How Old is your Oldest Revolver?
- Thread starter Driftwood Johnson
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Oldest one here is one that I've never even shot. It's in .32 short rimfire and even if the ammo were available I still would be wary about shooting it. In the latter 1800's there were lots of these cheap, small ( 2.5" barrel) revolvers being made by different companies. Some were marked by the manufacturer; some weren't. This one is unmarked except for the word "Defender" stamped on the top strap and a 3 digit serial number stamped under the left grip panel. I've read that Iver Johnson had something similar with that name but they were also marked as an Iver Johnson product. Could this be a cheap, generic, knock-off? Or did Iver Johnson sell these things unmarked to other retailers? Perhaps with all the collective knowledge here I could come up with an answer. While it's no longer a shooter it's still kind of interesting from the history of cheap guns aspect of it.
My oldest is this S&W 32 Hand Ejector in 32-20. The serial number indicates it dates from 1921-1922. It has been refinished at some point in its history before I acquired the revolver and the stocks are from a more modern S&W K-frame. It came with some awful stag stocks.
I shoot it once in a while.
As a companion, I have a Winchester 73 chambered in 32-20 that dates back to about 1890. It also was refinished before it came into my possession.
I shoot it once in a while.
As a companion, I have a Winchester 73 chambered in 32-20 that dates back to about 1890. It also was refinished before it came into my possession.
Master Blaster
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Bottom is my 1956 4 screw k22. Above a few other newer model 17 .
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Chevelle SS
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Both the oldest I own and the oldest I shoot are the same; my 1926ish 2nd Model New Century in 44 special.
Tallball
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I have a "Military and Police" (pre Model 10) and a Hand Ejector that were both made in 1915 or 1916. I shoot them from time to time with mild handloads. They both look pretty rough, but they still lock up pretty tight and will shoot as well as my middle-aged eyes and their small sights will allow. Just to muddy the waters, my Mauser 1914 is from the same time period and also shoots just fine.
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Driftwood Johnson
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Good Stuff.
A S&W American has so far eluded my collection .
And what type of Colt Conversion is that? Richards-Mason?
Driftwood,
That is a U.S. Navy Model eighteen 61 Percussion Range Richards Mason Conversion (Colt New Model Navy-Navy Conversion) that is featured in McDowell"s excellent book A Study of Colt Conversion and Other Percussion Revolvers.
If you do not own a copy of this book, I strongly recommend it!
More detailed photographs of this actual revolver can be found on page 259 & 265 of this book.
Also featured page 162. Smith & Wesson American Model by Charles Pate. Another must-have book!
These would make excellent stocking stuffers in the Driftwood Johnson household. Remember, boys & girls, only 59 shopping days until Christmas!
(Note: My eight key doesn't work!)
That is a U.S. Navy Model eighteen 61 Percussion Range Richards Mason Conversion (Colt New Model Navy-Navy Conversion) that is featured in McDowell"s excellent book A Study of Colt Conversion and Other Percussion Revolvers.
If you do not own a copy of this book, I strongly recommend it!
More detailed photographs of this actual revolver can be found on page 259 & 265 of this book.
Also featured page 162. Smith & Wesson American Model by Charles Pate. Another must-have book!
These would make excellent stocking stuffers in the Driftwood Johnson household. Remember, boys & girls, only 59 shopping days until Christmas!
(Note: My eight key doesn't work!)
Definitely in the runner up category.
My grandfathers 32S&W top break. 1902-1909. This was his EDC pocket pistol. Can't pin the date down any closer without a letter. I also have a card from when he was in Miami on business. Signed by the mayor it "extends all courtesies" which means he could carry concealed. Just like in the movie the untouchables.
My grandfathers 32S&W top break. 1902-1909. This was his EDC pocket pistol. Can't pin the date down any closer without a letter. I also have a card from when he was in Miami on business. Signed by the mayor it "extends all courtesies" which means he could carry concealed. Just like in the movie the untouchables.
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Driftwood Johnson
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Already have both books. Thanks for the page references. You are one up on me, none of my revolvers is in any books.
doubleh
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I can't give an exact date on my oldest. It's an 1860 SA Army that saw service in the Civil War. It's one of the very few collectable firearms I own and I have never shot it and won't. Got a repro for that.
huntsman
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This Ivers hangs above the door of my gun room, pat. Feb 8 87 it came from Wife’s family farmhouse.
Zaydok Allen
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There's a lot of really cool old guns pictured here. This is s really fun thread to read through.
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Driftwood Johnson
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Hey Orpinton:
What is the barrel length on that Merwin Hulbert? 3 1/2"? I assume it is an Open Top like mine?
I was going to bid on one like that a few months ago, in near perfect condition, but it wound up going for crazy money.
What about your New Model Number Three? It looks identical to mine except I see it has a target front sight. Can't quite make out the rear sight, but I am assuming it is a target rear sight too? What caliber?
What is the barrel length on that Merwin Hulbert? 3 1/2"? I assume it is an Open Top like mine?
I was going to bid on one like that a few months ago, in near perfect condition, but it wound up going for crazy money.
What about your New Model Number Three? It looks identical to mine except I see it has a target front sight. Can't quite make out the rear sight, but I am assuming it is a target rear sight too? What caliber?
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Driftwood Johnson
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Right. No such thing as too many antiques.
Here are some of my 'runners up". I am going to confine it to revolvers I actually shoot, not the ones that never get shot.
