Unknown handgun

mikwms

April 27, 2003 11:58

Anyone know anything about a RANDF CAL.22 hammerless pistol.
My father recently passed away and left me several weapons that have been in the family for generations. This weapon was supposedly brought back from Europe in WWI by my Great Grandfather. Not wanting to sell just educate myself a little. Picture will be available at www.mikwms.com/randf.htm

0

• 

  CountryGunsmith

  April 27, 2003 12:22

  Looks suspiciously Belgian, in the Velo-Dog style. Cant really make it out in the pics, but on the right side of the gun between the cylinder and the barrel there appear to be some markings...
  
  FFL Dealer, Class 07/02 Mfg

  0
• 

  rufe-snow

  April 27, 2003 12:30

  I believe you have a Spanish or Belgian knock-off of a "Arminius Model 1" pocket revolver. The originals were made by Friedrich Pickert in Zella St Blasii/Zella-Mehlis Germany for 35 years prior to W W II.
  Since they were very popular as inexpensive, self-defense handguns their was great incentive for the lower price/quality foreign manufacturers, to try to get a piece of the action with their knock-offs.

  0
• 

  mikwms

  April 27, 2003 14:10

  I have uploaded a new picture that shows the marks a little better the first one looks like a side ways horse shoe.
  Anyway Thank you for your information.

  0
• 

  rufe-snow

  April 27, 2003 14:36

  There's two proof marks on your revolver. The bottom one appears to be a "Crown over U" which is a German Proof used until 1939 as a final or definitve proof for firearms. I can't make out the one above it? Please take another picture or describe it, so we can figure out what it is?

  0
• 

  mikwms

  April 27, 2003 15:11

  I've placed two more images of the marks. A little better done with a scanner B&W with neg image. I work and see if I can clean it up some more.

  0
• 

  CountryGunsmith

  April 27, 2003 15:15

  Definitely the Crown/U, and other looks like a Crown over something...
  
  FFL Dealer, Class 07/02 Mfg

  0
• 

  rufe-snow

  April 27, 2003 20:33

  Still can't make out the upper proof mark.
  Reason I believe this revolver is knock-off, is the markings on the top strap don't seem right to me. Don't believe Pickert would have marked his revolvers this way "RANDF CAL. 22 HAMMERLESS "
  Believe the abbreviation is wrong. The German word is "RADFAHRERREVOLVER" ( Bicyclist's Revolver ). If I had to put money on it, I'ld say it's of Spanish origin.

  0

Please sign in to leave a comment.