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.22 single shot knife gun

reeltime
someone I know is trying to settle up an estate and while cleaning
out the old house they found a pocket knife gun ( the house has
been in the family since the mid 1800's)

it looks like a typical stainless steel pocket knife except for
the one end has a small steel block that flips up to hold a .22 short, there is a little lever that you pull up which cocks the firing pin. I guess you put a shell in the steel block close it
and whenyou depress the lever it fires.

I have never seen one like this either in person or in any of my
books but no doubt with all the knowledge, experience and
library's available on this site I would bet someone can scrounge
up a picture or value on this antique.

any information would be appreciated.

thanks
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • Spider7115
    Many combination folding knife pistols were made by Unwin & Rodgers. Google their name and you will find a lot of various types such as the one below.

    pix1152700984.jpg
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  • beantownshootah
    I don't know what the legality of these things is if they are antiques (Eg made before 1898), but in general guns that look like non-guns fall into regulation by the NFA.

    So this particular gun may fall into a legally restricted category.

    Just be careful.
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  • rufe-snow
    I found this photo on the net, does it look like this? If it is, it's either a "Defender" or a "Huntsman". They were made during the 20's, by the U.S. Small Arms Co. in Chicago. They are a NFA firearm, that could cause the owner a lot of problems with the feds.





    8143d1259617830-knife-shoots-22-shorts-p1010334.jpg
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  • reeltime
    Thanks rufe-snow,

    that is sorta what it looked like.....yesterday well other than
    who knows how many years of rust from setting in a drawer in a
    damp basement with a dirt floor. Now its just a melted down piece
    of metal. He melted it down with a cutting torch, said that he
    didn't want any trouble from it or have someone get a hold of it.
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  • Nwcid
    quote:Originally posted by reeltime
    Now its just a melted down piece
    of metal. He melted it down with a cutting torch, said that he
    didn't want any trouble from it or have someone get a hold of it.



    I understand. I melted down a original Model T Ford one time. I didnt want someone to get a hold of it. You never know what someone could do with it...........

    [:(!]
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    The Knife Pistol with the Red Back Ground appears to be a Percussion Weapon...Not a .22 Short..If its Percussion it's more than likly made pre 1860...
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  • reeltime
    John,

    I never intended to buy the knife gun. this person simply didn't
    know who originally made it, the legality of having it etc. He
    asked me if I knew anything about them my answer was no but I
    would try to find out.
    realistically speaking since this was I guess illegal to
    have in his possession now does he take the chance getting caught
    with it in his house or does he destroy it? if its illegal I guess
    he couldn't advertise it for sale, nor could he just toss it in
    the woods and hope nobody found it. Do I think its a shame we live
    in a society that forces you to destroy an antique for fear of
    the wrath of the feds coming down on you...absolutely!! at 80 years
    old I guess the guy didn't feel like taking the chance of loosing
    everything over a probably unusable yet still banned weapon. For
    him to take the chance of getting caught with it and being convicted
    of a felony over something he found in the basement of the old house
    with no idea where it came from, or who acquired it but the "man" not
    caring who or where simply "who" has it now would be pretty foolish,
    especially when he found out they are illegal to possess.
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    Some information and Good News for you..
    UNWIN & ROGERS
    Yorkshire, England, circa 1850
    Maker of Percussion Knife Pistols..In Good operating Condition is Worth in access of $1500.00....Actual Condition and Value only by hands on determination...As for registration..Thats doubtful...Its Percussion, Black Powder, Pre 1898...so its a genuine Antique....
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  • Nwcid
    The point was that first positively ID what it is. Then find out the legal status. Then take action. It could have been a $5 illegal POS or a $5000 (unlikely but still) rare collectible.

    If it turns out to truly be illegal then take correct action.

    I did come off a little rough in the first post, sorry. Only so many times a guy can here things about destroying guns because "what someone might do with it", but you never hear it about anything else. That is like saying I destroyed my old car so that an alcoholic cant drive it and crash into someone, but you never hear that.
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