Identification, information, and possible values of two pistols

CombustibleLemon · May 21, 2012, 11:24 PM

I have recently acquired a couple of pretty old pistols in trade. Both are revolvers. The first is a French Military service revolver from the 1800's and that is all the information I was able to track down about it. The second revolver, the pocket sized one with the folding trigger, I have no idea what it is or where it came from. It has an R with a crown over it, and right under that a W with a star over it. I think it is Belgian in origin and the W is the inspector? Any help would be very much appreciated as I try to figure out what I have. Thank you very much.

gyvel · May 22, 2012, 01:22 AM

The first two pics are of an 11mm French 1874 Modele d'Officier. It is mechanically identical to the Modele 1873 Chamelot Delvigne, but lightened and blued with cylinder flutes. It was specifically designed for officers to carry.

Current value depends on condition, which can be substantial, and some better photos with better lighting and less close ups would be valuable in determining a value.

The other one looks like a typical late 19th century nondescript folding trigger revolver which were made by the tens of thousands in Belgium, Spain, Germany, etc. Generally they might fetch $100.00 to the right person.

CombustibleLemon · May 22, 2012, 10:06 AM

Thanks a lot for your reply gyvel. The french revolver is in near mint condition. It is in such good condition in fact that I thought it was just a model 1874 like the 1911 or some such. Do you have any idea what a revolver like that in really good condition may be worth?

Winchester_73 · May 22, 2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Do you have any idea what a revolver like that in really good condition may be worth?

I'm pretty sure on gunbroker they bring $700 or so well used partly because they are an antique. If yours is all correct, and looks that good, I would say $1000+

CombustibleLemon · May 22, 2012, 10:29 AM

Thank you very much Winchester. Yep it is correct. And all the serial # stamped parts match up.

I am have been doing a little more research now that I know what to type lol. I found a 1874 Chamelot Delvigne Revolver for sell on gunbroker. But these are the civilian copies. Wouldn't a french military officers revolver be worth more than a civilian copy?

gyvel · May 22, 2012, 08:07 PM

I have an 1874 identical to yours, and in unfired condition. While I haven't given any thought to selling it at the present, I wouldn't let it go for less than $850.00-900.00, possibly more.

Regarding what you see on Gunbroker, the proof of the pudding is what examples that have actually sold went for.

I just looked up the one you are referring to, and that guy is not noted for his "bargain prices." Nevertheless, an example that was for commercial production would tend to be much rarer than one produced for military issue, and would most likely be more desirable to a collector.

CombustibleLemon · May 23, 2012, 07:02 PM

Thank you very much gyvel you have been more than helpful. I really appreciate both of you guys taking the time to reply to this. Thanks

gyvel · May 24, 2012, 12:21 AM

Glad to help.

I don't know if you just want to resell the gun or keep it for your collection, but I have been told that you can make brass for it by trimming and resizing .44 Special brass, and using a Lyman 42798 bullet, with 14 or 15 grains of FFFg black powder.

gyvel · May 25, 2012, 08:47 AM

After doing a little more browsing, I came to the conclusion that your little folding trigger revolver is probably worth more than what I said.

I looked at some similar examples on Gunbroker, and these seem to generate some decent bids, especially in the condition that yours is in. (It looked to be pretty decent to me.)

May 22, 2012, 08:07 PM	#6
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	I have an 1874 identical to yours, and in unfired condition. While I haven't given any thought to selling it at the present, I wouldn't let it go for less than $850.00-900.00, possibly more. Regarding what you see on Gunbroker, the proof of the pudding is what examples that have actually sold went for. I just looked up the one you are referring to, and that guy is not noted for his "bargain prices." Nevertheless, an example that was for commercial production would tend to be much rarer than one produced for military issue, and would most likely be more desirable to a collector. Last edited by gyvel; May 22, 2012 at 08:13 PM.

May 22, 2012, 01:22 AM	#2
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	The first two pics are of an 11mm French 1874 Modele d'Officier. It is mechanically identical to the Modele 1873 Chamelot Delvigne, but lightened and blued with cylinder flutes. It was specifically designed for officers to carry. Current value depends on condition, which can be substantial, and some better photos with better lighting and less close ups would be valuable in determining a value. The other one looks like a typical late 19th century nondescript folding trigger revolver which were made by the tens of thousands in Belgium, Spain, Germany, etc. Generally they might fetch $100.00 to the right person.

May 22, 2012, 10:06 AM	#3
CombustibleLemon Member Join Date: December 17, 2011 Posts: 61	Thanks a lot for your reply gyvel. The french revolver is in near mint condition. It is in such good condition in fact that I thought it was just a model 1874 like the 1911 or some such. Do you have any idea what a revolver like that in really good condition may be worth?

May 22, 2012, 10:29 AM	#5
CombustibleLemon Member Join Date: December 17, 2011 Posts: 61	Thank you very much Winchester. Yep it is correct. And all the serial # stamped parts match up. I am have been doing a little more research now that I know what to type lol. I found a 1874 Chamelot Delvigne Revolver for sell on gunbroker. But these are the civilian copies. Wouldn't a french military officers revolver be worth more than a civilian copy?

May 23, 2012, 07:02 PM	#7
CombustibleLemon Member Join Date: December 17, 2011 Posts: 61	Thank you very much gyvel you have been more than helpful. I really appreciate both of you guys taking the time to reply to this. Thanks

May 24, 2012, 12:21 AM	#8
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Glad to help. I don't know if you just want to resell the gun or keep it for your collection, but I have been told that you can make brass for it by trimming and resizing .44 Special brass, and using a Lyman 42798 bullet, with 14 or 15 grains of FFFg black powder.

May 25, 2012, 08:47 AM	#9
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	After doing a little more browsing, I came to the conclusion that your little folding trigger revolver is probably worth more than what I said. I looked at some similar examples on Gunbroker, and these seem to generate some decent bids, especially in the condition that yours is in. (It looked to be pretty decent to me.)