Help identifying an old Arminius HW3 .32 S&W snubnose I inherited?

[clmautz]

Can anyone help me ID and learn about a 7 shot .32 S&W Long snubby I inherited? When it was made, etc.

It's an 2" Arminius HW3 snubnose revolver, Made in Germany, Ser. # 161XXX. Very heavy, so I don't think it's zinc. You pull the extractor lever forward to swign out the cylinder.

Thanks. I'll get some pictures posted real soon.

Any websites, books, or info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Oldnamvet]

http://www.pmulcahy.com/revolvers/german_revolvers.htm

http://66.218.71.231/language/trans...se/weihpist.html&lp=de_en&.intl=us&fr=sbc-web

These sites have some info. The first is not a trustworthy source in my opinion. The second one is a catalog (translated from German) with pictures. Do some google searches and you will see various ones pop up.

 

[clmautz]

thanks for the info

I have seen that first site, those figures are for a game of some sort. Don't remember my pistols being rated for damage (+1, -1, etc.)

My HW3 is similar to the 3rd one down on that second link:

- Frame looks identical
- My extractor rod is not shrouded
- My HW3 doesn't have the push button to release the cylinder, you pull the extractor out to release, and push to eject
- My front sight is a ramp, but much smaller/steeper, not sloped back to the frame as this one is
- My grips are small, brown plastic, very compact. This one has Bulldog Gummigriff (gummy rubber bulldog grips?)
- Both are 7 shot .32 S&W Long
- Mine appears to have no hammerblock safety, the new one does
- Rear site looks identical

Thanks for the info!

 

[JohnBT]

The Arminius listing in the Standard Catalog of Firearms says to look at the listing for Hans Hermann Weihrauch...

Model HW-3 - Double action, solid frame, swing-out cylinder revolver chambered in .22lr or .32 S&W Long with a barrel length of 2.75" and a cylinder holding either 7 or 8. Blued, with walnut grips. In America this revolver was known as the Dickson Bulldog. In Europe it was the Gecado. 1999 price in 100% condition was $100.

"These pistols (HW-3, -5, -7, -9) all carry the Arminius trademark, a bearded head wearing a winged helmet."

John