Uncommon revolvers

jabba21 · November 12, 2013, 05:48 PM

Hey guys. A few weeks ago, I posted some pictures of my newly acquired Colt Peacekeeper (not Peacemaker). Since then, as I've discussed the gun with other members of the gun community, I've discovered a lot of them have never heard of the gun or they just think I'm talking about a Peacemaker.

This got me thinking. What other revolvers might be out there that people usually "in the know" might not have heard of? I'm looking for any kind of uncommon revolver. Many people probably haven't heard of the Peacekeeper because it was produced for a short period of time in small numbers.

This could be anything from something produced in an odd caliber (I've talked to quite a few people that never knew the SP101 was made in 9mm), to a common model produced in an odd barrel length, to well, anything you think might be uncommon or something less likely for people to be aware of.

For instance, I never knew Zastava made a revolver until yesterday.

I'm wondering what else I may have missed. What can you guys come up with? Pics are encouraged.

P.S. Pics of my Peacekeeper are on my blog listed below if you missed my first post.

Cheapshooter · November 12, 2013, 06:26 PM

While technically not a revolver, the Ruger Hawkeye single shot with it's rotating breachblock in a Blackhawk frame it maintains the look of a SA wheelgun. Chambered in a necked down 357 magnum cartridge know as the 256 Winchester Magnum they are rare with around 3000 being produced in the 60's

SDC · November 12, 2013, 06:38 PM

The Savage 101 is another one in that vein; it was made to resemble an SAA, but is actually a single-shot, where the barrel and "cylinder" are a single piece that rotates away from the frame so you can use the ejector to pull the empty out of the chamber.

Webleymkv · November 12, 2013, 06:38 PM

How about the Walther R99? It is basically a S&W K-Frame .357 Magnum with the Walther logo put on it (much the same as the SW99 was a licensed copy of the Walther P99), but most people don't know that Walther ever marketed a revolver.

There are some other interesting European revolvers as well. Mateba has made a few different models in addition to their automatic revolver (their best-known product). You also have several different models from Manurhin of France (the most well-known and desireable being the MR-73). There were a variety of revolvers made in the UK from companies like Webley, Adams, Pryse, and Trantier. Then you have all of the various 19th Century European military revolvers from the like the Enfield Mk. II, MAS 1873, various types of Nagants (the most well-known is the Russian Model 1895 gas-seal Nagant), Type I and II Bodeo, Lebel M1892, M1879 Reichsrevolver, Mauser Zig-Zag, and even the Type 26 Revolver from Japan.

Back in the U.S., Colt has made several one-off version of their revolvers such as the Viper, Grizzly, and Kodiak. Likewise S&W has made a couple of rare and interesting variants such as the small run of fixed-sight M19's for a European police agency and the M13 "Aircrewman" (basically a M12 with an aluminum-alloy cylinder) for the U.S. Military. Finally, Ruger has made some interesting variants such as GP100's with 5" barrels and Security Sixes chambered for the British .380 Revolver cartridge (basically a .38 S&W loaded with either a 200gr LRN or 178gr FMJ) for a contract to the Indian government.

jabba21 · November 12, 2013, 07:14 PM

LifeSizePotato on Youtube did some excellent videos on some of the Mateba revolvers. I've watched them in the past and they're definitely uncommon.

The Walther R99 is definitely an interesting little revolver too. I've never seen one in person or even for sale online. There may be some Youtube videos on them but I can't say I've ever seen any either.

Just checked gunbroker and don't see any for sale. Anyone know how long they were produced and what kind of price they fetch?

JohnMoses · November 12, 2013, 07:26 PM

Webly-Fosbery automatic revolver.

Chaz88 · November 12, 2013, 07:28 PM

For me, would be kind of the holy grail of uncommon variations an a common model. S&W mod. 28 with 8&3/8" barrel or a nickel plated one with a five inch barrel.

James K · November 12, 2013, 07:54 PM

There were at least two other non-revolver revolvers, the Colt Camp Perry model, and the S&W breaktop single shots.

As to other "unknown" revolvers, there are many - the Manurhin, the Japanese New Nambu, the Russian Rex and the silent OTS, and many, many more.

