We found a handgun on our hike today!
It's an old (likely antique) .32 caliber nickel plated revolver. "The American Double Action" is stamped on the barrel flat. It has a stubby 2" octagonal barrel, incredible rubber (or gutta percha) grips and about 95% of the nickel plating! Although the trigger return spring is broken, the hammer rises/falls and the cylinder advances when the trigger is pulled. It was found with all chambers loaded, wrapped in an oil soaked cloth and tucked away in the rafters of an old hunting shack that we stumbled upon. I'm talking "way off the beaten path!" The condition of this revolver is surprising after all this time and it reminds me of an old gangster piece from the 20's. There are no serial numbers, so there's really no way to research it. So, should I report the revolver to the local authorities (in case it was used in a homicide), or should I hang it on my wall and make up a good story to go with the find? [:D]
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Well, I just finished up on the phone with the local police department, the sheriff's office and a state ranger with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. I confirmed that we were NOT trespassing (as I explained above) and it appears that I now have an antique revolver for my collection. Without serial numbers, there are no records to look up. I was also advised that even if serial numbers did exist, there were no laws requiring the registration of a handgun when it was made. [^]
Turn it in? Trespassing? Theft? Put it back? Sure. Some people here really amaze me! [:o)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by chuck
Do you own the property that the cabin is on? If not find out who does, It aint yours, your steeling.
Wrong! [;)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by phillip
Funny thing...I was trapping JUST last week in lolo and it just so happens that I dropped a nickel plated .32 in a cabin I was taking shelter in.May I have it back please?[:o)]
[:D][:D][:D][:D]0 -
HobbyGuy:
Grow a second and third skin , my man !!
Can't you see the buds are just funnin ya.
Lighten up !0 -
A lot of folks wander through my woods, spot the old log cabin and want to break in to look for goodies. Just because the property is not occupied 24/7 doesn't give you the right to ransack someone elses goods. 0 -
Isn't it funny when people don't read the entire thread? [:D][:o)][:D] 0 -
The cabin I'm referring to is from the 1800's as well. I constantly have to chase off folks thinking they have discovered a gold mine or their own free homestead. 0 -
If this "cabin" could be inhabited, it would have to be by four foot tall elves. [:D] Actually, calling it a cabin isn't quite accurate. More of a manger. 0 -
And this guys is why we are always on the short end of the stick when it comes to any gun rights. Jump on a fellow gun owner. It is very plain this gun was put in the cabin along time ago. The cabin is run down with no windows or doors. At the very most you could take it to your local cop shop but if you do kiss it good by. since it has no SN. I would hang it on the wall or fix it and shoot it. As for you gun grabbing democrat low lifes that are giving this guy a load of camel droppings get off his back the gun is most likley just as it appears a long lost gun. As far as theft get a life if he has any thought it might be someones who has not died run it by the cop shop. 0 -
Maybe its D.B. Coopers.Check for money. 0 -
you never answered my question
does it have an open loading gate, that is a bit offset from the cylinder?
and yes some of you need to reread the entire first post0 -
quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
you never answered my question
does it have an open loading gate, that is a bit offset from the cylinder?
and yes some of you need to reread the entire first post
I'm sorry I didn't answer you sooner. Yes, it's an open loading gate (no latch, or cover). Since there is no half cock, you have to hold the hammer back a bit in order to rotate the cylinder for loading and ejecting. Speaking of ejecting, you have to use a stick. There's no provision for an ejector rod.0 -
DUDE! THATS MINE!
no i have a copy of the original add for that gun from 1889 it sold for 3.50 cents, and 4.50 for the hammer-less, made by Hopkins & Allen, the American version of the British bulldog, i had one before neat little gun0 -
On a lot of those old rev olvers, the pin that holds the cylinder in is the ejection rod. some of them that hole in the frame behind the cylinder is not for loading but a vision port to spot fired or unfired cartridges. I have on old Ivers .32 , you have to pull the pin and drop the cylinder to load it up.. 0 -
my buddy guns-n-paintedhorse once found, i think a sawed off shotgun while tearing up some railroad track, 0 -
quote:Originally posted by HobbyGuy
Well, I just finished up on the phone with the local police department, the sheriff's office and a state ranger with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. I confirmed that we were NOT trespassing (as I explained above) and it appears that I now have an antique revolver for my collection. Without serial numbers, there are no records to look up. I was also advised that even if serial numbers did exist, there were no laws requiring the registration of a handgun when it was made. [^]
Turn it in? Trespassing? Theft? Put it back? Sure. Some people here really amaze me! [:o)]
The key word in red. Many other states, this likely wouldn't have went as well.0 -
I agree. Had it been in California, there would have been an extensive crime scene investigation costing thousands of dollars. Only to determine that the subject 1890's era revolver was never used in a crime. At least, not a crime of record. [;)] 0 -
[img][/img] 
Something like this?0 -
Probably looks more like this.
I think a serial number or at least a partial is on the inside of the grips.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=725307720 -
contact a local lawyer or look it up some items if you turn in and if its cleared and never claimed you can claim it your self. But think of it this way, if that was your gun that someone stole wouldnt you want it to be returned? Number if its connected in a crime I wouldnt want to be caught up in that mess. And depending on your area to leagally own it, it might have to be registered, so if you never register it, you run the risk of being caught with an illegal gun or be blamed for its theft. TURN IT IN. this little POS isnt worth it 0 -
Beat me to it Capt. [img][/img]
[img][/img]
There should be a number on the bottom of the grip frame, and under the left stock panel. Probably H&R, etc. on the top left barrel flat.0 -
hopkins & allen made the first ones, then many more made copies, ether way there not to valuable, and would not be worth a lawyer 0 -
H....
