Antique Handguns

Scarce, very dainty .22 RF. Stevens Old Model Tip Up Target Pistol. It’s serial # 2248X places it in the 1880s.  6″ round barrel with octagonal shank and thinning finish. Globe front sight with elevation adjustable rear peep sight. Silver finished small brass frame not slotted to accept a shoulder stock. Features include spur trigger, sideplate, straight style release button, hammer mount firing pin and spring-operated extractor. Two-piece walnut grips. The frame retains 80% silver finish. Barrel retains 50% finish showing spots of light pitting. Grips may have been sanded and show just light handling marks. (See Photos.) Bore is fairly dark with areas of light pitting retaining lightly worn intact rifling.  All in all, a dandy and very dainty little Stevens.  (EBE-646) $450

A scarce and very sought-after .38 S&W 5-shot spur trigger Model 2 “Baby Russian” (with long ejector rod housing) revolver. This one has 99% of its original nickel finish. This is a single action-only model.  This gun looks just about mint and appears to be unfired! (There are NO firing evidence marks or scratches on the backplate. The black gutta percha grip panels are both in excellent condition. Bore is perfect–also appears unfired. Serial #1959X.  This revolver came from an estate in Ohio. (# EIKS-573) Firm price: $3,750

A scarce .22 Rimfire Stevens New Model 2nd Issue Pocket Rifle. Serial # 930X. (Made before 1897.) Has a 15″ round barrel oct. shank & blue finish. Combination globe front sight with elevation and windage adjustable peep rear sight. Medium-size iron frame with nickel finish, spur trigger, bushed firing pin, mushroom style release button & linkage operated extractor. Has two-piece rosewood grips. Butt has slotted cap for stock attachment. Barrel, frame and stock have matching numbers! Estimated production 15,000, from 1875-1896. Includes an 11-1/2″ nickel finished detachable iron shoulder stock. The rame retains 70% nickel with areas of flaking most prevalent on the right side. The stock retains 40% nickel. Barrel retains 80% dull lightly worn blue. Grips have lightly worn finish with small marks. Bore retains sound rifling showing small spots of very light pitting. All in all, a dandy little Stevens. These ones that are Federally antique are difficult to find. The ATF has exempted all Stevens pocket rifles from the barrel length restrictions of the National Firearms Act of 1934.  (EPIA-643)  $1,600

Scarce, very dainty early-production .22 RF. Stevens Old Model Tip Up Pocket Rifle. It’s serial # 340X places it in the early 1870s!  9″ round barrel with octagonal shank and blue finish. Globe front sight with elevation adjustable rear peep sight. Silver finished small brass frame with buttcap to accept shoulder stock. This is the early design without a retaining thumbscrew. Features include spur trigger, sideplate, straight style release button, hammer mount firing pin and spring-operated extractor. Two-piece walnut grips. Barrel, frame, and shoulder stock have matching numbers. Estimated production of 4,000, from 1869-1886. Includes an 11″ iron shoulder stock with Japaned black finish. The frame retains 40% silver finish acquiring a darkened tarnish. Barrel retains 70% lightly faded blue showing spots of light pitting. Grips show worn finish & light handling marks. Bore is dark w/ areas of light pitting retaining lightly worn intact rifling. Stock retains 30% Japaned black finish. All in all, a dandy and very dainty little Stevens. These ones that are Federally antique are difficult to find. The ATF has exempted all Stevens pocket rifles from the barrel length restrictions of the National Firearms Act of 1934. (ERCI-644) $1275

A scarce caliber .22 rimfire  Stevens New Model Second Issue Pocket Rifle.  Serial # 1085X places it around 1890. Bbl. Has a 10″ round barrels with octagonal shank and thinning blue finish. Combination globe front sight with “Hunter’s Pet”-style vertically adjustable folding leaf rear sight. Nickel finished medium-sized brass frame with sideplate, mushroom style release button, bushed firing pin & linkage operated extractor. Spur trigger in conjunction with a very nice screw-fastened nickel finished finger curl trigger guard. Two-piece rosewood grips. Butt has slotted cap for stock attachment. Frame, bbl. & stock have matching numbers. Estimated production 15,000, from 1875-1896. Includes an 11 1/2″ nickel finished detachable iron shoulder stock. The stock is in exceptionally nice condition, considering that these were usually just very thinly nickel plated.  The action and stock retain 80% nickel showing spots of flaking & wear. Barrel retains 50% dull faded blue with cleaned area of pitting along the left side. Grips show slightly worn finish. Bore has slightly-darkened appearance with intact rifling showing moderate wear. All in all, a dandy little Stevens. These ones that are Federally antique are difficult to find. The ATF has exempted all Stevens pocket rifles from the barrel length restrictions of the National Firearms Act of 1934.  (EURA-645)  $1,350