Jim

Colt46 · November 12, 2013, 08:12 PM

An amazing design. The mud of the Flanders trenches didn't do it any favors though.
Cool factor through the stratosphere.

ckpj99 · November 12, 2013, 08:19 PM

Yeah, you have to check out LifeSizePotato on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/LifeSizePotato

I've learned a lot about all sorts of guns from that channel.

James K · November 12, 2013, 08:54 PM

The Webley-Fosbery was sort of an answer to a question no one was asking. Its sole advantage was that it was self cocking, but it still had to be unloaded and loaded like any other top break revolver. It had some success among service target shooters because they had to use the .455 revolver service cartridge and the W-F was faster than the Mk VI, giving more time for aiming. AFAIK, it had no significant (if any) use in combat.

I think its reason for being was nothing more than the determined resistance of the British, both officialdom and the ordinary shooter, to automatic pistols, which they tended to consider the products of barbarians like the Germans (and Americans).

I once had the opportunity to fire one, and it really is odd, not at all like firing an auto pistol, since it is so topheavy.

Jim

Dfariswheel · November 12, 2013, 09:09 PM

One that really confuses people is the Colt 357.
That's the caliber AND the name of the model.
Most people have never heard of it and think you're talking about the caliber of a Colt revolver.

Another common model of confusion is the Colt Trooper.
There are THREE, the original Trooper that uses the same frame as the Python, the Trooper Mark III, and the Trooper Mark V that use a totally different transfer bar safety-ignition system.
Many people just call all of them all "Troopers" and it gets really confusing.

One most people never heard of and which I can't even remember the name of was a cheap stainless steel revolver made in the 1970's as an inexpensive gun for security guards.
It was bolted together with Allen head cap screws.
It failed quickly so it's largely unknown today.

Bob Wright · November 12, 2013, 10:56 PM

The Colt Boa is the one that immediately comes to mind.

And the Merwin Hulbert revolvers form the 1880s. Believe the Merwin Hulbert Army model double action was used by the U.S. Post Office briefly.

And the Colt Border Patrol revovlers are very seldom seen.

And certainly the Richards designed Winchester revolvers.

And what was the .45 Auto tested by the Army in the 1900 vintage test trials, that looked a lot like a High Standard auto?

Bob Wright

jabba21 · November 13, 2013, 12:09 AM

The Colt Grizzly comes to mind after you mentioned the Colt Boa.

skidder · November 13, 2013, 03:02 AM

Just acquired this a couple weeks ago. Astra 44 Mag. I don't think there are too many of these floating around.

**Mike Irwin** · November 13, 2013, 08:06 AM

My personal favorite has always been the S&W pre-Model 27 chambered for .30 US Carbine during World War II.

They were made at the request of the War Department as a possible "commonality" sidearm. Allegedly there were a number also made on specially prepared K frames, as well.

The N frames were a beast to fire and they rather quickly rattled loose. I can't even imagine what the .30 carbine round would have done to a K frame.

Probably my other favorite is the Japanese Type 26. It was designed in the late 1880s/early 1990s and was an amalgam of ideas drawn directly from revolvers from other nations, including the breaktop S&W action and French-style lockwork (including a swing out access panel, a la the Lebel Model 1892).

The round it fired was very similar to the .38 S&W round, so similar that in some revolvers the .38 S&W round will fit and fire.

micromontenegro · November 13, 2013, 08:53 AM

In the Colt stable, the OMM Mk III and the Viper come to mind.

James K · November 13, 2013, 02:35 PM

Hi, Bob, maybe you are thinking about the Grant-Hammond, but of course it was an auto pistol and not relevant here.

Many such test guns existed only in one example and most are now lost, but guns like the Merwin-Hulbert are pretty common, as are the German, French and Japanese service revolvers. Italian revolvers were once so common and so hard for importers to sell that many were deactivated and made into table lamps. Today, owners sometimes restore them to working condition.

Jim

Bob Wright · November 13, 2013, 02:51 PM

If its been mentioned, I've overlooked it, but the .476 Enfield revolver sure need be added to the list.

