Revolver by A.Francotti in .25 ACP?!

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I saw this on Gunbroker a few years back and sent the link to my wife asking, "Is this not the most adorable gun you've ever seen?" She agreed that it was and bought it for me for my birthday. Francotti made these revolvers from 1912 -1914, and this one is in remarkable condition. The DA trigger is short, light and glass-smooth. I shoot it occasionally but mainly is just a conversation piece and object of delight.

 

[Gordon]

Absolutely Uber kewl. Lucky I didn't see it !

 

[Miami_JBT]

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I saw this on Gunbroker a few years back and sent the link to my wife asking, "Is this not the most adorable gun you've ever seen?" She agreed that it was and bought it for me for my birthday. Francotti made these revolvers from 1912 -1914, and this one is in remarkable condition. The DA trigger is short, light and glass-smooth. I shoot it occasionally but mainly is just a conversation piece and object of delight.

I want one. I like oddball things like that.

 

[Mark_Mark]

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I saw this on Gunbroker a few years back and sent the link to my wife asking, "Is this not the most adorable gun you've ever seen?" She agreed that it was and bought it for me for my birthday. Francotti made these revolvers from 1912 -1914, and this one is in remarkable condition. The DA trigger is short, light and glass-smooth. I shoot it occasionally but mainly is just a conversation piece and object of delight.

if a S&W break top had a baby with a Beretta Bobcat

 

[MIKR410]

I have always been curious about whether or nor any .25 acp revolvers had been made. What an interestng piece. Any plans to make a video on it?

 

[EMC45]

I like it. The MOP grip panels are really pretty.

Also looks like the cylinder base pin can be used to knock out the empties.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I have always been curious about whether or nor any .25 acp revolvers had been made. What an interestng piece. Any plans to make a video on it?

There is a video, one of the first I ever made.

 

[bannockburn]

Why, dare I say, that's one really "cute" revolver!

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Nice find! A kinda-sorta Velo Dog revolver that you can still find ammo for. Those cylinder stops are way cool!

JM Browning really liked autopistol cartridges with a semi-rim. These are relatively easy to use in break-open revolvers, though the small diameter rims can slip under the ejector star pretty easily.

 

[Gordon]

I have always been curious about whether or nor any .25 acp revolvers had been made. What an interestng piece. Any plans to make a video on it?

Actually, a lot of those European Velodog-type revolvers were made at the turn of the century up till WW@. They come up on GB regularly, but Tinker's specimen is by far the best I have ever seen!

 

[EMC45]

That would definitely make an appearance as my mailbox/PJs gun

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Its funny, Francotte was known for relatively cheap bicycle-guns and very high-end bespoke shotguns with not much in between.

Nice score, Mike.

 

[Archie]

It is collectable as being in the class of "Great idea! Too bad it didn't work." Lest you be offended, I collect .25 ACP pistols (not revolvers) from the early days of smokeless powder. Not for shooting, for history.

Great example of tried and failed. The fact it is no longer (and likely not long) made is evidence of shortcoming. But it is interesting. And likely rather unique.

 

[45 Dragoon]

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I saw this on Gunbroker a few years back and sent the link to my wife asking, "Is this not the most adorable gun you've ever seen?" She agreed that it was and bought it for me for my birthday. Francotti made these revolvers from 1912 -1914, and this one is in remarkable condition. The DA trigger is short, light and glass-smooth. I shoot it occasionally but mainly is just a conversation piece and object of delight.

Hey!!!! Its got an arbor!!! I like it !!!

Mike

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

It is collectable as being in the class of "Great idea! Too bad it didn't work." Lest you be offended, I collect .25 ACP pistols (not revolvers) from the early days of smokeless powder. Not for shooting, for history.

Great example of tried and failed. The fact it is no longer (and likely not long) made is evidence of shortcoming. But it is interesting. And likely rather unique.

Not so much a failed idea; production of .25 ACP revolvers was halted during WW1, and after they seemed rather pointless. Semi-autos supplanted tiny revolvers for the most part; they were better suited to task and actually easier and cheaper to produce. .25 ACP came late to the game for tiny revolvers, arriving at a time when they were already being supplanted by tiny semi-autos.

 

[Archie]

Not so much a failed idea; production of .25 ACP revolvers was halted during WW1, and after they seemed rather pointless. Semi-autos supplanted tiny revolvers for the most part; they were better suited to task and actually easier and cheaper to produce. .25 ACP came late to the game for tiny revolvers, arriving at a time when they were already being supplanted by tiny semi-autos.

No one seemed to want it in the long run. That's what I consider 'failed'. I should think the device worked as designed and manufactured; just not enough people bought it.

 

[armoredman]

I think it's nifty, and I echo above - I want one, especially in that nice of condition.
Some tiny revolvers in dinky calibers stayed around for quite a while, one example being that the H&R Young America in .32SW was produced for 57 years, and only stopped production in 1941 with the beginning of WWII. It ain't QUITE as small as that one, but fits in the palm of my hand.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I think it's nifty, and I echo above - I want one, especially in that nice of condition.
Some tiny revolvers in dinky calibers stayed around for quite a while, one example being that the H&R Young America in .32SW was produced for 57 years, and only stopped production in 1941 with the beginning of WWII. It ain't QUITE as small as that one, but fits in the palm of my hand.

I have a Victor in .22. It's quite small. With the same barrel length and grip size as this it might be as small.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

No one seemed to want it in the long run. That's what I consider 'failed'. I should think the device worked as designed and manufactured; just not enough people bought it.

Fair I suppose. But revolvers of this type, though differing in details, were popular for decades and literally tons of them were sold. They were very successful in their time, but they got 'better mousetrapped' by the flood of micro-autos in .25. They had a good run, they were just rendered obsolete. They were as a success in their time, but their time ended. Just a different perspective.

 

[Riomouse911]

Very cool, kinda sorta a S&W mash up with a Centennial rear attached to a top break front.

Stay safe.

 

[Piranha451]

That is pretty cool! It is almost like a Noisy Cricket in real life!