Vintage Blank Starter Pistol Info - The Firearms Forum

mbrammer1584 · 11-14-2011, 11:56 AM

Hello All,
Thank you in advance for any information you can give me regarding a very old starter pistol I have. There are no markings except under wood grip, there is a #10 stamped into metal. I have included a photo to assist. thank you

hrf · 11-14-2011, 12:46 PM

Welcome to the forum.

These were popular in Europe from ca. 1890s to WW-1 for use by bicycle riders to ward off pesky dogs. They used a "BB Cap" type load that used only a primer and contained no powder. Below is a selection in the 1911 bi-lingual catalog of Adolf Frank, Germany. (Although listed as "Floberts" the true Flobert used only a heavy hammer for the breech block, whereas these had the little gate to contain the cartridge)

RJay · 11-14-2011, 03:42 PM

And it is not a starter pistol, do not use normal modern .22 ammo in it. as you can see only that small metal breech is the only thing holding the pressure .These guns were made in great quantity and sold for very little, current value would be minimal, perhaps 50$ to someone who collects such things. The odds are also great that it was made in Belgium.

Buffalochip · 11-14-2011, 06:25 PM

As a long-distance bike rider, I've often wished I had something similar. Always figured birdshot would do, but blanks or rocksalt/baby powder in an actual derringer-sized firearm would be just as effective and less problematic with the law.

For now, I just ride with my wife and tell her "I don't need to worry about outrunning the dog--all I need to do is outrun you." She doesn't think that is very funny.

11-14-2011, 12:46 PM	#2
hrf Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,276	Re: Vintage Blank Starter Pistol Info Welcome to the forum. These were popular in Europe from ca. 1890s to WW-1 for use by bicycle riders to ward off pesky dogs. They used a "BB Cap" type load that used only a primer and contained no powder. Below is a selection in the 1911 bi-lingual catalog of Adolf Frank, Germany. (Although listed as "Floberts" the true Flobert used only a heavy hammer for the breech block, whereas these had the little gate to contain the cartridge) Attached Images

11-14-2011, 03:42 PM	#3
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,485	Re: Vintage Blank Starter Pistol Info And it is not a starter pistol, do not use normal modern .22 ammo in it. as you can see only that small metal breech is the only thing holding the pressure .These guns were made in great quantity and sold for very little, current value would be minimal, perhaps 50$ to someone who collects such things. The odds are also great that it was made in Belgium. __________________ RonJames Last edited by RJay; 11-14-2011 at 03:48 PM..

11-14-2011, 06:25 PM	#4
Buffalochip Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 754	Re: Vintage Blank Starter Pistol Info As a long-distance bike rider, I've often wished I had something similar. Always figured birdshot would do, but blanks or rocksalt/baby powder in an actual derringer-sized firearm would be just as effective and less problematic with the law. For now, I just ride with my wife and tell her "I don't need to worry about outrunning the dog--all I need to do is outrun you." She doesn't think that is very funny.

11-14-2011, 11:56 AM	#1
mbrammer1584 Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 1	Vintage Blank Starter Pistol Info Hello All, Thank you in advance for any information you can give me regarding a very old starter pistol I have. There are no markings except under wood grip, there is a #10 stamped into metal. I have included a photo to assist. thank you Attached Images -->