What is the oldest cartridge handgun you own that you still fire?,,,

aarondhgraham · March 26, 2014, 11:03 AM

What is the oldest cartridge handgun you own that you still fire?,,,

Mine would be Margaux,,,
My Model 1892 8mm Lebel,,,
Date stamped on the barrel 1903.

So Margaux is eleventy one years old this year,,,
Last year I got real lucky and scored 550 rounds of new Fiocchi ammo,,,
So now I can actually shoot her on occasion and not use up my six rounds of original ammo.

I had been nursing a box of reloads I bought from Gad's Custom Ammo,,,
But the 550 rounds of new stuff I bought should last me a long time.

I ran three cylinders of six rounds through her,,,
I kept all of the shots on a 10" paper plate at 25 yards.

It's not like I want to shoot her too often,,,
I just really have no interest in owning wall-hangers,,,
If I can't find ammo and shoot a gun I really don't want to own it.

So, post some pics of your shootable senior citizens,,,
Let's see what our grandfathers used.

Aarond

.

So

10-96 · March 26, 2014, 11:34 AM

Mine is a S&W M1917 which dates to 1918. I still shoot it and it's 1919 dated brother from time to time.

**Mike Irwin** · March 26, 2014, 12:15 PM

That's a tough one...

The oldest one I have fired is my Mle 1873 French Ordnance Revolver. I cobbled up some ammo for it and fired it back when I was working for American Rifleman.

There's also the Stevens Tip Up .22... Not sure how old that one is, probably early 1900s, but .22 Short is hard to find, and I'm pretty sure it's a black powder gun, so I've largely retired it, too.

I guess the oldest is my circa 1910 S&W Military & Police in .32-20.

9mmfan · March 26, 2014, 12:22 PM

Not as old as the ones mentioned, but it's a Smith & Wesson .38 M&P dated to 1920.

Here it is hanging out with my Highway Patrolman, in case any of you have missed the pics I've posted of it in the past.

aarondhgraham · March 26, 2014, 12:31 PM

Hello 10-96,,,

Your 1917's,,,
Are they chambered for .45 Colt?

Many years ago, back when Dinosaurs ruled the earth,,,
I had a chance to accept one of those as a gift,,,
I knew nothing about S&W revolvers then,,,
I turned it down so it went to a cousin,,,
I thought ammo for it didn't exist.

I claim the ignorance of youth on that one.

Hello Mike,,,

You have Margaux's older sister.

I got to thinking about your 32-20,,,
I don't remember ever having fired that cartridge from a handgun,,,
I remember one old coot my Pop drank with had a rifle he let me fire a few times.

For years the only ammo I could find for Margaux were reloads,,,
Gads Custom Ammo made them from cut down 32-20 cases.

I have fond memories of an Uncle, a log, beer cans, and a pair of Stevens .22 pistols,,,
Could you safely fire CB Caps through that pistol?

Aarond

.

jimbob86 · March 26, 2014, 12:38 PM

I don't don't have any really old handguns ...

I do have some milsurp rifles that are pushing 100 or more .....

.... including a Gew.88 that is turning "Eleventy-twelve."

**Mike Irwin** · March 26, 2014, 12:40 PM

"Could you safely fire CB Caps through that pistol?"

I'd probably go with some of the Aguila primer-only stuff, but to be honest, I've not been that interested.

mavracer · March 26, 2014, 12:46 PM

My 1903 Colt 32acp made in 1906 also have a 1908 vest pocket 25 that was made in 1911.

aarondhgraham · March 26, 2014, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Here it is hanging out with my Highway Patrolman, in case any of you have missed the pics I've posted of it in the past.

Pics can be posted many times,,,
It's what I was hoping for when I started this thread,,,
I want to see some pictures of guns I might not know about,,,
In particular guns that one can still find ammunition for and take shooting.

Who knows what a new or old pic might send me hunting for.

Thanks for that nice pic of your fieryarms,,,
Now if mavracer would post a pic of that 1903.

Aarond

.

James K · March 26, 2014, 03:43 PM

Not recently, but I have fired my S&W Model 1, 2nd Issue (also both my 3rd issues, but they are newer). Worked fine, and cartridge handguns don't get a lot older. We tend to scorn those little guns except as collectors items, but they were respected in the day.

Jim

spacecoast · March 26, 2014, 03:56 PM

Last weekend I shot my Erfurt Luger 9mm (1914-18) and my Colt 1917 (1919). Both worked just fine. I also gave my 1864 Remington New Model Army a little exercise, but that's not a cartridge gun. My Colt Vest Pocket Hammerless .25ACP (1913) is also great fun to shoot and very accurate. My 1922 Colt .380 Hammerless is one of my best shooters and my stepfather has a 1910 edition that still works great.

I think I like old guns...

AK103K · March 26, 2014, 04:07 PM

S&W 4th Model top break in 32 S&W. Its a black powder era gun, and thats what I load it with.

themalicious0ne · March 26, 2014, 04:10 PM

My girls. S&W 1917, 1918 Webley MK VI in .455, and a 1883 Webley R.I.C. in .450 Adams. All have been shot, they are sweet shooters too. Unfortunately the 1917 does not have original grips and the 1883 was reblued somewhere along the line. As they were given to me by my grandfather, I dont really care. They are gonna be shot and kept around for a while.

aarondhgraham · March 26, 2014, 04:47 PM

There is an ulterior motive to this thread,,,
It's not a sinister or illegal motive,,,
It's because of a gun show.

