Does anybody know what this is??????????

[kencop93]

Im not sure what this gun is.. It has no markings.. All the finis except by the grips is gone.. My friend got it from his uncle.. I hope the pics attached to this

 

[MisterHappy]

Well, at the risk of stating the obvious, it's a cute little swing-barrel rimfire derringer.

The "saturday night special" of its day.

If you carefully remove the grip panels, there may be markings under. If you can provide dimensions (bbl length, caliber, etc.) you might be able ot get more info.

 

[Billsail]

Im not sure what this gun is.. It has no markings.. All the finis except by the grips is gone.. My friend got it from his uncle.. I hope the pics attached to this

I have had almost the same gun for over 30 years, and have yet been able to positively identify it. My trigger is slightly different, as it doesn't have the "hook" at the bottom. From what I learned, there were dozens of small "no-name" manufacturers in the late 1800s that produced these, and very similar models. There were, however, a few larger mfg's that produced designs like these, Merwin Hurlburt being one of them. They really don't have much value, unless the were made by a known gunmaker. It is most likely takes a .41 rimfire, blackpowder cartridge. There is NO WAY I would ever try to shoot it! Too dangerous!!!

 

[kencop93]

It looks like it might be 32 cal the barrell is about 3 in no markings under the grip..there might be a number though.

 

[MisterHappy]

Bring it to a few gun shows, and ask around....never can tell who might have a clue.

 

[Billsail]

It looks like it might be 32 cal the barrell is about 3 in no markings under the grip..there might be a number though.

Very possibly .32 rimfire. Hard tell scale when viewing the pics. Mine has been put away for 20 yr, but IIRC it is .41

 

[Moderator]

I'm not an expert, this is just from looking through my books and the net real quick. This info could be 100% wrong.

Looks like an Eclipse of some sort. Tens of thousands were made by multiple manufactures. That one might be made by James Brown and Son as Enterprise Gun works about 10,000 manufactured or could also be made by Johnson, Nye & Co. can't find production numbers for them. Similar designs may have been used by the larger companies but I would expect to see their names printed on it if it were. Hope this helps.

Some of the net references
http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...man/?action=view&current=H0119-L242465861.jpg
http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=78916
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=259573939

 

[FreeWillie]

A common gun found amongst River Boat gamblers in the late 1890's, especially in the New Orleans area. Some even made their way to West Texas tucked in a boot at a card table. Great piece of history if you can trace the owners.

 

[AYERSPO]

It's a Eclipse made by Johnson & Bye, Worcestar Ma. in the 1870"s

 

[kencop93]

Thanks

 

[MisterHappy]

It's one of the few carry pieces we're going to be allowed in the PRM

 

[Pilgrim]

colt made one very much like that:

 

[xring]

Butler made similar guns for Colt's. They also made some under their own name, just about like the Colt's. They were from Newhaven, CT.