What is this French Revolver Really Worth?

[rswartsell]

Title says it all;

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=408727814

Looks interesting.

What about 4 of these? Yes there are 4 pretty much identical currently listed.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=409169783

What of the French tradition of arms as it relates to revolvers?

 

[Ed Ames]

An antique in excellent condition, no import marks, etc, $600ish or maybe a bit more with a holster. If it has been modified, has import marks, is not an antique, or some combination of those, a lot less ($250?). That is based on what I have seen from gunbroker and dealers specializing in C&R/antique guns.

Ammo is a PITA to find (Fiocchi supposedly makes it from time to time but I have never seen any and I have been looking), the dies are expensive, the round is anemic, but the gun is odd (cylinder swings to the right etc) which balances things out somewhat.

 

[rswartsell]

What's your take on the one listed?

 

[Kernel]

Manurhin's are suppose to have a good reputation. Everything I've heard has been positive, other than price (which tends to be high) and parts availability (which tends to be limited).

 

[Ed Ames]

I'm not an expert, but...

First, this is an antique (F serial number prefix confirms) but the seller has listed as requiring FFL. That's a major negative for me.

The holster isn't the one usually associated with these guns (it may be a standard civilian police holster or something, but it isn't the archetypical 1892 holster), which has a formed flap (vs. this flat flap) and an inner pocket.

It's a strict as-is sale with no inspection period, which means you are taking a bigger risk.

It looks like its NRA antique fine or very good...I am not the person to make those assessments and that's hard to do by photos anyway.

To me, this would probably be worth $400..but then again I already have one with an F serial prefix. Actually, $400 seems like the max, and I'd want to pay less...maybe I'm in a cheap mood or maybe $400 is too much. Mine is in great condition (NRA antique excellent). Adjusting for inflation I paid about $550 in 2014 dollars.

 

[bannockburn]

To me something like the Model 1892 revolver would be worth somewhere around $300 to $350. Ammo is hard to come by so its primary interest would be that of a collectible. The design itself is somewhat unusual (swing-out cylinder to the right as the saber was the troopers primary weapon), and this particular example appears to be in fairly decent condition. The holster is a nice extra though I would pass on the handloaded 8mm. ammo.

 

[Ed Ames]

though I would pass on the handloaded 8mm. ammo.

Don't pass, pull. As in pull the bullets, dump the charges, and reload. It beats having to cut down 32-20 brass, firing the wrong cartridges and hoping nothing goes wrong, or waiting years on the off chance Fiocchi decides to switch a line to 8mm lebel revolver for 20 minutes and you will get an order in before everyone else that has been waiting to buy.

 

[Jim K]

Those guns are actually quite good, very durable and reliable. The trigger pulls are not what we like, but they are well made and as good or better than the other European military revolvers of the time. (Given a choice between the French Model 1892 and the Colt model of the same year, I can only say that I would have a problem choosing.)

The right swing cylinder makes sense, if you consider that the gun was supposed to be unloaded and reloaded while being held in the left hand while the right handled the cartridges.

Jim

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I've been watching 1892's for awhile now. Based on the sales I've seen, I would expect it to go for 500-$600.

One sold just the other day for $900. It was in beautiful shape. I could see a bit of rust color on the front sight, and where the front of the cylinder met the frame. Beautiful example.

My comment is based solely on gunbroker and gun show observations.

 

[rswartsell]

I thought that the Manhurins would have gotten the attention and comments. Shows what I know. They do have some very ugly grips, but for reputed quality they seem to be good prices.

 

[aarondhgraham]

I've turned down $450 for mine,,,

I've turned down $450 for Margaux,,,
But I think that was probably top dollar for her.



The blue is not bright on my gun,,,
But there is no rust or pitting anywhere,,,
And with Fiocchi ammo it's surprisingly accurate.

I was one of the lucky few people last year,,,
I stumbled on some new Fiocchi Ammo,,,
When I had some disposable money.

I bought 550 rounds,,,
Which should last my lifetime.

Gads Custom Cartridges will reload 32-20 brass,,,
He makes the rounds somewhat anemic,,,
But they're better than nothing.

Here is a nice Wikipedia article on the pistol.

Aarond

.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Here is the one I was talking about. The seller overstated the condition IMO, but it is still nice.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=406081173

 

[SC_Slowhand]

Those Nagant Brother Designs Got Around.....




I love those Old Pre-WWI type revolvers. At our local Gun Show they are ridiculously priced. A couple of years ago I was making the rounds of the local gun shops I saw a rather strange looking revolver sitting in a display case. I recognized that distinct Nagant look.




It’s a Model 1887 Swedish Husqvarna Nagant, 7.5mm, 6 shot, with a 4 3/4 in barrel. Emile and Henri-Leon Nagant were two brothers from Liege, Belgium who did the original design. Saying the name Nagant in Russia is like saying Colt in America.

This one was made in 1900 and I've found ads from back in 1957 that list them as being imported and sold in Burbank, CA for $14.95. This one goes for around $300-$400. locally.

 

[Ed Ames]

While they look similar, the Nagant and the 1892 are very different in several ways.

The part that is a loading gate on the Nagant is actually the cylinder catch on the 1892. When swung out of the way, the 1892 cylinder is free to swing to the right on its crane. The rod that swings around on the Nagant to push individual cases out is actually a modern-style star extractor that rides with the cylinder on the 1892.

Nice Swedish Nagant BTW.

 

[Jim K]

All of those guns, including the Swiss and American revolvers were part of a general trend in the late 19th century toward smaller calibers and more power in military revolvers. The only nation that didn't join the crowd was Britain which, having to fight "uncivilized" enemies, kept the .455. The U.S., after a short honeymoon with another .45 caliber revolver, the Model 1909, adopted an auto pistol in 1911, but it was also in .45 caliber.

Jim