Vintage Single Shot Sniper

[crewzer]

Now that I have your attention. I am trying to figure out the gun. The markings on the side are D.R.G.M. The the proof mark looks similiar to an E.German Suhl Crown, but it looks almost like a diamond shape on the dome part of the crown with the cross on top. Then a "B" , Crown again, "U", Crown again, "G". It appears to be a .22 rimmed cartridge. .22 Short or smaller in length. I am thinking it is some sort of Gallery gun, thinks it is a Sniper pistol. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Jim K]

I don't think it is either, but the "sniper pistol" bit is amusing.

I am not sure, but I think there may be some means of attaching a stock, maybe a threaded hole in the bottom of the pistol grip. That looks like one of the general class of guns known as a "pocket rifle". They were used by poachers, but also just by people who wanted to take a walk in the woods and do some plinking or maybe get a rabbit for dinner. Stevens made much the same kind of single shot .22 in this country. They could be carried in the deep pocket of an overcoat, then assembled as the need arose.

If there is a means of attaching a stock, the stock may well have been discarded because of the U.S. federal law controlling pistols with shoulder stocks (short barrel rifles).

The proofs are German, and long antedate East Germany; collectors call them the "bug" marks for obvious reasons. The "B" indicates that the gun was proofed ("proved") in finished condition; the "U" is the second proof, required of all guns; the "G" is the proof for rifled barrels. Those marks were superceded by the 1939 law, so the gun was made before that; going by the general appearance, it was probably made before World War One.

D.R.G.M. means Deutsches Reich Gebrauchsmuster, or "registered design", an indication of protection for a design that did not meet the criteria for a full patent.

Jim

 

[49hudson]

I'm guessing it is a Flobert parlor pistol, invented by Louis Flobert, a French gunsmith in 1845.

 

[mete]

Made in Liege Belgium late 19 or early 20th century, 22 cal . Called a poacher's gun. Pistols of the World, Blair.

 

[Jim K]

While many were undoubtedly made in Belgium, that particular one has German, not Belgian proof marks, so it was definitely made in Germany.

It is not really a Flobert gun, as it has a pivoting breech block. The true Flobert had no breechblock and the pressure was contained only by the hammer itself, whose weight and momentum kept the case in the chamber until pressure dropped. The firing pin was a stud on the hammer.

Jim

 

[crewzer]

Thanks all.

 

[det.pat]

i have a very similar pistol with a 2 inch barrel[almost] it was a pass down from my dad and we always thought it was a starter pistol that had been loosened up by some previous idiot shooting .22 lr's through it.
pat