In this top break, only the barrel tipped down, the cylinder stayed put and was pulled forward to extract empties which were held by the fixed extractor.

Bob Wright

James K · November 13, 2013, 03:04 PM

That was the Owen Jones (so called from the name of the inventor, an American, who was employed at Enfield). Officially, it was the Pistol, Revolver, Breech Loading, Enfield Mk 1, Caliber .476. There was a modification given the designation Mk II. It used the same sort of selective extraction as the Merwin Hulbert, with the same problems.

They were used by the British forces in Afghanistan (we were not the first to fall into that trap) with complaints about lack of power to stop the local fanatics (again, we were not the first!). They were also used by the Canadian NWMP up until c. 1911, though they were replaced by the Colt New Service.

Jim

PetahW · November 13, 2013, 05:02 PM

.

How about an 1862 Savage Navy pistol ?

.

Pond, James Pond · November 13, 2013, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Just acquired this a couple weeks ago. Astra 44 Mag. I don't think there are too many of these floating around.

I want. I WANT!!

Quincunx · November 13, 2013, 10:53 PM

High Standard Crusader .44 Magnum.

silvermane_1 · November 14, 2013, 04:31 AM

nice "Terminator" skidder.

Sevens · November 14, 2013, 06:31 AM

Does the Smith & Wesson Model 53 fit the topic? I'm not sure how "rare" they are, but chambering in .22 Jet, it would be hard to argue that they are
"normal", common or popular.

They also came with chamber inserts that allowed you to use .22LR ammunition as well as the odd, hot, bottle-neck .22 Jet round.

I also continue to seek information or hands-on sightings of the Taurus Raging Thirty, a double-action .30 Carbine chambered revolver that seemed to disappear from their catalog just as quickly as it arrived, and I've never actually seen one in the flesh.

November 12, 2013, 05:48 PM	#1
jabba21 Member Join Date: January 22, 2013 Location: Kentucky Posts: 82	Uncommon revolvers Hey guys. A few weeks ago, I posted some pictures of my newly acquired Colt Peacekeeper (not Peacemaker). Since then, as I've discussed the gun with other members of the gun community, I've discovered a lot of them have never heard of the gun or they just think I'm talking about a Peacemaker. This got me thinking. What other revolvers might be out there that people usually "in the know" might not have heard of? I'm looking for any kind of uncommon revolver. Many people probably haven't heard of the Peacekeeper because it was produced for a short period of time in small numbers. This could be anything from something produced in an odd caliber (I've talked to quite a few people that never knew the SP101 was made in 9mm), to a common model produced in an odd barrel length, to well, anything you think might be uncommon or something less likely for people to be aware of. For instance, I never knew Zastava made a revolver until yesterday. I'm wondering what else I may have missed. What can you guys come up with? Pics are encouraged. P.S. Pics of my Peacekeeper are on my blog listed below if you missed my first post.

November 12, 2013, 06:38 PM	#3
SDC Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2001 Location: People's Republic of Kanada Posts: 1,652	The Savage 101 is another one in that vein; it was made to resemble an SAA, but is actually a single-shot, where the barrel and "cylinder" are a single piece that rotates away from the frame so you can use the ejector to pull the empty out of the chamber. __________________ Gun control in Canada: making the streets safer for rapists, muggers, and other violent criminals since 1936.

November 12, 2013, 08:12 PM	#9
Colt46 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: Campbell Ca Posts: 1,090	I'll throw around the Webley-Fosberry again An amazing design. The mud of the Flanders trenches didn't do it any favors though. Cool factor through the stratosphere.

