RevolvingGarbage
Member
I got this interesting little gun for $100 from a nice older gentleman in a face to face sale. I've done some research, but still haven't been able to learn much about it. Measuring the chamber diameter gave me the caliber, which is .320 Center Fire. Its an old european round from the late 1800's, common to old velo-dog and bulldog style revolvers. It has been loaded recently by Fiocchi as .320 Corto, and that's the only ammo I was able to locate in the U.S. in this caliber.
The gun is in much better shape than any similar gun I've seen in person from this era. The bore is not too badly corroded, and the rifling is strong and consistant from end to end. The rifling is also much more concentric to the barrel than many of the larger caliber examples I've seen. The mechanical function and timing of the gun is perfect, and very smooth. The level of craftsmanship is amazing, especially when you consider that this was at best, about what the average joe might carry, if he was armed at all. The hammer is even jeweled!
Markings on the gun are: On the left side, a crown over "JK" near the front of the trigger guard on the frame. On the right side a crown over "R", and directly underneath, a small star above a backwards "P". Doesn't look like a 9. On the same side, number 7046 (the serial, and no I'm not concerned about posting it.), near the front of the trigger guard on the frame. On the right side of the grip frame near the strain screw, "SRN". No other markings, nothing to indicate caliber.
There's also the weird safety. It blocks the hammer when its lowered. It can not be engaged when the gun is cocked, and flips off safe the opposite way nature intended. This screams constables gun to me, but I'm no expert. The grips have the same number 7046 penciled on them, and are clearly well fitted to the gun. I believe they must be original.
Can anybody tell me anything else about this interesting old gun?
The gun is in much better shape than any similar gun I've seen in person from this era. The bore is not too badly corroded, and the rifling is strong and consistant from end to end. The rifling is also much more concentric to the barrel than many of the larger caliber examples I've seen. The mechanical function and timing of the gun is perfect, and very smooth. The level of craftsmanship is amazing, especially when you consider that this was at best, about what the average joe might carry, if he was armed at all. The hammer is even jeweled!
Markings on the gun are: On the left side, a crown over "JK" near the front of the trigger guard on the frame. On the right side a crown over "R", and directly underneath, a small star above a backwards "P". Doesn't look like a 9. On the same side, number 7046 (the serial, and no I'm not concerned about posting it.), near the front of the trigger guard on the frame. On the right side of the grip frame near the strain screw, "SRN". No other markings, nothing to indicate caliber.
There's also the weird safety. It blocks the hammer when its lowered. It can not be engaged when the gun is cocked, and flips off safe the opposite way nature intended. This screams constables gun to me, but I'm no expert. The grips have the same number 7046 penciled on them, and are clearly well fitted to the gun. I believe they must be original.
Can anybody tell me anything else about this interesting old gun?
