Pre 1900 revolver/handgun - The Firearms Forum

mscoolone · 03-12-2004, 01:31 PM

I am look for history/information/value of this handgun.
See attached photo.
It was handed down from a deceased WWII veteran,
most likely he had received in Germany/Austria.
I was told that it was made around 1890 some where in Europe.
On the top of the revolver/handgun it has the stamping:

--->ARM'NIUS<---
DEUTSZCH INDUSTA

Also the barrel has:

Cal 320

Stampings are somewhat worn.

mscoolone · 03-12-2004, 01:32 PM

Addition Photo

CountryGunsmith · 03-13-2004, 04:19 AM

These guns were made under the Arminius name by Friedrich Pickert in Germany before WW2. Place of manufacture (Zella-Mehlis or St Basil) would help date your gun to pre- or post-1920. There were several models with slightly different configurations in calibers from .22 through .380 revolver.

The cartridge is obsolete but available on the custom-loading market. That said, the lockwork on these guns is somewhat fragile and very expensive to repair.

Your description of the stampings makes me wonder if the piece has been polished at some point. I cant tell the true color from the picture, but these guns were a subdued rust-blue color with brilliant fire-blue small parts.

Value (if not reblued with washed-out markings) would be around $250. Cut that in half with worn/obliterated markings.

Smokin Guns · 03-13-2004, 08:36 AM

Welcome to TFF mscoolone! Reckon CG has it nailed down for ya!...

03-12-2004, 01:31 PM	#1
mscoolone Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NE PA Posts: 2	Pre 1900 revolver/handgun I am look for history/information/value of this handgun. See attached photo. It was handed down from a deceased WWII veteran, most likely he had received in Germany/Austria. I was told that it was made around 1890 some where in Europe. On the top of the revolver/handgun it has the stamping: --->ARM'NIUS<--- DEUTSZCH INDUSTA Also the barrel has: Cal 320 Stampings are somewhat worn. Attached Images -->

03-12-2004, 01:32 PM	#2
mscoolone Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NE PA Posts: 2	Addition Photo Addition Photo Attached Images

03-13-2004, 04:19 AM	#3
CountryGunsmith Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Deep Piney Woods of East Texas Posts: 5,116	These guns were made under the Arminius name by Friedrich Pickert in Germany before WW2. Place of manufacture (Zella-Mehlis or St Basil) would help date your gun to pre- or post-1920. There were several models with slightly different configurations in calibers from .22 through .380 revolver. The cartridge is obsolete but available on the custom-loading market. That said, the lockwork on these guns is somewhat fragile and very expensive to repair. Your description of the stampings makes me wonder if the piece has been polished at some point. I cant tell the true color from the picture, but these guns were a subdued rust-blue color with brilliant fire-blue small parts. Value (if not reblued with washed-out markings) would be around $250. Cut that in half with worn/obliterated markings. __________________ The autonomic nervous system provides for involuntary muscle function - the work of breathing, digestion, and so forth. On some folks, that's a pure waste of ingenuity.

03-13-2004, 08:36 AM	#4
Smokin Guns Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: "Gun Culture Members Clubhouse"... Posts: 4,463	Welcome to TFF mscoolone! Reckon CG has it nailed down for ya!... __________________