Anyone know the origin of this pistol?

[.36Rooster]

I can not find any markings anywhere other than a simple brass carp inlaid on the left hand side.

All I know is it's old. Upon removing the wood stock you're immediately struck by the smell of an old attic or an antique book.

Pistol is approx .45 caliber, and about 19-20 inches long overall. Mostly barrel, which, I believe is 14 inches in length. I would venture to say it is at least 50 years old, but every time I examine it I wonder if it's even older. I'd love to know it's age or origin.

 

[LawrenceA]

A repro methinks.
Looks like a garage gun. i.e. Made in the garage.
I know you said no markings, but are there any markings under the barrel or inside the lock?

 

[.36Rooster]

I am thinking it's an old repro as well. I have yet to find a marking at all. Zilch.

I will put up a picture of the carp when I get home. I hoped someone would possibly recognize the maker's work.

It is a very nice old gun. Well built and solid. Very close fitting parts. The guy was a real craftsman.

 

[.36Rooster]

 

[TFoley]

would venture to say it is at least 50 years old, but every time I examine it I wonder if it's even older. I'd love to know it's age or origin.

Fifty years ago is still only 1971 - hardly an antique.

 

[hawkeye2]

Fifty years ago is still only 1971 - hardly an antique.

It is if you are selling on that auction site. Anything older than last year is "vintage".

 

[TFoley]

I guess it depends where you are coming from. Around where I live -

1. The church has part of the nave dating from around 900AD.

2. Both villages are mentioned in the 1086AD Domesday Book.

3. The bridge into the lower village was built in 1203AD.

4. On each side of the road leading up the hill, in the last 20 years of field-walking, over 6000 items dating from between 4500 BC and 600AD have been found.

5. Just up the road is a large site of a Roman mansio dating from around 280 - 300 AD.

Many houses in our village were built between 1580AD and 1640AD...

Trust me, fifty years just ain't an antique.

 

[hawkeye2]

TFoley

I love history and things old but when I stood in a room in Krakow that was almost 400 years old when Columbus "discovered" this country things were put in perspective.

 

[Auldjin]

When my father was active in the 30's the percussion revolvers he collected were only 70 or 80 years old.

 

[Sam squanch]

Someone’s home build probably. Might want to dig through some old Dixie catalogs to see if turner sold anything similar. That would be a good squirrel pistol.

 

[.36Rooster]

That would be a good squirrel pistol.

Great minds think alike. Just couldn't let it get away. Even if it was a .44 I figured if it doesn't group well with 10 grains for squirrel hunting then it would be a blast for target shooting.

 

[.36Rooster]

It just seems like it was built for squirrels. I wish it was a .36

 

[Treestalker]

View attachment 60637

Looks like a latter day target pistol, like some I've see from back in the 50's-60's. Love the carp side plate, 'Carpe Diem'?

 

[toot]

what ever it is? I certainly like it!!!

 

[.36Rooster]

It just seems like it was built for squirrels. I wish it was a .36

Well, you sure didn't have to talk me into it. Especially since I had a few hours to kill today...

 

[snuffy19608]

I guess it depends where you are coming from. Around where I live -

1. The church has part of the nave dating from around 900AD.

2. Both villages are mentioned in the 1086AD Domesday Book.

3. The bridge into the lower village was built in 1203AD.

4. On each side of the road leading up the hill, in the last 20 years of field-walking, over 6000 items dating from between 4500 BC and 600AD have been found.

5. Just up the road is a large site of a Roman mansio dating from around 280 - 300 AD.

Many houses in our village were built between 1580AD and 1640AD...

Trust me, fifty years just ain't an antique.

Let me guess, you're not in Cleveland?

 

[44-henry]

Neat old pistol, I doubt it was a commercial job and looks to be made with a mix of newer and antique parts. My guess would be 60's or 70's build. Could be refined to 36, but looks like it works fine just the way it is. Follow the video below for a scrumptious meal.

 

[.36Rooster]

Neat old pistol, I doubt it was a commercial job and looks to be made with a mix of newer and antique parts. My guess would be 60's or 70's build. Could be refined to 36, but looks like it works fine just the way it is. Follow the video below for a scrumptious meal.

I'll tell you man, if there's one thing I can do right, it's clean and fry a mess of squirrels. I wish I had more success with other pursuits.

The way I do it though is I make a cut across their back, and work my fingers in and pull up and down, the shirt and pants come right off. Take off the 4 legs. Behind shoulder blades on front, nick the ball joints on the rear, and make a cut up the ribs on each side and pull the back right out. I'm pretty fast. No mess. Goes right in kitchen trash, nothing wasted except what needs to be.

 

[.36Rooster]

If I can get this rifle I'm working on up and shooting I'd have a few more messes before season closes, but that's another matter!

 

[.36Rooster]

My guess would be 60's or 70's.

Thats kind of what I'm thinking too. Definitely an old gun. Might even be, dare I say, and as tree stalker mentioned, 50's or 60's. Man, that wood stock smells just like an old book.

The guy who made it is probably dead and gone, but I'd give anything to know more about him.