Ketia0 0 #1 September 2, 2011 So my dad inherited a gun from my grandfather who recently passed away. It looks SUPER old. I have taken the wooden pistol grip off and it looks like it is almost rotted. it has two triggers. Pulling one will fire close one hammer. the other will close both at the same time. I have uploaded some pictures. I would REALLY like to shoot this gun one day. But im not too sure how safe it would be. I am going to have the walls of the gun UT (Ultrasonic Thichness testing) to look for possible weak spots. I wouldnt even know where to start to look for balls that would fit in the barrel, or a flint/primer to go on the top thing. Anyone ever use/see/dealt with a gun this old? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks"In this game you can't predict the future. You just have to play the odds. "-JohnMitchell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ketia0 0 #2 September 2, 2011 Sorry. I thought since it was an antique gun it would better fit bonfire... My bad "In this game you can't predict the future. You just have to play the odds. "-JohnMitchell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 September 2, 2011 Don't try to restore it, you'll actually significantly hurt the value of the weapon. It is a percussion cap, so it has to be 1830 or newer. Beyond that, I couldn't tell you who made it or what it is worth.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #4 September 2, 2011 Quote Anyone ever use/see/dealt with a gun this old? Twardo when he was in his teens scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ketia0 0 #5 September 2, 2011 Do you think there is a big value to this gun?"In this game you can't predict the future. You just have to play the odds. "-JohnMitchell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #6 September 2, 2011 QuoteDo you think there is a big value to this gun? Maybe. Maybe not. Depends on who made it, what it was for and how many were made. I know that in the Houston area you should be able to find a local shop that deals in antique firearms or does estate sales planning. They would be a good start before you do anything too drastic.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #7 September 2, 2011 Here's what a little google search found: http://www.gunstar.co.uk/Pistol-Hand-guns/-Antique-Percussion-Cap-gun-for-sale-gs24132.aspx--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #8 September 2, 2011 QuoteDo you think there is a big value to this gun? From the pictures you supplied, I wouldn't mess with it. It appears in fairly rough condition. I would contact a reputable gunsmith/dealer and let him appraise it. To me, it looks like something to be framed and hung over your mantle. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ketia0 0 #9 September 2, 2011 Thanks. I will check out that link later. My work green screens ( blocks) all gun websites. "In this game you can't predict the future. You just have to play the odds. "-JohnMitchell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
winsor 236 #10 September 2, 2011 Quote So my dad inherited a gun from my grandfather who recently passed away. It looks SUPER old. I have taken the wooden pistol grip off and it looks like it is almost rotted. it has two triggers. Pulling one will fire close one hammer. the other will close both at the same time. I have uploaded some pictures. I would REALLY like to shoot this gun one day. But im not too sure how safe it would be. I am going to have the walls of the gun UT (Ultrasonic Thichness testing) to look for possible weak spots. I wouldnt even know where to start to look for balls that would fit in the barrel, or a flint/primer to go on the top thing. Anyone ever use/see/dealt with a gun this old? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Without proof marks it would be hard to identify, beyond likely country of origin, vintage, etc.. It is NOT a shooter. What you have is either a collector piece or a wall hanger, depending on the market. When I was based at Spaceland, I could have given you the opportunity to shoot fully operational modern versions quite similar to yours. It's a hoot. I recommend that you do some homework regarding blackpowder firearms before shooting any of them, whether modern or vintage. Though the fundamentals are rather simple, there is a decent amount of nuance involved, and getting well-versed on basic safety procedures is a good idea when dealing with anything that can go "bang." BSBD, Winsor Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #11 September 2, 2011 QuoteDo you think there is a big value to this gun? Hard to say, but similar guns go for around $500. But don't take my word for it...I'm not a pro in antique arms and armour, I just watch Pawn Stars a lot at the Holiday Inn expresss.Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #12 September 2, 2011 Winsor really knows his shit when it comes to guns. Had the opportunity on a cloudy day to go shooting with him and his arsenal a long time ago. Loads of fun. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #13 September 2, 2011 Quotethe other will close both at the same time. Yikes. Tell you this: guns like that are the reason you didn't mess with the farmer's daughter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #14 September 2, 2011 QuoteHad the opportunity on a cloudy day to go shooting with him and his arsenal a long time ago. Loads of fun. I hope you wore ear protection. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #15 September 2, 2011 Quote Quote Had the opportunity on a cloudy day to go shooting with him and his arsenal a long time ago. Loads of fun. I hope you wore ear protection. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #16 September 2, 2011 Thank you, I'll be here all week. Try the liver and onions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
