Handgun identification...any help?
A friend of mine asked me to help him find out information on an old revolver he owns. It was given to him years ago from an old barber friend. He doesn't even know what caliber it is. Here's some info about it. (From what little I've read, it's either a .32 or a .38)
It's a 5 shot revolver. On the top of the barrel it has stamped in it:
Forehand & Wadsworth. Worchester, Mass. USA
Pat. Dec 7 86 Jan 11 / 87
On the bottom of the pistol grip, and on the revolver, it's stamped:
10876
I wonder if the 87 has something with the year of manufacture.
The Pistol grip has a long arched logo with F & W embedded in it. Inside the arch is something that looks like a badge and the top part of the badge has stars. Below that, where the screw goes through, there another star.
The cylinder measures about .389 and the barrel is about .350.
The firearm looks to be in good shape, nothing seems loose and it's Nichol plated so no rust.
Can anyone tell me a little about this gun, or where to find info? He'd like to know some history and value.
Thanks!
It's a 5 shot revolver. On the top of the barrel it has stamped in it:
Forehand & Wadsworth. Worchester, Mass. USA
Pat. Dec 7 86 Jan 11 / 87
On the bottom of the pistol grip, and on the revolver, it's stamped:
10876
I wonder if the 87 has something with the year of manufacture.
The Pistol grip has a long arched logo with F & W embedded in it. Inside the arch is something that looks like a badge and the top part of the badge has stars. Below that, where the screw goes through, there another star.
The cylinder measures about .389 and the barrel is about .350.
The firearm looks to be in good shape, nothing seems loose and it's Nichol plated so no rust.
Can anyone tell me a little about this gun, or where to find info? He'd like to know some history and value.
Thanks!
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Only Forhand & Wadsworth (5) shot revolver I have listed is their "CENTER HAMMER" model.
It dates from the 1870's, but the patent date markings listed in your post are different then the ones given in my book?
According to the book it also should be marked "SWAMP ANGEL" on the top strap.
If it does indeed have this marking it would be considered one of the early "SUICIDE SPECIALS" and might have some value to collectors depending on condition and originality?
The reference goes on to say they made many types of these revolvers over the last 3 decades of the 19th century, to many to list.0 -
Sullivan Forehand and Henry C. Wadsworth were brother in laws. Both had married daughters of Ethan Allen and were taken into the gun makeing company of Ethan Allen and in 1865 the name of the company was changed to Ethan Allen & Co. After Allen's death in 1871, Forehand and Wadsworth took over the running of the company. They continued to make single shot pistols, revolvers, and dropping block single shot rifles marked with both Allen's name as well as there own. When Wadsworth retired in 1890 the company name was changed to Forehand Arms Company. Forehand died in 1898,but his heirs continued operating the company until it was taken over by Hopkins & Allen in 1902. Forehand & Wadsworth made a large number of hand guns rangeing from single shot deringers in .22 Rimfire, to the six shot Old Model Army in .44 Russian. However, they are best known for their line of cheap five and six shot revolvers in .32 and .38 in both rimfire and center fire. The Forehand & Wadsworth double action revolver was produced in caliber .32,.38 and .41 all rimfires. The .32 was marked on the top strap TERROR, the .38 was marked BULL DOG, and the .41 was marked SWAMP ANGEL. With the exception of the Old Model Army and the Forehand & Wadsworth Center Hammer,these pistols have very little value. Most run in the $50-$200 range. Hope that this is of some help to you. Scout 0 -
Thank you...this is great information. 0 -
forehand & wadsworth also manufactured a line of quality top break revolvers in both .32 and .38 0
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