Identify this gun?

[aaaaa]

Wife found this posted on social media and it is a very curious looking gun. The person who posted it says,

I found this antique Gambler's poker kit at the Goodwill Outlet two weeks ago and was mind blown. It includes a very old deck of cards, bone dice, clay poker chips and a pistol. Yes that's correct a PISTOL! The little gun has maker's marks and the number 85 on it. I can't find any information on it but I was told it shoots .22 short. This is a once in a lifetime find and I had to share it! The goodwill outlet charges $1.59 per pound so I paid just over $4 for this thanks to the weight of the box.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Flobert style parlor gun?

 

[lee n. field]

Possible the Goodwill didn't recognize it as a real gun?

 

[Tall]

It's older than 1899 so it would not be classified as a firearm. Pretty cool. For $4 it would have been mine too.

 

[beag_nut]

All I can say is: "Holy Mackel!".

 

[CapnMac]

It's older than 1899 so it would not be classified as a firearm

Federally, yes. Each of the States will differ. Some more, some less, strict.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

That's a cool piece of history. I'd have snapped it up too.

 

[tark]

That may be the best $4 you ever spent...but I hope you're not planning on shooting that thing. Modern shorts, even CB shorts would probably strain the gun to the point of failure. BB caps would probably be safe...good luck finding any. All warnings aside, you have a fascinating piece of history there!

 

[Jim Watson]

While not one of the true Flobert designs, it would have been CALLED a Flobert in Europe because it is a cheap single shot.

As part of an outfit, that is first class bric-a-brac.

 

[MedWheeler]

As above, I wouldn't shoot anything modern in it above a CB or BB cap. It was probably made for what we now call .22 Short, but back when black powder was used.

Cool find. Thanks for sharing.