Here is a companion to my nickel plated New Model Number Three, a blued one that left the factory in 1896. This one was part of a large shipment to Japan. Chambered for 44 Russian.
A 32 Hand Ejector, First Model (Model 1896) from 1898.
A very interesting revolver. This was the first revolver S&W made with a side swinging cylinder. For what ever reason, they reverted to the old Tip Up design and put the bolt in the top strap, rather than under the frame.
Just like a Tip Up, a rounded projection on the top of the hammer rotated the bolt up out of the cylinder to allow the cylinder to turn.
A wedge shape on the front of the projection spread the split spring below the bolt, keeping the bolt down as the hammer fell.
A Triple Lock from the first year of production, 1907, 44 Special. Yea, the blue is almost all worn off, but the price was terrific.
A 32-20 Hand Ejector from 1916.
A really funky 44 Hand Ejector 3rd Model (Model of 1926). This one shipped in 1929 and was carried by an officer in WWII. No idea where he got 44 Special ammunition during the war. I have his holster somewhere. Refinished and over polished, trigger and hammer nickel plated, and the grips are really worn. I wouldn't change a thing.
Here is my favorite K-22. The finish is really worn, and the Magna grips are incorrect. But it is the best shooting 22 revolver I have, including a few other K-22s. Shipped in 1932.
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Yes, the Merwin & Hulbert has a 3 1/2" barrel.
The NM #3 is a Target Model, right as rain and 100%. Never photographs well with its nickel finish.
The factory letter reveals that this revolver is in .32-44 S & W and shipped to M W Robinson New York City April 29 '93. 6 1/2" barrel, target sight, adjustable rear target sight, nickel finish, and checkered black hard rubber grips.
Unfortunately, I did not win the lottery the other night. Otherwise, I would be in the market for my earliest revolver--a Colt Walker with ironclad provenance.
The NM #3 is a Target Model, right as rain and 100%. Never photographs well with its nickel finish.
The factory letter reveals that this revolver is in .32-44 S & W and shipped to M W Robinson New York City April 29 '93. 6 1/2" barrel, target sight, adjustable rear target sight, nickel finish, and checkered black hard rubber grips.
Unfortunately, I did not win the lottery the other night. Otherwise, I would be in the market for my earliest revolver--a Colt Walker with ironclad provenance.
Steel Hayes
Member
The Defender was manufactured by Johnson & Bye (later Iver Johnson) from 1873-1888. There were three different frame sizes for both square butt and birds head grip models. The small frame was chambered for .22 rimfire; the medium frame was chambered for .32 rimfire; and the large frame was chambered for .38 or .41 rimfire. Serial numbers for each frame size and model started at 1 and ran to 99,999, then started over again. These were all smooth bore guns. Defender is the most common brand name, but Johnson & Bye also made the same guns under other names, including Eagle, Encore, Eureka, Favorite, Favorite Navy, Lion, Smoker, Old Hickory, and Tycoon. Pearl and ivory grips were available by special order, as were longer barrels.
There was a second series of guns made by Johnson & Bye from 1889-1899 that had rifled barrels and redesigned and improved lockwork. These were sold as the Defender 89. “Defender 89” was stamped on the topstrap and molded into the hard rubber grips.
Michael Tinker Pearce
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This S&W .38 Double Action (2nd Model) was made in 1884- it get shot a couple of times a year, but that trigger-guard can be painful.
This Bulldog, labelled 'British Lion,' is chambered in .450 Adams and likely dates from the late 1870s or 1880s. It goes to the range regularly. It's a good shooter!
This model 83 RIC, also in .450 Adams, is also a regular at the range. The trigger isn't light, but it's super-smooth with no stacking.
My Forehand & Wadsworth in .38 S&W doesn't get a lot of range time but it does go occasionally- usually there are .38 S&Ws I'd rather shoot along.
This Custom S&W .38 Double Action safety Hammerless (4th Model) is probably the gun I carry more than any other, and I've put over 1500 rounds through it. It seems to have been shipped in 1909-
This Bulldog, labelled 'British Lion,' is chambered in .450 Adams and likely dates from the late 1870s or 1880s. It goes to the range regularly. It's a good shooter!
This model 83 RIC, also in .450 Adams, is also a regular at the range. The trigger isn't light, but it's super-smooth with no stacking.
My Forehand & Wadsworth in .38 S&W doesn't get a lot of range time but it does go occasionally- usually there are .38 S&Ws I'd rather shoot along.
This Custom S&W .38 Double Action safety Hammerless (4th Model) is probably the gun I carry more than any other, and I've put over 1500 rounds through it. It seems to have been shipped in 1909-
ArchAngelCD
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Not sure, I don't know how old my British Enfield is but I do have an M&P that left the S&W factory in 1948.
LonesomePigeon
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My oldest is a replica 1851 Navy .36 caliber made by Gregorelli & Uberti in about 1959. Gregorelli & Uberti were in business from, I think, about 1958 to 1964 before becoming just Uberti. The early GU's didn't have any proofmarks, datecode, ect. Photos are from the seller.
Ric
Member
Wow, y’all got some beautiful guns.
I’m embarrassed to say a Detective Special from 1978
I’m embarrassed to say a Detective Special from 1978
jar
Contributing Member
A few that didn't get mentioned but will still qualify as vintage are a Colt Police Positive 38 S&W that was made in 1926 and some Smith & Wesson Brazilian Contract 1917s in 45acp/45ar that were sold initially in 1937. I still have the two wood handled Smiths but gave the one with the Pachmayr grips to my little brother a couple decades ago.
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