Handgun Identification

[Doucme2]

I've come into posession of a small revolver which I cannot identify. The only markings I can make out is a star over an L. It is hammerless with a folding trigger and seems to be center fire. It is reloaded through a loading gate after the spent cartridge is pushed out similar to the single action Colt. It measures 5 1/4 inches in length and 3 9/16 inches in height. If anyone has any information on this revolver, I would appreciate it.

 

[Doucme2]

Left out that the safety has the letters SUR and FEU which I assume is on and off?

 

[USAF_Vet]

I believe it's Belgian, along with the other one you posted. Later 1890, early 1900's. FEU translates to FIRE, so I'm guessing SUR means SAFE.

I google folding trigger hammerless revolver, got a lot of hits, mostly of Belgian or German make.

Here is one in particular.

http://historical.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=6050&lotNo=52796

Interesting guns.

 

[KodiakBeer]

Left out that the safety has the letters SUR and FEU which I assume is on and off?

"Safe" and "Fire" in French. So, your revolver is French or Belgian. The star is an inspector mark and not very helpful because stars are used by many countries at different periods. Somewhere on the revolver is a more elaborate mark - a crown, lion, scrolled leaf, etc, that would be proof mark, but it may be worn off.

If this revolver looks to be about .22 caliber, it's probably a "velodog" which you can look up for more info. They were made in many places, but mostly in France and Belgium in the 19th century and early 20th century. The stye of these vary considerably, but they were all chambered for the .22 velodog round.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Vello Dog
made in usually a 22 to about 32, usually in rim fire
they were for bicyclist, usually for defense against aggressive dogs.
Alot of them were made in Belgium.

 

[KodiakBeer]

Ah, here: http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/VD/vd.html

 

[Doucme2]

Thanks everyone. Definitely a Vello Dog. The cylinder also has ELG in an oval, Lion? over RV and star over L. Proof marks? A closer look seems to indicate a rimfire around 32 cal. Will keep this one and the other I asked about as fun curosities. Appreciate the responses.

 

[Jim Watson]

Some will say it is not technically a Velo Dog unless chambered for the long skinny .22 Velo Dog cartridge. but this one is certainly out of the same litter, you might say.

There were untold numbers of these little guns made in Belgium, also Germany, Spain, and France in the late 19th, early 20th century. The Zhuk book shows 13 PAGES of them. The 1911 Alfa catalog has 16 PAGES of that type or similar.

 

[Jim K]

I thought there would be an oval with the letters E L G in it on there someplace. Definitely Belgian. I am not sure the cylinder is long enough for the Velo-Dog cartridge, but similar guns were chambered for it.

Jim