November 13, 2013, 08:06 AM	#16
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	My personal favorite has always been the S&W pre-Model 27 chambered for .30 US Carbine during World War II. They were made at the request of the War Department as a possible "commonality" sidearm. Allegedly there were a number also made on specially prepared K frames, as well. The N frames were a beast to fire and they rather quickly rattled loose. I can't even imagine what the .30 carbine round would have done to a K frame. Probably my other favorite is the Japanese Type 26. It was designed in the late 1880s/early 1990s and was an amalgam of ideas drawn directly from revolvers from other nations, including the breaktop S&W action and French-style lockwork (including a swing out access panel, a la the Lebel Model 1892). The round it fired was very similar to the .38 S&W round, so similar that in some revolvers the .38 S&W round will fit and fire. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 13, 2013, 03:04 PM	#20
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	That was the Owen Jones (so called from the name of the inventor, an American, who was employed at Enfield). Officially, it was the Pistol, Revolver, Breech Loading, Enfield Mk 1, Caliber .476. There was a modification given the designation Mk II. It used the same sort of selective extraction as the Merwin Hulbert, with the same problems. They were used by the British forces in Afghanistan (we were not the first to fall into that trap) with complaints about lack of power to stop the local fanatics (again, we were not the first!). They were also used by the Canadian NWMP up until c. 1911, though they were replaced by the Colt New Service. Jim Last edited by James K; November 13, 2013 at 03:13 PM.

November 12, 2013, 06:26 PM	#2
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	While technically not a revolver, the Ruger Hawkeye single shot with it's rotating breachblock in a Blackhawk frame it maintains the look of a SA wheelgun. Chambered in a necked down 357 magnum cartridge know as the 256 Winchester Magnum they are rare with around 3000 being produced in the 60's

November 12, 2013, 06:38 PM	#4
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,610	How about the Walther R99? It is basically a S&W K-Frame .357 Magnum with the Walther logo put on it (much the same as the SW99 was a licensed copy of the Walther P99), but most people don't know that Walther ever marketed a revolver. There are some other interesting European revolvers as well. Mateba has made a few different models in addition to their automatic revolver (their best-known product). You also have several different models from Manurhin of France (the most well-known and desireable being the MR-73). There were a variety of revolvers made in the UK from companies like Webley, Adams, Pryse, and Trantier. Then you have all of the various 19th Century European military revolvers from the like the Enfield Mk. II, MAS 1873, various types of Nagants (the most well-known is the Russian Model 1895 gas-seal Nagant), Type I and II Bodeo, Lebel M1892, M1879 Reichsrevolver, Mauser Zig-Zag, and even the Type 26 Revolver from Japan. Back in the U.S., Colt has made several one-off version of their revolvers such as the Viper, Grizzly, and Kodiak. Likewise S&W has made a couple of rare and interesting variants such as the small run of fixed-sight M19's for a European police agency and the M13 "Aircrewman" (basically a M12 with an aluminum-alloy cylinder) for the U.S. Military. Finally, Ruger has made some interesting variants such as GP100's with 5" barrels and Security Sixes chambered for the British .380 Revolver cartridge (basically a .38 S&W loaded with either a 200gr LRN or 178gr FMJ) for a contract to the Indian government.

November 12, 2013, 07:14 PM	#5
jabba21 Member Join Date: January 22, 2013 Location: Kentucky Posts: 82	LifeSizePotato on Youtube did some excellent videos on some of the Mateba revolvers. I've watched them in the past and they're definitely uncommon. The Walther R99 is definitely an interesting little revolver too. I've never seen one in person or even for sale online. There may be some Youtube videos on them but I can't say I've ever seen any either. Just checked gunbroker and don't see any for sale. Anyone know how long they were produced and what kind of price they fetch?

November 12, 2013, 07:26 PM	#6
JohnMoses Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2008 Posts: 200	Webly-Fosbery automatic revolver.

November 12, 2013, 07:28 PM	#7
Chaz88 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2010 Posts: 1,243	For me, would be kind of the holy grail of uncommon variations an a common model. S&W mod. 28 with 8&3/8" barrel or a nickel plated one with a five inch barrel.

November 12, 2013, 07:54 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	There were at least two other non-revolver revolvers, the Colt Camp Perry model, and the S&W breaktop single shots. As to other "unknown" revolvers, there are many - the Manurhin, the Japanese New Nambu, the Russian Rex and the silent OTS, and many, many more. Jim

November 12, 2013, 08:19 PM	#10
ckpj99 Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2011 Posts: 386	Yeah, you have to check out LifeSizePotato on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/LifeSizePotato I've learned a lot about all sorts of guns from that channel.