A rare 5″ Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action First Model Revolver. Unusually fine condition, retaining 85% original blue finish with the balance thinning to a brown. 95% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The frame pivot screw still shows a distinctive Electric Blue. The grips are also very fine with some minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. Inside of the right grip panel numbered to another gun. Matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch.  Serial # 272X.  It is very uncommon to find one of these in a blued finish, with a 5″ barrel. Consider the production statistics: Roughly 80% of this model were made with 6.5″ barrels, 15% were made with 4″ barrels, and the remaining 5% were made with 5″ or other barrel lengths. Also, consider that 90% of these guns were ordered with a nickel finish. To find a blued one in this fine condition makes it a quite rare gun!   (PBPC-418)  $2,850

Smith & Wesson DA .44-40, blued, with the scarce 4 inch barrel. (Most of these were made in nickel finish with 6.5″ barrels.) Has an early 4 digit serial number (989X) and high amount of original high polish blue finish with most blue loss and flaking to cylinder. There is unusually strong case coloring on the hammer and trigger. All screw heads are in perfect shape. The original black gutta percha rips have sharp checkering and no cracks. Barrel is shiny and has strong sharp rifling with just some small scattered areas of light pitting. Action is in good working order with tight lock up.  (ENII-444) $3,250

Belgian-made copy of a S&W .44 Double Action revolver. This revolver is a six shot, double action model with a 6-inch barrel and is chambered in 44-40 Winchester — as is marked (“For .44. Winchester Cartridge”) on the barrel rib. There is no maker marking. Marked “Belgium” on the left side of the frame and serial number 183X on the right side of the frame along with typical Belgian proof marks. The action works fine in double and single action with good timing, but the lock-up at full cock is slightly wobbly. The bore is good, and looks quite shootable with sharp rifling, but some pitting. I’d rate the bore at 6/10. The smooth walnut grips are good looking and well-proportioned but possibly replacements and the grip screw nut (brass) is definitely a replacement.  (See photos.) Also included in a very nice condition Lawrence of Oregon pre-WW2 leather shoulder holster (for a right-hander) that fits quite well.  (IUS-711) $995

Scarce Smith and Wesson Double Action Frontier chambered in .44-40 Winchester. Here is another great “off the ranch” revolver, from north-central Idaho. Has a 6-1/2″ barrel, 1-9/16″ cylinder, fixed sights, DA/SA action, and original black gutta percha grips that are worn and faded to a pleasant chocolate brown. Single action mechanism locks back but the hammer will release with thumb pressure. Double action works well and locks the cylinder tightly. Bore shows light pitting but is bright, with good rifling. Serial numbers match on butt, cylinder, latch, barrel, and grips. Grips are also inscribed inside with the name “Sam Penny” on one side and “Lapwai, Idaho” on the other. Original nickel finish is only about 70% but the factory markings are clear. One grip panel has a chip, and there are some small indentations at the butt, where this revolver’s frame was apparently used at least once, to drive tacks. (So you can tell folks: “This gun is a tack driver.”) Please see photos for details. Manufactured between 1886-1898, with just 15,340 produced.  (The mast majority of antique S&&W large frame DAs were chambered in .44. S&W Russian.) This one falls in the middle of that range at #642X — circa 1892. EPLS-616)  Firm Price: $2,875

Rare antique Smith and Wesson New Model 3 Single Action in the unusual .44-40 chambering. Like many others, this one has had the barrel bobbed to 5-1/4″ length and a Lyman front sight installed.  The serial number is 201X, making it 1896 or 1897 production. The New Model 3 borrowed the barrel-mounted frame latch and rounded butt design from the S&W double action top break design. I was told that the original owner of this revolver was a trapper and lawman in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan who carried this revolver in his official capacity. Most Model 3 SAs were made in .44 S&W Russian. But less than 1,000 of these were made in .44-40 and I doubt that there are more than a few dozen of those in good working condition, like this one. This revolver’s mechanical function is quite good. There’s one small area of pitting on the left side of the barrel, near the muzzle. (See photos.) The cylinder, chambers, and barrel are clean and free of rust.  This would make a fantastic SASS competition revolver, or just a practical shooter. (LUIU-468). Firm Price: $2,650

