Pistol
Can anyone give me some info on a Arminius 38 special revolver. I cannot find anything about it. My book notes that it was previously manufactured in Zella-Mehlis Germany from 1922-1970. This one has a ribbed barrel.
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I have a German pistol--ROHM GMBH SONTHEIM/BRZ 22 cal. Does anyone know whatthis gun is worth? 0 -
PICKERT, FRIEDRICH
ZELLA-MEHLIS, GERMANY
ARIMUS WAFFENFABRIK
in the period from 1870-1939 most inexpensive/cheap revolvers were made in BELGIUM and were produced by the various guild makers and firms. one of the few production facilities to make a dent in this market outside of BELGIUM was the german concern PICKERT.
the pieces they manufactured were generaly better in quality then the BELGIUM GUILD GUNS. they were considered more reliable, and were in a similar price range. they used/stole/infringed upon existing patents and designs. often these guns were lesser copies of arms produced by the bigger firms. they made little progress and almost no innovations or contributions toward firearm development themselves.
ARMINUIS was there "trade" name. all of there guns were so marked. a symbol of german folk lore, ARMINUIS is depicted in cameo form on the grips of the PICKERT lines. the company ceased to exist/produce arms in 1939, with the onset of WWII.
HERMAN WIEHAUCH purchased the trade name and all rights included in 1945. all of these arms are double action, solid frame/loading gate revolvers. after that, its a crap shoot. they varied there arms in an amazing cornicopia of design/patent examples. the features offered on these arms would run into the triple digits.
value is tough... condition, BBL length, finish, chambering, cylinder capacity, date of manufacture, patent infringement features, etc... all affect value. i checked several referance materials, average out value in the same range.
i have identified 19 of the most common models, and none list a .38 special chambering. they did offer a .380-200 british chambering.
pre war guns are worth about $100.00 in NRA VERY GOOD CONDITION
post war but pre 1968 guns are valued around $50.00 in very good condition.
current models are produced/imported by F.I.E. , and they offer several guns in .38 special. the ribbed BBL variants run between $75.00-$125.00 in NRA VERY GOOD CONDITION.
we need a more exact description of the gun, its dimensions, and its markings. please be very thorough. best regards, mike.
What other dungeon is so dark as ones own heart, what jailer so inexorable as ones own mind.0 -
According to my references there have been two different German manufacturers using the "Arminius" name/trade mark.
Your revolver was made by the post W W II entity, Hermann Weihrauch of Mellrichstadt Germany.
I believe from your limited description, that the revolver you have is the HW-38 Model.
These Weihrauch "Arminius" revolvers were imported for a good number of years starting as early as the 1960's in many different models and calibers.
They were sold as inexpensive sporting/self-defense firearms, and have no collector interest and minimal value.0 -
There are lots of these revolvers floating around the world and I've come across them in places that often amaze me! No doubt this is an HW-38 as the Snowman suggests. This model came in three barrel length (2-1/2, 4, and 6 inches if I remember correctly). These usually have the Arminus trade marked "bearded head in a winged helmet" on the frame. The HW357, the .357 Magnum version of the HW38, was available with adjustable sights, but I don't think that option was ever offered on the HW-38. There is nothing wrong with these revolvers as the Weihrauch Company is well known for its fine quality target and match rifles (I own one myself) and these pistols are very servicable. As mentioned, collector value is zero, but they are decent shooters.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Thanks for all the quick responses. 0
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