single shot .22 german pistol, what is it????

[jason10mm]

I just got gifted a single shot, break-open pistol, seemingly chambered in .22LR. It says:

HY HUNTER ---FIREARMS MFG. CO (can't make out the --- part)
HOLLYWOOD CALIF MADE IN WEST GERMANY

on the left side of the barrel, below that is "22I" (or 22L). Any idea what this thing is?

 

[Third_Rail]

Don't know what it is, but it's nice....

That and I wanted to say nice choice of reading materials! Although I prefer the original series myself...

 

[Bullet Bob]

The good thing about the internet, if you wait long enough someone who knows what he's talking about will come along, but unfortunately for you I ain't him. But I do feel talkative tonight.

IIRC< Hy Hunter was a Pasadena California gun dealer who in addition to his retail shop imported and sold several inexpensive arms from Germany. The most well known were the SAA copies and a line of derringers.

Now remember, I'm mostly full of hot air, but your pistol seems reminiscent of any number of European single-shot "parlor pistols" made to shoot low-powered ammo indoors; some of these were quite expensively made, but not yours unfortunately. If it says it's okay for .22 long rifle, I guess it is, but I wouldn't shoot one in it. I might shoot a CB cap or colibri .22 in it, but I would like it better if my worst enemy tried it first. Of course, I'm known to be a little too cautious around firearms, also. Probably comes from my lack of real, in-depth knowledge.

 

[Jim Watson]

Nope.
Made in Germany, imported by Hy Hunter in the 60s, but it is a mechanical copy of one or another of several Stevens single shot pistols from the late 19th or early 20th century. Looks most like a No 35 Target to me.

Don't know the quality, but it would likely hold standard velocity .22s.

 

[mete]

Jim ,you're right.From drawings I have maybe a copy of the Gould Model Stevens.

 

[Jim Watson]

Could be.
The Gould and No 35 were similar, they made a lot fewer Goulds, and a name is sexier than a number.

 

[jason10mm]

Thanks for the replies. I also checked a gun values book while I was at the book store tonight. Apparently it is a copy of a Stevens gun, probably the "Favorite" series. The Hy Hunters were chambered in .22 (LR presumably, though the book didn't specify) and .22 WSM (no idea what that is). I'm gonna risk some regular .22s in it. The construction seems good, the cartridge will be surrounded by a good half of a cm of steel on all sides. The trigger is VERY nice, probably not more than a few ounces. I'm interested in seeing how accurate she is. Hopefully I can get some custom grips (it is missing one side) made for her and save it for a first gun for my offspring. BTW, the gun value says it ain't worth more than 50-70 bucks, tops.

As for my reading material, I have about half of the LW&C series, and just got into this new one. Not too bad, actually. Between that and the new Conan series, comics are getting good again!