Nickel plated, 6″ barrel chambered in .44 Russian. Pinned full radius front sight with “V” notch rear sights. Two piece black gutta percha grips, checkered with diamond and S&W monogram. Serial # 2143X. Comes with a Smith & Wesson archival letter dated June 23, 2006 and signed by S&W Factory Historian Roy G. Jinks. Letter documents the revolvers’ correct configuration and shipment to Hartley & Graham Co., New York City, New York on April 22, 1887. CONDITION: Very fine overall with 60-70% original nickel with scattered areas of brown patina. Bore is fine and bright with light pitting. Action is tight and crisp. Grips are excellent showing just modest wear. (ECCU-447)  $2,495

A scarce factory-engraved Merwin, Hulbert Medium Frame Double Action Pocket Model. This is a 5-shot double action model with a 3-1/2 inch barrel, chambered in .38 S&W caliber and manufactured in the 1880’s. As you can see from the photos, it has a nickel finish, folding hammer spur, and mother of pearl grips. The grips are in excellent condition with brilliant colors and no chips or cracks.  Has 50% original nickel finish, with the balance in a pleasant gray patina. The action works as new in double and single action, and it has considerable “cylinder suction”! The factory engraving is of the “punch dot ” style popular from the 1870s to 1900, and features an owl engraved on the left side. The bore is bright and shiny with sharp rifling and scattered light freckling. According to the Art Phelps book on Merwin, Hulbert guns, less than 2% of their revolvers were factory engraved.  This revolver came from a small town in Pennsylvania. Note that the cartridges and pistol stand pictured are not included. (ARYG-362) Firm Price: $1,450

A scarce early and original factory-engraved Ethan Allen Patent (Allen & Wheeelock) percussion six-shot bar hammer Pepperbox .32 caliber revolver with 3-1/2-inch fluted barrels. Serial # 29X. Also marked “77” on multiple components. Overall fair to good condition.  All Ethan Allen patent Pepperboxes were produced pre-1872, and given its very low serial number, this one is likely very early production of the fluted-barrel pistols. Overall fair to very good original condition. Because this is an early percussion piece, I am selling it strictly as a “wall hanger”, at a very reasonable price. I do not normally deal in percussion guns — I bought this with a group of guns, from an estate. So it is priced to sell quickly. (IUUG-546) $675. Now on sale at just $645.

Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver, made in 1866. (Ser. # 27684X.) This is a typical early post-Civil War .31 caliber percussion Colt black powder revolver with 4-inch octagonal barrel.  Overall condition is fair to good, with little original finish remaining. The hand appears to be broken, so the cylinder does not advance when the hammer is cocked. Original walnut grip is in good condition. Because this is an early percussion piece, I am selling it strictly as a “wall hanger”, at a very reasonable price. I do not normally deal in percussion guns — I bought this with a group of guns, from an estate. So it is priced to sell quickly. (IUUF-545) $775 Now on sale for just $650

Scarce S&W First Model .44 Russian Double Action.  4-1/4″ Barrel. Serial # 1825X. (Pre-1899.)  In overall good condition, but with little original blued finish remaining.  (See photos.) Grips are in good condition, with some wear and scratches. I have not yet checked this gun for mechanical or bore condition.  (IUUF-544) $1,475

S&W .38 Single Action Second Model Revolver.  Serial # 1610X.  (Made circa 1888.)  3-1/4″ barrel. Only about 40% original nickel finish, and nice grips. I bought this gun in Illinois. Action needs repair–cylider does not advance when cocked. Note that since this is a black powder era S&W, so it would be safe to shoot only with very mild handloads, even if repaired. (CPR-038)  $725

Scarce S&W .44 Russian Double Action First Model with Roy Jinks–signed S&W factory letter. Serial # 394X. The factory letter confirms it was shipped on July 31, 1883, to M.W. Robinson in New York City in the current configuration. Poor exterior finish, but good mechanical condition. Grips are in fairly good condition, with slightly worn checkering. Left grip had a chip at the base (shipment damage), but I was able make a neat Krazy Glue repair, to return the chipped pieces to their places, so it now looks fine. See the photos that were taken before that grip repair. (CGPR-044)  $1,500

