Firearms International Regent .22 Revolver - The Firearms Forum

J.Franklin · 06-13-2008, 10:33 AM

Wonder if anyone knows anything about this pistol? Good bad or indifferent...
Pics attached...
thanks...

Shooter45 · 06-13-2008, 06:15 PM

Imported from Italy starting in 1961. These were cheap revolvers that sold for $35.99.

tenbears · 06-13-2008, 09:25 PM

Wow! I haven't seen one of these in 35 years.

J.Franklin · 06-13-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shooter45

Imported from Italy starting in 1961. These were cheap revolvers that sold for $35.99.

Hmmm...maybe a different revolver, this one has Made in U.S.A. on it...pic attached

rvrrat · 08-23-2009, 12:45 PM

I have the same exact revolver. cant figure out how to break it down for cleaning

Dragoon · 08-23-2009, 03:09 PM

Firearms International Corporation, Wahington 22, D.C. (in the days before zip codes), was very active as a both an importer & a manufacturer of firearms in the 1960's up through the implementation of the GCA.

They produced, for example, the skeletonized survival rifle/shotgun that later became the Garcia Bronco. They also imported the Astra Cub from Spain. Whwn bringing those in was prohibited, they reputedly later made the American version of this gun, the Colt Junior. While theoretically possible (Colt did, after all, eadlier import a differently marked & stocked Cub as this gun), I've never been able to verify that tale. Maybe a Colt aficionado can comment on that.

As to the revolver at hand, I would note that the plastic grips look just like those used by High Standard & copied by Arminius (Germany), for whatever that's worth.

RJay · 08-23-2009, 06:39 PM

After the 1968 gun control ban which stopped the importation of certain type of firearms, several outfits tried to get around the law by importing parts, all the parts and assembling them, presto , the same firearm, except now it has " Made in US" stamped on the side. The original Regent is German made by Rohm or Weibrauch. A Rose by any other name is still a........

Bill DeShivs · 08-23-2009, 08:46 PM

The GCA '68 banned the importation of RECEIVERS of guns that did not meet import criteria. All other parts could be imported. Consequently, receivers were made here, thus the "Made in USA."

RJay · 08-23-2009, 09:23 PM

Which is why you will run into RG-10;s that are maked "Made in the US".

Al Sutlick · 03-21-2010, 01:15 AM

I purchased a Regent 8-round 22 LR revolver back in 1963, while I was in the
navy stationed in WA state. It was the first handgun of any type that I
acquired. It was manufactured in what was then West Germany. Can't
remember what I paid for it new, but it wasn't very much. I didn't keep it
for very long, before I traded it in for something better. When I would go out
plinking, I'd take a carton of 500 rounds with me and shoot a sizeable portion
of it. I couldn't fire more than a couple of hundred rounds, before I'd have to
stop shooting, to clean the gun. The forcing cone would always shave the
lead, resulting in a significant buildup of lead in the forcing cone which in
turn would eventually prevent cylinder rotation. Went back to the same
gun shop where I purchased it and traded it in on a Smith & Wesson K-22
Masterpiece (Model 17) which I still have to this day. The K-22 hasn't
missed a beat. Paid something like $82 for it, new.

jondar · 03-21-2010, 10:58 AM

It was one of the few handguns that passed the rigorous "Saturday Night Special" test, 5000 rounds with no breakdown, in 1979 at the request of the U. S. Senate. A couple of Rohms also passed. These Regents are held together by pins and are a bear to work on. Not recommended that you completely disassemble them.

06-13-2008, 10:33 AM	#1
J.Franklin Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	Firearms International Regent .22 Revolver Wonder if anyone knows anything about this pistol? Good bad or indifferent... Pics attached... thanks... Attached Images -->

06-13-2008, 06:15 PM	#2
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,752	Re: Firearms International Regent .22 Revolver Imported from Italy starting in 1961. These were cheap revolvers that sold for $35.99.

06-13-2008, 09:25 PM	#3
tenbears Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 18	Re: Firearms International Regent .22 Revolver Wow! I haven't seen one of these in 35 years. __________________ "I'd rather be missed by a .45 than hit by a .22". quoted by a bad guy. http://www.22longrifleclub.com

08-23-2009, 12:45 PM	#5
rvrrat Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1	Re: Firearms International Regent .22 Revolver I have the same exact revolver. cant figure out how to break it down for cleaning

08-23-2009, 03:09 PM	#6
Dragoon Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 22	Re: Firearms International Regent .22 Revolver Firearms International Corporation, Wahington 22, D.C. (in the days before zip codes), was very active as a both an importer & a manufacturer of firearms in the 1960's up through the implementation of the GCA. They produced, for example, the skeletonized survival rifle/shotgun that later became the Garcia Bronco. They also imported the Astra Cub from Spain. Whwn bringing those in was prohibited, they reputedly later made the American version of this gun, the Colt Junior. While theoretically possible (Colt did, after all, eadlier import a differently marked & stocked Cub as this gun), I've never been able to verify that tale. Maybe a Colt aficionado can comment on that. As to the revolver at hand, I would note that the plastic grips look just like those used by High Standard & copied by Arminius (Germany), for whatever that's worth. Last edited by Dragoon; 08-23-2009 at 03:14 PM..

08-23-2009, 06:39 PM	#7
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: Firearms International Regent .22 Revolver After the 1968 gun control ban which stopped the importation of certain type of firearms, several outfits tried to get around the law by importing parts, all the parts and assembling them, presto , the same firearm, except now it has " Made in US" stamped on the side. The original Regent is German made by Rohm or Weibrauch. A Rose by any other name is still a........ __________________ RonJames

08-23-2009, 08:46 PM	#8
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,470	Re: Firearms International Regent .22 Revolver The GCA '68 banned the importation of RECEIVERS of guns that did not meet import criteria. All other parts could be imported. Consequently, receivers were made here, thus the "Made in USA." __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

08-23-2009, 09:23 PM	#9
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: Firearms International Regent .22 Revolver Which is why you will run into RG-10;s that are maked "Made in the US". __________________ RonJames

03-21-2010, 01:15 AM	#10
Al Sutlick Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1	Re: Firearms International Regent .22 Revolver I purchased a Regent 8-round 22 LR revolver back in 1963, while I was in the navy stationed in WA state. It was the first handgun of any type that I acquired. It was manufactured in what was then West Germany. Can't remember what I paid for it new, but it wasn't very much. I didn't keep it for very long, before I traded it in for something better. When I would go out plinking, I'd take a carton of 500 rounds with me and shoot a sizeable portion of it. I couldn't fire more than a couple of hundred rounds, before I'd have to stop shooting, to clean the gun. The forcing cone would always shave the lead, resulting in a significant buildup of lead in the forcing cone which in turn would eventually prevent cylinder rotation. Went back to the same gun shop where I purchased it and traded it in on a Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece (Model 17) which I still have to this day. The K-22 hasn't missed a beat. Paid something like $82 for it, new.

03-21-2010, 10:58 AM	#11
jondar V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 458	Re: Firearms International Regent .22 Revolver It was one of the few handguns that passed the rigorous "Saturday Night Special" test, 5000 rounds with no breakdown, in 1979 at the request of the U. S. Senate. A couple of Rohms also passed. These Regents are held together by pins and are a bear to work on. Not recommended that you completely disassemble them.