winsor 236 #17 September 2, 2011 QuoteQuoteHad the opportunity on a cloudy day to go shooting with him and his arsenal a long time ago. Loads of fun. I hope you wore ear protection. Actually, I made sure that he and his girlfriend (now wife) did, indeed, wear ear protection. Even for someone who is profoundly deaf, massively powerful firearms (.460 Weatherby, etc.) fired at close range can do damage to the inner ear, which can have adverse effects on one's balance and so forth. Flip Wilson used to advertise for Sea and Ski suntan lotion, which was viewed as a joke. It turns out that he had gone to Jamaica and assumed that, since he already had a pretty good tan going, he was immune to the tropical sun. Wrong. While in the hospital for severe sunburn/sun poisoning, his doctor told him that he should use the best sun protection he could get in the future. In the days before sunblock, that turned out to be Sea and Ski. He really was a customer, and it was not a joke. In the same sense that a blind person should wear eye protection when indicated, a deaf person should wear ear protection when things get really loud. BSBD, Winsor Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #18 September 2, 2011 QuoteQuoteDo you think there is a big value to this gun? Hard to say, but similar guns go for around $500. But don't take my word for it...I'm not a pro in antique arms and armour, I just watch Pawn Stars a lot at the Holiday Inn expresss. That is one of my favorite shows on TV. Who the hell are these people bringing these sorts of items to a pawn shop? Then they're surprised when they don't get a lot of money for it? Wow. After the American Restoration spin off that is popular, I'm waiting for the antique arms guy to get his own spin off as well!--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #19 September 2, 2011 Quote Quote Had the opportunity on a cloudy day to go shooting with him and his arsenal a long time ago. Loads of fun. I hope you wore ear protection. I'm going with Winsor's explanation. The concussion blast from the gunshots is what can fuck up your inner ear, deaf or not. It puzzled me at the time why he was so insistent, but I'm glad he was. I had bouts of tinnitus years before that day and without ear protection, there's no doubt that without the protection, I would have had another bout of tinnitus, probably worse. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #20 September 2, 2011 so much for my bad joke... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #21 September 3, 2011 QuoteQuoteBut don't take my word for it...I'm not a pro in antique arms and armour, I just watch Pawn Stars a lot at the Holiday Inn expresss. That is one of my favorite shows on TV. Who the hell are these people bringing these sorts of items to a pawn shop? Then they're surprised when they don't get a lot of money for it? Wow. After the American Restoration spin off that is popular, I'm waiting for the antique arms guy to get his own spin off as well! Yeah, love all the gun stuff on TV these days. Pawn Stars often buys old guns, and then goes out and shoots them. Same thing with the Storage Wars guys when they find guns in unpaid storage lockers. History channel has the Top Shot team shooting competition. And then there's Sons of Guns on Discovery building all kinds of unusual gun stuff. Guns have gone mainstream! Loved watching the Top Shot guys this week mowing down telephone poles with a gatling gun! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D22369 0 #22 September 3, 2011 Quote Quote the other will close both at the same time. Yikes. Tell you this: guns like that are the reason you didn't mess with the farmer's daughter. zactly... he could get both testicles with one pull RoyThey say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,483 #23 September 3, 2011 QuoteQuoteQuoteDo you think there is a big value to this gun? Hard to say, but similar guns go for around $500. But don't take my word for it...I'm not a pro in antique arms and armour, I just watch Pawn Stars a lot at the Holiday Inn expresss. That is one of my favorite shows on TV. Who the hell are these people bringing these sorts of items to a pawn shop? Then they're surprised when they don't get a lot of money for it? Wow. After the American Restoration spin off that is popular, I'm waiting for the antique arms guy to get his own spin off as well! I'd love to see a spinoff of the guy who deals in early americana they call in to validate John Hancock's signature. etc.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #24 September 3, 2011 Quote Quote Quote Quote Do you think there is a big value to this gun? Hard to say, but similar guns go for around $500. But don't take my word for it...I'm not a pro in antique arms and armour, I just watch Pawn Stars a lot at the Holiday Inn expresss. That is one of my favorite shows on TV. Who the hell are these people bringing these sorts of items to a pawn shop? Then they're surprised when they don't get a lot of money for it? Wow. After the American Restoration spin off that is popular, I'm waiting for the antique arms guy to get his own spin off as well! I'd love to see a spinoff of the guy who deals in early americana they call in to validate John Hancock's signature. etc. Ya, that guy's pretty cool, but I'd rather see a show with the guy from the clark county museum...but I doubt he'd ever sell out...Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #25 September 6, 2011 I think I'd just sell that pistol. Why take a chance of damaging it? When I was a kid, we were short on money, but we found ways to have fun....I had a friend who found an old shotgun in his barn. Now this friend (Bruce) was almost as crazy as I was, but he did have a few smarts. He didn't know what would happen to this shotgun when he fired it, so he tied it to a fence post. He ran a string back and pulled the trigger from a safe distance. It worked just fine. The only problem was that he had to use a small hammer, on it, to get the pump to work. A few days later, we decided to go duck hunting. We found a little two man rubber raft, and decided to float the river in it. Whenever a duck would fly over, Bruce would shoot, and then you'd hear this hammering sound as he tried to get another shell in the chamber. I don't think we got any ducks that day, but we had fun.... I think, if you fire this pistol, tying it to something, and running a string back, might be the smart thing to do. Shooting glasses and ear protection would be smart too....Better yet, sell it unfired. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
