Me again, this time with a mystery revolver..

redlantrn · October 8, 2008, 05:27 PM

Ok, so among the mass of rifles, I found this small revolver. The only markings on the entire gun is National Arms Co, and the SN 1248xx. Looks to be a 38c, but hey, I haven't been right yet haha. Is this just some old school police "throw down"?

Thanks

PetahW · October 8, 2008, 05:59 PM

If it's a .38, it's most likely a .38 S&W - ditto, if it's a .32.

National Arms made Saturday Night Specials about 100 years before anti-gunners started using the term against us, and teat-fire revolvers before that.

IIRC, they were bought out by the Colt Pt'd F.A.Co.

They were meant to appeal as affordable carry guns, around the turn of the 20th Century.
Before the advent of modern medicine, even a small nick from a dirty .22 usually meant death from infection - not good chances for survival.

.

redlantrn · October 8, 2008, 06:07 PM

I appreciate your reply Pete. From some other research I have just done, I believe it to be a .32 Would you be able to put an approximate $ value (if any) on it?
Thanks!

claymore1500 · October 8, 2008, 09:14 PM

I don't want to bash your find, but, A friend of mine handed me one that very closely resembles yours, (his was stainless) He wanted me to "check it out" for him, I found multiple cracks around the cylinder, between chambers and between the chambers and the center pin, I told him it was junk, with a capital "J", I am not saying yours is the same, but it would make sense to look at it close.

As far as value, If it is in good shape, (guessing) I would say around $100.00 (probably at the high end)

redlantrn · October 8, 2008, 09:44 PM

thanks for the heads up. I have no intention of firing it, and knew it woudnt be worth much.

**Mike Irwin** · October 9, 2008, 12:42 AM

"his was stainless"

Doubtful.

Most likely nickle plated. Very common in the era of the breaktop revolver shooting black powder corrosive primed cartridges.

claymore1500 · October 9, 2008, 05:19 PM

stainless/ doubtful.

Yea, I know, I thought of that just after I hit the post button, My bad!!!

TEDDY · October 20, 2008, 02:22 PM

every one does it or chrome.

James K · October 20, 2008, 06:58 PM

In that day nickel plating was just becoming common and was about the only way to rust proof steel. At first "nickel plated" indicated a higher quality, but it soom became a general term for something "gussied up" to look better than it was, or so it could be sold at a higher price. Chrome plating did not come into use until the 1920's, first in the auto industry. It has been used for guns, but many people feel that nickel has a "warmer" and "classier" look than the almost "bluish" look of chrome.

A note on nickel plating. Nickel does not adhere well to steel, so most guns that were nickel plated were first lightly plated with copper, then the nickel. Some gun cleaners contain ammonia and if the cleaner can reach the copper undercladding through any place the nickel plating has been removed (like a scratch or a chip), the ammonia will dissolve the copper and the nickel plating will peel away. So do not use any ammonia based cleaner on a nickel plated gun or you may ruin it.

Jim

October 9, 2008, 12:42 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	"his was stainless" Doubtful. Most likely nickle plated. Very common in the era of the breaktop revolver shooting black powder corrosive primed cartridges. __________________ "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.

October 20, 2008, 02:22 PM	#8
TEDDY Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2006 Location: MANNING SC Posts: 837	???? every one does it or chrome.

October 8, 2008, 05:59 PM	#2
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	If it's a .38, it's most likely a .38 S&W - ditto, if it's a .32. National Arms made Saturday Night Specials about 100 years before anti-gunners started using the term against us, and teat-fire revolvers before that. IIRC, they were bought out by the Colt Pt'd F.A.Co. They were meant to appeal as affordable carry guns, around the turn of the 20th Century. Before the advent of modern medicine, even a small nick from a dirty .22 usually meant death from infection - not good chances for survival. .

October 8, 2008, 06:07 PM	#3
redlantrn Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 93	I appreciate your reply Pete. From some other research I have just done, I believe it to be a .32 Would you be able to put an approximate $ value (if any) on it? Thanks!

October 8, 2008, 09:14 PM	#4
claymore1500 Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: northcoast, Ohio Posts: 260	I don't want to bash your find, but, A friend of mine handed me one that very closely resembles yours, (his was stainless) He wanted me to "check it out" for him, I found multiple cracks around the cylinder, between chambers and between the chambers and the center pin, I told him it was junk, with a capital "J", I am not saying yours is the same, but it would make sense to look at it close. As far as value, If it is in good shape, (guessing) I would say around $100.00 (probably at the high end)

October 8, 2008, 09:44 PM	#5
redlantrn Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 93	thanks for the heads up. I have no intention of firing it, and knew it woudnt be worth much.

October 9, 2008, 05:19 PM	#7
claymore1500 Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: northcoast, Ohio Posts: 260	stainless/ doubtful. Yea, I know, I thought of that just after I hit the post button, My bad!!!

October 20, 2008, 06:58 PM	#9
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	In that day nickel plating was just becoming common and was about the only way to rust proof steel. At first "nickel plated" indicated a higher quality, but it soom became a general term for something "gussied up" to look better than it was, or so it could be sold at a higher price. Chrome plating did not come into use until the 1920's, first in the auto industry. It has been used for guns, but many people feel that nickel has a "warmer" and "classier" look than the almost "bluish" look of chrome. A note on nickel plating. Nickel does not adhere well to steel, so most guns that were nickel plated were first lightly plated with copper, then the nickel. Some gun cleaners contain ammonia and if the cleaner can reach the copper undercladding through any place the nickel plating has been removed (like a scratch or a chip), the ammonia will dissolve the copper and the nickel plating will peel away. So do not use any ammonia based cleaner on a nickel plated gun or you may ruin it. Jim