Pocket Pistol

[wmharris]

I am looking for information about this little revolver that belonged to my Dad.
May have been a bring back from France at the end of WWII.

My understanding is that these were made by the thousands in Europe - France, Belgium and beyond.

I have attached a picture I hope will help to start. I have more pics showing multiple marks but can't get them uploaded. So I will work try to work around the barrier by attaching them one-at-a-time to replies to my initial post.

Thanks for your help.

 

[wmharris]

Another pic with markings

On barrel

 

[wmharris]

Marks

Under grips

 

[wmharris]

More markings

Top of barrel --serial number?

 

[wmharris]

More marks

Caliber on side

 

[Jim K]

Those are not any proof marks I recognize. The gun might be Spanish, made before they imposed a proof law, or even a gun made somewhere where there was no proof law (Khyber Pass?) and the marks are pure fake, intended to fool a buyer into thinking the gun was made in Europe.

It is interesting that that length of cylinder is usually seen on guns chambered for the very long 5.6mm Velo-Dog cartridge, but in 8mm, only the rare Pieper cartridge is that long.

Jim

 

[Ron James]

Jim, I'm not sure that is an eight or an ugly 6, my first impression , with that long cylinder was Velo Dog, but even at 6 MM ( if that is what it is ) it doesn't jibe. I agree wtth you on the proof marks, unknown to me.It looks to be French/ Belgium but the proof marks don't. In fact the proof marks look poorly stamped.

 

[wmharris]

Pictures of marks on cylinder.

 

[wmharris]

Another picture of cylinder

Additional marks

 

[Jim K]

The letters seem to be "PV" which is part of a Belgian proof, but the lion that would be in the Belgian mark is replaced by some undefinable symbol. The crude ratchet work seems to be hand filed, common in guns that were made in small shops with minimal machinery and tools. More and more I get the feeling of a gun made in the Orient, whether at the famous Khyber Pass or further east, possibly China. How it got to France, I can only resort to "who knows?"

Value? Possibly a few dollars as a novelty, but basically none. Historical interest? The same. A memento of your father and his service? Priceless.

Jim

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Galand "Velo-Dog" in 8mm Lebel.

They go pretty cheap - were made to be inexpensive, seldom fired carry pieces.



Todd.

 

[Ron James]

It looks like a duck, and it walks like a duck, but I don't believe it is a duck nor is it a Galand.

 

[Jim Watson]

According to Zhuk, there was a 6mm rimfire "Type Francais" offered as an alternative to the 5.5mm centerfire Velo-Dog by Galand. Other brands? Why not?

The closest visual I see is a Spanish Francisco Arizmendi y Goenaga, Zhuk 1224.
The Zhuk drawing even shows the little doohickey protruding at the top of the backstrap.

Proof marks faked up to look sorta Belgian? Why not?

 

[wmharris]

Thanks you

I appreciate the information. This little pocket pistol was in a box with a Sauer 38H my Dad brought back. But, he was a huge auction/ antique fan later in life. That could be another place he picked it up. Regardless, it means something to me. I plan to keep it. Any suggestions for some reproduction grips to make it look more complete?

Thanks again

Bill H

 

[rcmodel]

The chance is slim to none you will find anyone selling reproduction grips for an obscure revolver we haven't positively identified yet.

If you want grips, you or somebody else will have to make them.

rc

 

[Ron James]

As I was told once in a similar situation , take a pocket knife with a sharp blade, two pieces of wood and whittle away every thing that doesn't look like a grip. Good luck.

 

[SDC]

This velo-dog shows Spanish proofs dating from after WW1, and the "AG" over the crescent shows the maker as Francisco Arizmendi y Goenaga, who went out of business during the Spanish Civil War. The frame is marked as being for the 6mm (5.75mm) Velo-Dog cartridge, but does it have a 6mm barrel on it?

 

[Old Shooter]

For grips, Shop around at flea markets, gun shops, maybe even yard sales. I've seen fellas at flea markets with boxes of odd-ball grips, you may find something close enough to make it fit without too much whittlin'.

 

[WestKentucky]

Grip looks simple enough. Get to whittlin, then polish the grips up with fine sandpaper.

 

[aarondhgraham]

You can try loading a .32 long cartridge in it,,,

You can try loading a .32 long cartridge in the gun,,,
If it fits with just a teeny amount of slop,,,
It could easily be an 8mm Lebel.

Aarond

.

 

[col.lemat]

That pistol would deserve mother of pearl grips, now your talking pimped out style.