S&W .38 Single Action Second Model Revolver. This is a very nice example of the scarce 5-inch barrel variant in nearly excellent condition. Has 97% + nickel! Nice mechanical condition. Serial # 9998X. Note: This model was produced from Manufactured in 1877-1891, so that serial number places it around 1885. (LUU- 552)   $995

Scarce S&W .44 Russian Double Action First Model Revolver with pearl grips and Factory Letter.  Serial # 3321X. The factory letter lists this revolver as shipped on April 16, 1896, to Latimore & Co. with a 6 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and hard rubber grips. (It now has mother of pearl grips.)  I have not yet checked this revolver for bore condition or mechanical condition. (KUUG-550) $1,675

Desirable Early .38 S&W 5-shot spur trigger Model 2 “Baby Russian” (with long ejector rod housing) revolver. This one has about 95% of its nickel finish. This is a single action-only model. This one won’t hold full cock, so it is being sold as “non-shooter.” The black gutta percha grip panels are both in excellent condition. One side plate screw is marred. Bore has Very Good rifling, and some frost in the grooves. I’d rate it 6/10. Serial # 703XX.  Note that since this is a black powder era S&W. So even if it is repaired, it would be safe to shoot only with very mild handloads. This revolver came from a ranch in north Idaho. (# BKL-572) Firm price: $475

Belgian-made Montenegrin revolver. This massive revolver is a five shot, double action model and is chambered in 44-40 Winchester. The frame is marked “44”. The action works fine in double and single action with good timing and tight lock up. The frame is marked “BELGIUM”. The bore is good, with distinct rifling with some pits, but it is need of a good cleaning. So to be safe I’d rate it at 5/10. The metal is mostly patina with some shallow pitting. The bluing on the cylinder is remarkably good,, for its age. It has bone grips. The extractor ring lifts and drops, but is not the type that pops down automatically. While not a very practical shooter, it is a working .44-40  and definitely has a great Steampunk vibe. (IEL-588) $925

Belgian-made Montenegrin revolver. This massive revolver is a five shot, double action model and is chambered in .44-40 Winchester. Barrel rib is marked “.44 Winchester Cartridge” . The action works fine in double and single action with good timing and tight lock up. The frame is marked “BELGIUM”. The bore is good, with distinct rifling and some scattered pits. I’d rate it at 5/10. Metal in now mostly patina, with some pitting. It has bone grips. While not a very practical shooter, it is a working .44-40, and it definitely has a great Steampunk vibe. (IEL-587) $975

Ultra-rare Colt New Service .44-40 revolver, with 6-shot swing-out cylinder. First year of production (1898)! Only the first 250 were made in 1898–of more than 900,000 produced—and hence are legally antique. This revolver’s blue finish appears original, but is now mostly patina. Bluing is present only on trigger and ejector rod. Right grip has a large chip at the heel. Both of the black gutta percha grips have evenly mellowed to a chocolate color. Bore has very good rifling, with some very noticeable pits at mid-bore that probably won’t affect accuracy. I’d rate the bore at 5/10. This revolver came from a ranch in eastern Washington. A pair of pre-medallion Pachmayr grips are also included. (EPLR-081) Firm price: $3,500

Scarce Colt Model 1878 .44-40 Double Action. From the first year of production–serial number under 250! Shipped with a 7-1/2″ round barrel, nickel and blue finish and hard rubber grips. Loads from a side-loading gate, like a Colt SAA. The included Colt factory letter confirms that it was shipped on February 6, 1883, as part of a 25-gun shipment to Hartley & Graham in New York City, chambered in .44-40 with 7-1/2″ barrel. Overall very good condition. Has an older re-nickel frame finish with some flaking, particularly on the cylinder (see photos), and black gutta percha grips. This is a re-done “two tone” Colt, with a blued barrel and ejector assembly. Barrel is a possible replacement or perhaps re-blued. Bore is shiny with Very Good+ rifling. I’d rate it at 8/10. This gun would look great if the cylinder were either polished and re-nickeled or de-plated and re-blued. Good shootable bore. (EBUR-583) Price:$1,875