Where are the picture's lets see this find.
I'm with you KEEP IT.. I found a hunting rifle leaned against a tree once. near my grand dads place. nice -06 with a Leo scope on it. had it for a yr left it @ Grandpa's house, he has a C-store and one day out of the blue a guy that we know but hadn't seen for a few yrs comes into the store. he was getting provisions going to spend the week looking for a rifle that he had lost/left 2 YRS prior!!! he had been looking for it ever since. He told use the whole story even described the area, were I had found it. I Felt bad for the guy, though i did think he was a Dumb AZZ for walking out without his gun.
So i fetched it and he said Yup that was his, I was still a bit skeptical about the whole deal because grandpa has a big mouth and had told this story probably 100 time's. so i asked him if there was anyway other than his word that this was his. thinking he had jsut heard the story and was there to pull a fast one.
he asked for a screw driver. took the butt plate off and wouldn't you know it there is name/address/phone number I felt about ya big [B)]0 -
That looks just like it tapwater. However, it's double action only and will not hold cocked in single action like the one you have depicted. I'm at my office for another hour, but will post an image or two when I return home. There are no serial numbers, even under the grips. It's in .32 rimfire and the only thing that appears to be wrong with it is the trigger return spring. The action works smoothly and advances the cylinder with each trigger pull. A local collector dated it last night to the late 1880's, early 1890's and he stated the cartridges which we removed were from the early 1900's. The sheriff's office and police department told me that it's mine, so I'm not going to argue with them. [^] 0 -
H&R made it....From the 2005 Catalog of Firearms...Page 549
The American Double Action
A .32, .38, or .44 centerfire caliber double action revolver with a 2.5, 4.5 or 6" round or octagonal barrel, a 5 or 6 shot fluted cylinder, depneding on the caliber, and solid frame, nickle plated, with some blue models noted. The grips are hard rubber. Marked "The American Double Action:. SOme noted are mared H&R Bulldog. Approximately 850,000 were manufactured between 1883 and 1940.
According to the book at 100 percent gun is worth 125.00
A link follows that might add a bit more...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H_&_R_Firearms.0 -
quote:Originally posted by phillip
A long time ago,I skipped skoul to go shooting with my buddies.
I'd say so![:o)]
Really though, I'm not sure what I'd do until it happened to me. NY is funny about people having pistols without permission. Freakin' communists!0 -
I've always wanted to find a "left behind" gun and all of the possible scenarios that would come with it as to why it was there. Enjoy your find and all the stories you can dream up.
The "found gun" that still haunts me today is a Colt Single Action in 32-20 that I saw at a gun show in the Hill Country of Texas in the late 70's. The gun had been found on the Rio Grande, it was rusted in the full cock position, and the last two chambers that had been under the hammer had been fired. The next chambers were loaded and you presume the one under the hammer was also. You have to presume that the individual that dropped the cocked and ready Colt did not fair well in what ever he was engaged in at that time. If only that Colt could talk! It wasn't for sale; otherwise I would own it today!0 -
see if you can figure out who owns the cabin. it would be a cool converation piece for them, and the pistol is worth nothing even if it functioned 0 -
quote:Originally posted by tsavo303
see if you can figure out who owns the cabin. it would be a cool converation piece for them, and the pistol is worth nothing even if it functioned
It was likely a trapper cabin built well before the turn of the century. It can't be homesteaded, nor can a private claim be made to land in a National Forest. The little log and sod cabin measures about 8' x 10' and appears to have sunk into the ground over the years. The inside ceiling height is only about 5' and there is no door in the opening, nor glass or boards in the two window openings. The only furniture is a small table and a wooden bed frame. It was strange not to find any debris that may help date the cabin. There were no tin cans or bottles, no tools and no evidence of there ever being a campfire. I would guess that it was built around 1870 - 1890. The pistol was wrapped in a crusty brown cloth and was resting on a header beam that was now at my eye level. I poked it with my walking stick and it fell to the dirt floor with a thunk. My wife and I looked at each other and I said "gold." She laughed while I went into how it could have been left there a hundred years ago for safe keeping, then I unwrapped the revolver. [;)][:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by HobbyGuy
quote:Originally posted by tsavo303
see if you can figure out who owns the cabin. it would be a cool converation piece for them, and the pistol is worth nothing even if it functioned
It was likely a trapper cabin built well before the turn of the century. It can't be homesteaded, nor can a private claim be made to land in a National Forest. The little log and sod cabin measures about 8' x 10' and appears to have sunk into the ground over the years. The inside ceiling height is only about 5' and there is no door in the opening, nor glass or boards in the two window openings. The only furniture is a small table and a wooden bed frame. It was strange not to find any debris that may help date the cabin. There were no tin cans or bottles, no tools and no evidence of there ever being a campfire. I would guess that it was built around 1870 - 1890. The pistol was wrapped in a crusty brown cloth and was resting on a header beam that was now at my eye level. I poked it with my walking stick and it fell to the dirt floor with a thunk. My wife and I looked at each other and I said "gold." She laughed while I went into how it could have been left there a hundred years ago for safe keeping, then I unwrapped the revolver. [;)][:D]
Hobby,sounds neat,one question,did you check with the US FOREST SERVICE? if on federal property guess who the owner is,i would call a level 4 leo on the LOLO NF to get their professional opinon,call the S.O. of the LOLO NF and talk with the forest
supervisor or other offical, if you took some other object,lets say a 8' bolt of cherry timber,guess who would be in the wrong,federal property is not always governed by state laws and the locals,i would check just to be sure[;)]LOKO [:D]0
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