Old Guns - What are they?

[DS Gun]

Hi all,

My grandfather had several old guns and rifles and some of them went to me when he passed away. I am curious what some of these are and if one of them is even a gun! I see that one of them is an old Deringer and the revolver is a S and W 32. I don't know much about them and was wondering if anyone might know how much they are worth? I wouldn't want to sell them, just curious. I wonder if the Revolver could still be shot, I don't know how old it is.

Thanks for looking!

 

[Powderman]

The revolver appears to be a Smith and Wesson Hand Ejector, Model of 1903. They are nice, solid guns.

By the way, if you do consider selling it, let me know, please! I've been looking for one for some time.

 

[DS Gun]

I didn't pay attention before, but I see the Revolver has the last date of Sept. 14, 09. There are several dates before that one, I don't get why they list the previous dates.

Thanks Powderman!

 

[KC0QGL]

Is the revolver rimfire or centerfire?

 

[Powderman]

It is a centerfire cartridge, commonly known as the .32 Special or .32 Long. A nice, soft shooting, accurate little cartridge.

 

[SDC]

The middle one is what's known as a bar hammer pistol, made by the Mannhattan Fire Arms Manufacturing Company of New York, during the 1850s, and the "derringer" is an actual Deringer, but has unfortunately had the front part of the hammer broken off. Both of these are considered "antiques" under US law.

 

[ronwill]

First one looks like a hand ejector model of 1905, 3rd change. The date stamp of 1909 leads to this. Does it have a serial number between 146900 to 241703? Could be in .32-20 or .38 caliber.

 

[DS Gun]

Thanks guys for the info! I have always wondered what the middle one was. The S&W has a serial number in the 58000s.

I noticed the broken hammer and am not sure how long is has been like that. It looks like it is pretty old.

Thanks for the quick help!

 

[Jim Watson]

I think I can cross my eyes and squint to see a ".32 W.C.F. CTG" marking on the barrel of the Smith & Wesson. If so, it is a S&W .32-20 1905 Hand Ejector, 3rd Change, Flayderman 5G-063. Made 1909-1915. Part of the large Military and Police "K frame" family.
NOTE: .32 WCF = .32-20 is NOT the same as .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 Colt, .32 ACP.
Currently produced .32-20 ammunition is lightly loaded and is ok for revolvers. Internet Experts will warn you against the rifle only .32-20 High Velocity, High Speed, and High Power ammo but that has not been made in a good many years. Stick with the fresh stuff and you will be ok. It will be rather expensive. Gun has almost no finish left, dollar value is not great.

The Deringer appears to be a real Henry Deringer product, but in fairly sad condition. I don't know if it is worth a hammer and nipple.

Flayderman says the bar hammer Manhattan is a scarce piece, and the first gun made by that company, which was very well known in the 19th century. Unfortunately, yours is missing the trigger guard.

 

[rcmodel]

It does indeed say ".32 W.C.F. CTG" on the barrel.

That makes it a 32-20 WCF, just as Jim Watson said.

rcmodel

 

[Avenger]

I didn't pay attention before, but I see the Revolver has the last date of Sept. 14, 09. There are several dates before that one, I don't get why they list the previous dates.

They are Patent dates. They left the older ones on to maintain the Patent and prevent copying of the Patented feature.

 

[DS Gun]

Thanks all. I am going to find a way to display these at my home and now I will be more informed if anyone asks about them.

 

[Jim K]

The Deringer is a real Deringer, that is it was made by Henry Deringer in Philadelphia. The hammer, though, appears to be a gunsmith made replacement that then broke. I doubt an original hammer would be available, but it should be worth trying to find one, or at least find a better quality replacement.

The S&W is a Model 1905 Hand Ejector, .32-20, Third Change.

The patent markings are all included because they refer to different features of the gun. Presumably, each of the features is actually incorporated into that gun, but sometimes makers just showed patents to impress a buyer, even if a listed patent did not apply to the gun.

Jim