade, and was in the 101st airborne for almost seven years (just saying that for character resume purposes). Feel free to email me or we can continue discussing this on this forum. These are interesting times and I urge everyone to get their gun buying and trading wishes filled before our government does what all governments do which is whatever they can get away with.

 

[Clermont]

North American Arms Limited Edition Companion Mini and Super Cap & Ball Revolvers

In 1997, I purchased a matched set of North American Arms Limited Edition Companion Mini and Super cap & ball revolvers. Apparently three thousand sets were manufactured. Mine are both serial numbered 0156/3000. The barrels, cylinder flutes, the entire widths of the revolvers, and the sides of the frames forward of the cylinder are gold plated. The grips are pearlite. The hammers, triggers, and cylinder pins are, I believe, teflon coated. Each revolver came in it's own box with all loading accessories and included clip-on holsters. I paid $320.00.

 

[batjka]

Sorry for resurrecting the old thread. For some reason this is frowned upon here...

Anyway, I have a Freedom Arms percussion revolver coming to me in the mail. No accessories though. Can't wait to get it.

Where can I get a loader for it? Does anyone have a photo of the correct Freedom Arms loader? Is it different from the NAA loader for their Companion line? Do you use NAA bullets? How are these things shooting using Bullseye as per FA manuial?

Lots of questions. I'm excited.

Thanks.

 

[Ratdog68]

Congrats on it !! Post up the pix when you get it !

 

[Clermont]

You can substitute whatever you're missing, using the NAA Mini C&B powder measure, bullets, and bullet seater. NAA also produces the Super C&B mini revolver based on the longer magnum cylinder, not the same as your Freedom Arms mini.

 

[Clermont]

When I collect, I try to acquire the smallest and the largest. Notice how the Walker revolver looms over the Freedom Arms mini blackpowder revolver.

 

[Wolfebyte]

One sat in a local pawn shop here for several months.. asking price was 210.00

I think they let it got for 180.00 didn't have the buckle though..

 

[batjka]

Well, the Freedom Arms mini finally arrived yesterday. It is definitely a thing of beauty. I am a little disappointed, however.

I bought it from a seller online. The description stated that the revolver is in excellent condition. That is not, however, how it arrived. The firing pin spring seems to be broken or incorrectly installed and the firing pin does not retract, binding the cylinder. The cylinder bolt is stuck. Looks like someone took off the side plate and put it back incorrectly binding the stop. Or the cylinder stop return spring is broken as well. And last but not least the cylinder is missing two nipples.

I emailed the seller asking for $40 back in order to compensate for the defects. The seller just emailed that he agrees.

I need to take the revolver apart to see if the cylinder stop can be fixed. I will have to take the side plate off. Has anyone tinkered with these? Where can I get parts? Will NAA nipples fit?

I'm thinking of emailing FA to see if they have parts in stock. If I can't fix it, I guess I'll have to find someone that works on these.

Other than that, I really like the revolver. Looking forward to shooting it once the issues are ironed out.

Any and all advice is welcome.

 

[Clermont]

To: Batjka

On another website forum, you stated that you believe a total of 500 Freedom Arms cap & ball mini revolvers were manufactured. Can you indicate the source of your information?

 

[batjka]

When I was researching the FA minis I came acrosss these figures. I would have to trace my research back in order to find the origin. I will be talking to FA's gunsmith about the malfunctions of my gun and will ask him to verify the figures. If you would like his phone number I can provide it.

 

[Boom-stick]

Here's My FA, that I picked up a few years ago with it's Big brother.








Got the full kit with it, leather case, loader, scoop etc. Since sourced another cylinder from Freedom Arms along with a load of spares that they still carry for it, main spring, spare nipples etc...

It's a good fun bit of kit and I use it with bullseye as stated in the manual.
I have stripped it down to swap out springs etc but I wouldn't advise it, the things are built like a pocket watch, lots of very small parts to fly off the table when you sneeze....

 

[Boom-stick]

BTW, if anyone knows of a belt buckle going , please let me know as I would like to get my hands on one.