November 12, 2013, 08:54 PM	#11
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The Webley-Fosbery was sort of an answer to a question no one was asking. Its sole advantage was that it was self cocking, but it still had to be unloaded and loaded like any other top break revolver. It had some success among service target shooters because they had to use the .455 revolver service cartridge and the W-F was faster than the Mk VI, giving more time for aiming. AFAIK, it had no significant (if any) use in combat. I think its reason for being was nothing more than the determined resistance of the British, both officialdom and the ordinary shooter, to automatic pistols, which they tended to consider the products of barbarians like the Germans (and Americans). I once had the opportunity to fire one, and it really is odd, not at all like firing an auto pistol, since it is so topheavy. Jim

November 12, 2013, 09:09 PM	#12
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,561	One that really confuses people is the Colt 357. That's the caliber AND the name of the model. Most people have never heard of it and think you're talking about the caliber of a Colt revolver. Another common model of confusion is the Colt Trooper. There are THREE, the original Trooper that uses the same frame as the Python, the Trooper Mark III, and the Trooper Mark V that use a totally different transfer bar safety-ignition system. Many people just call all of them all "Troopers" and it gets really confusing. One most people never heard of and which I can't even remember the name of was a cheap stainless steel revolver made in the 1970's as an inexpensive gun for security guards. It was bolted together with Allen head cap screws. It failed quickly so it's largely unknown today.

November 12, 2013, 10:56 PM	#13
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 3,005	The Colt Boa is the one that immediately comes to mind. And the Merwin Hulbert revolvers form the 1880s. Believe the Merwin Hulbert Army model double action was used by the U.S. Post Office briefly. And the Colt Border Patrol revovlers are very seldom seen. And certainly the Richards designed Winchester revolvers. And what was the .45 Auto tested by the Army in the 1900 vintage test trials, that looked a lot like a High Standard auto? Bob Wright

November 13, 2013, 12:09 AM	#14
jabba21 Member Join Date: January 22, 2013 Location: Kentucky Posts: 82	The Colt Grizzly comes to mind after you mentioned the Colt Boa.

November 13, 2013, 03:02 AM	#15
skidder Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 640	Just acquired this a couple weeks ago. Astra 44 Mag. I don't think there are too many of these floating around.

November 13, 2013, 08:53 AM	#17
micromontenegro Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2010 Posts: 671	In the Colt stable, the OMM Mk III and the Viper come to mind.

November 13, 2013, 02:35 PM	#18
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Hi, Bob, maybe you are thinking about the Grant-Hammond, but of course it was an auto pistol and not relevant here. Many such test guns existed only in one example and most are now lost, but guns like the Merwin-Hulbert are pretty common, as are the German, French and Japanese service revolvers. Italian revolvers were once so common and so hard for importers to sell that many were deactivated and made into table lamps. Today, owners sometimes restore them to working condition. Jim

November 13, 2013, 02:51 PM	#19
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 3,005	If its been mentioned, I've overlooked it, but the .476 Enfield revolver sure need be added to the list. In this top break, only the barrel tipped down, the cylinder stayed put and was pulled forward to extract empties which were held by the fixed extractor. Bob Wright

November 13, 2013, 05:02 PM	#21
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. How about an 1862 Savage Navy pistol ? .

November 13, 2013, 10:53 PM	#23
Quincunx Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2005 Location: People's Republic of Maryland Posts: 421	High Standard Crusader .44 Magnum.

November 14, 2013, 04:31 AM	#24
silvermane_1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: Burien,WA Posts: 897	nice "Terminator" skidder.

November 14, 2013, 06:31 AM	#25
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	Does the Smith & Wesson Model 53 fit the topic? I'm not sure how "rare" they are, but chambering in .22 Jet, it would be hard to argue that they are "normal", common or popular. They also came with chamber inserts that allowed you to use .22LR ammunition as well as the odd, hot, bottle-neck .22 Jet round. I also *continue* to seek information or hands-on sightings of the Taurus Raging Thirty, a double-action .30 Carbine chambered revolver that seemed to disappear from their catalog just as quickly as it arrived, and I've never actually seen one in the flesh. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.