Help ID this Rolling Block Pistol - The Firearms Forum

tomkat77 · 09-17-2012, 06:07 PM

Hi all I'm a newbe and could sure use some help.
Sorry about the lack of info but this is what I got.
No marks are visable and I don't want to take it apart just yet.
Help if you have seen one like this.
Thanks Tomkat

hrf · 09-17-2012, 06:26 PM

Welcome to TFF tomkat,

It's a type that was common in South America, probably made in Belgium or Spain. The Belgian ones would have proofmarks, but looks like it's been refinished and they may have been polished off.

Jim K · 09-17-2012, 06:33 PM

It is of a general type of double barrel pistol known as a garrucha. These were/are common in Brazil and other countries where the ownership of repeating handguns was restricted, often being banned for "native" populations. The double barrel was a sort of compromise, more effective than a single shot, but not as dangerous to "the establishment" as revolvers or auto pistols.

From time to time, importers have brought some into the U.S. but they have never been anything but novelties. They were have been made in Belgium, Spain and Brazil. If there are no proof marks, Brazil would seem the most likely origin.

Jim

RJay · 09-17-2012, 07:10 PM

Most of these guns were chambered in .320 caliber, at this time and date I don;t know if it is availabe or not.

tomkat77 · 09-18-2012, 04:22 PM

Thanks so much you guys really know your guns !
Any Idea on the value of this gun.
I'm not selling it but just kind of wanted to know if it was worth anything.
Thanks again
Tomkat

hrf · 09-18-2012, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomkat77

Thanks so much you guys really know your guns !
Any Idea on the value of this gun.
I'm not selling it but just kind of wanted to know if it was worth anything.
Thanks again
Tomkat

Have you measured the chambers or bores?

I've seen some that came from S.A. in large calibers such as .450, which usually sell better than the smaller ones.

hrf · 09-18-2012, 05:27 PM

(duplicate, deleted)

tomkat77 · 09-18-2012, 06:02 PM

the bore at the end of the barrel is 3/8 or 7/16

hrf · 09-18-2012, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomkat77

the bore at the end of the barrel is 3/8 or 7/16

7/16" is about what my .450s measure at the muzzle; I thought it looked larger than a .320 or .380.

If you happen to have a .44-40, .45ACP or .45 Colt round, see if it will enter the chamber part way, or come close.

(But please don't try to fire anything in it!)

tomkat77 · 09-18-2012, 06:28 PM

thanks I give the results tomorrow when I get a 45 round

Jim K · 09-18-2012, 08:21 PM

The value is not high; they usually bring under $100 if they sell at all.

Jim

Alpo · 09-18-2012, 08:58 PM

The only one of those things I have ever seen in person (as opposed to pictures) was chambered for 44 Extra-Long shot. That was the grandfather of the 410 cartridge.

The guy tried some current 410 shells in it. Then we called the ambulance to take him to the ER for his hand. That was a bad plan.

09-17-2012, 06:07 PM	#1
tomkat77 Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 4	Help ID this Rolling Block Pistol Hi all I'm a newbe and could sure use some help. Sorry about the lack of info but this is what I got. No marks are visable and I don't want to take it apart just yet. Help if you have seen one like this. Thanks Tomkat Attached Images -->

09-17-2012, 06:26 PM	#2
hrf Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,278	Re: Help ID this Rolling Block Pistol Welcome to TFF tomkat, It's a type that was common in South America, probably made in Belgium or Spain. The Belgian ones would have proofmarks, but looks like it's been refinished and they may have been polished off.

09-17-2012, 06:33 PM	#3
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Help ID this Rolling Block Pistol It is of a general type of double barrel pistol known as a garrucha. These were/are common in Brazil and other countries where the ownership of repeating handguns was restricted, often being banned for "native" populations. The double barrel was a sort of compromise, more effective than a single shot, but not as dangerous to "the establishment" as revolvers or auto pistols. From time to time, importers have brought some into the U.S. but they have never been anything but novelties. They were have been made in Belgium, Spain and Brazil. If there are no proof marks, Brazil would seem the most likely origin. Jim

09-17-2012, 07:10 PM	#4
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: Help ID this Rolling Block Pistol Most of these guns were chambered in .320 caliber, at this time and date I don;t know if it is availabe or not. __________________ RonJames

09-18-2012, 04:22 PM	#5
tomkat77 Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 4	Re: Help ID this Rolling Block Pistol Thanks so much you guys really know your guns ! Any Idea on the value of this gun. I'm not selling it but just kind of wanted to know if it was worth anything. Thanks again Tomkat

09-18-2012, 05:27 PM	#7
hrf Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,278	Re: Help ID this Rolling Block Pistol (duplicate, deleted) Last edited by hrf; 09-18-2012 at 05:30 PM..

09-18-2012, 06:02 PM	#8
tomkat77 Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 4	Re: Help ID this Rolling Block Pistol the bore at the end of the barrel is 3/8 or 7/16

09-18-2012, 06:28 PM	#10
tomkat77 Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 4	Re: Help ID this Rolling Block Pistol thanks I give the results tomorrow when I get a 45 round

09-18-2012, 08:21 PM	#11
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Help ID this Rolling Block Pistol The value is not high; they usually bring under $100 if they sell at all. Jim

09-18-2012, 08:58 PM	#12
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: Help ID this Rolling Block Pistol The only one of those things I have ever seen in person (as opposed to pictures) was chambered for 44 Extra-Long shot. That was the grandfather of the 410 cartridge. The guy tried some current 410 shells in it. Then we called the ambulance to take him to the ER for his hand. That was a bad plan. Attached Images __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.