small unknown pistol
 

First time user and hoping for some help? I am trying to figure out what this very small pistol is. The barrel is approx 3" long and overall about 5". The markings where the handle was I see - A2 and 18. On the underside near the trigger it the letter U and looks have to Crowns stamped. I have tried to get a close up as I could on it so you can see the markings?

Help would be great and if there is some value to it?

Re: small unknown pistol
 

You have a German "parlor-pistol". It fired an extremely low-powered rimfire round (probably a 6mm Flobert) and was designed for indoor target practice - either in the living room (the parlor) or down at the bar (instead of throwing darts).

They were made by the gazillions, all over Europe, and in perfect shape might be worth a hundred bucks.

Yours - maybe 50.

Re: small unknown pistol
 

Missing the grips and extractor, and has an improvised main spring.

I think $50 is optimistic!

Re: small unknown pistol
 

Mainly it is missing the breechblock, so it is not usable and any attempt to fire it could result in serious injury or even death.

Jim

Re: small unknown pistol
 

Thanks for the information. Just to use as a wall hanger is there a place to buy the missing part and grips?

Re: small unknown pistol
 

There is no known source for parts for these old guns other than a parts gun /donor gun. And if a donor gun was in good enough shape to use the parts, heck, you would keep it and throw the other one away. Sorry, what you have is a piece of " gun " junk.

Re: small unknown pistol
 

Here's what to do:

Make a set of grips for it. It will be good practice and give you a project. Then clean up the metal without removing any, and then either re-blue it with a home kit or spray it with lacquer to keep it from rusting. Then make up a small, glass fronted display case to show it off and put a card in it proclaiming it to be Sacajawea's personal garter pistol on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. (When asked, tell them I put you up to it.)

All your guests will love it.

Re: small unknown pistol
 

Sacajawea? Little early for a cartridge gun. At least make it plausible.

Clara Barton
Florence Nightingale
Mata Hari
Queen Victoria
Carrie Nation
Belle Starr

Pick one and spin a tale about her garter pistol!

Re: small unknown pistol
 

No, Bill. The point is to make it outrageous, or people will believe it and not ask any questions.

I used to have a BM-59 I identified as having been carried by Julius Caesar's bodyguard in the Gallic Wars. Got lots of laughs and talk about it.

Re: small unknown pistol
 

I once heard someone describe an M1 Carbine as the one carried by Grant at Gettysburg; he actually seemed to be serious and a couple of listeners knew so little they believed him. No one even mentioned that not only was the M1 Carbine 77 years in the future in 1863, but that Grant wasn't at Gettysburg!

Jim

Re: small unknown pistol
 

Thanks for all your replies, some interesting idea's. Guessing going Elk hunting is out.

Re: small unknown pistol
 

Not even mouse hunting until the gun is fixed.

Jim