Wanenmacher's will be in Tulsa on the 5th & 6th of April,,,
I want to see some pictures of guns that I might want to look out for.

I would not mind owning another shootable antique,,,
That S&W Model 4 that AK103K posted,,,
It really caught my eye.

And that Webley themalicious0ne posted,,,
Dang but it makes me want to rent Zulu again.

Aarond

.

SIGSHR · March 26, 2014, 05:03 PM

Colt M1917 made in 1917, S&W M1917 made in 1918.

highpower3006 · March 26, 2014, 05:08 PM

Oldest gun I still shoot eh? That would be this 1914 production US Springfield 1911.

RickB · March 26, 2014, 06:04 PM

I have this old gun . . .
Colt Frontier Six Shooter. Serial number indicates it was made in 1897. But, I know that the frame is from the 1950s, and the barrel from the 1980s.
As near as I can tell, only the cylinder, grip straps, and ejector system are original. So, how old is it?
The last "old" gun I shot was a Colt model M, .380. IIRC, it was made in 1912.

gus3836 · March 26, 2014, 06:08 PM

I have a S&W break top in S&W 38 DA belly gun use at SASS side matches.

40-82 · March 26, 2014, 06:36 PM

I occasionally shoot and carry a Colt 1903 32 ACP that was one of the early ones made in 1904 with the bushing reminiscent of the 1911 that came later. Once in a while I shoot a Colt New Service made in 1900 in 455 Eley. One day I'll take the trouble to rework more 45 Colt brass down into 455 and put it into more regular service, or maybe not. The bluing is still unusually good. If something went bump in the night the gun I'd most like to have in my hand is my 1909 45 Colt New Service. With the war record of those martially marked New Services nothing I would ever face could be more than trivial compared to what that old gun has seen. On a day to day basis the one I live with in my dotage is a Colt Single Action 45. The serial number shows its manufacture date as 1902, but it is one of those that was sent back to Colt in the 50's to be re-barreled and have the cylinder replaced. When I found it in a gun shop it was in sad shape internally although the bore was still good, and it had most of the bluing and some of the case hardening from the 50's. I replaced all the springs, the cylinder bushing, and the hammer, adjusted the trigger pull, and turned the barrel to get her back to shooting where she looked.

None of these are really old guns. Old guns are Colt percussions and Smith & Wesson top breaks. These are just the guns I read about as a child in the American Rifleman and always wanted.

BigJimP · March 26, 2014, 06:42 PM

The only handgun I have made prior to 1974 or so....

is a S&W pre model 10 ...a Victory model / made in about 1945.../ but that's not "old" compared to what you guys are discussing...

bedbugbilly · March 26, 2014, 07:19 PM

Mine would be my Colt Army Special in 38 Spl. - 6" barrel - made in 1910. The old girl shoots great for being 104 years old.

blchandl2 · March 26, 2014, 07:33 PM

1918 DWM Luger 9MM

Deja vu · March 26, 2014, 07:51 PM

1873 Single action. Its chambered in 44-40. My dad says he was told it was made in 1881. We dont shoot it alot, but it does get fired every 4th of July.

10-96 · March 26, 2014, 08:34 PM

Aarond- both of my 1917's are chambered in .45ACP and both have stepped cylinder holes. It's my unnerstanding that the first S&W 1917's had smooth cylinder holes all the way through. Then somewhere along the line, someone opined that if a step was added for the ctg to headspace off of- GI's could drop the rounds in the holes and fire without the absolute need of moon clips.

JawjaBoy · March 26, 2014, 08:39 PM

S&W First Model 1899 Hand Ejector with 3 digit serial number. It doesn't get out often, but it does get a couple of cylinders of light loads run through it each year.

March 26, 2014, 11:03 AM	#1
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	What is the oldest cartridge handgun you own that you still fire?,,, What is the oldest cartridge handgun you own that you still fire?,,, Mine would be Margaux,,, My Model 1892 8mm Lebel,,, Date stamped on the barrel 1903. So Margaux is eleventy one years old this year,,, Last year I got real lucky and scored 550 rounds of new Fiocchi ammo,,, So now I can actually shoot her on occasion and not use up my six rounds of original ammo. I had been nursing a box of reloads I bought from Gad's Custom Ammo,,, But the 550 rounds of new stuff I bought should last me a long time. I ran three cylinders of six rounds through her,,, I kept all of the shots on a 10" paper plate at 25 yards. It's not like I want to shoot her too often,,, I just really have no interest in owning wall-hangers,,, If I can't find ammo and shoot a gun I really don't want to own it. So, post some pics of your shootable senior citizens,,, Let's see what our grandfathers used. Aarond . So __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

March 26, 2014, 11:34 AM	#2
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,160	Mine is a S&W M1917 which dates to 1918. I still shoot it and it's 1919 dated brother from time to time. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

March 26, 2014, 12:15 PM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	That's a tough one... The oldest one I have fired is my Mle 1873 French Ordnance Revolver. I cobbled up some ammo for it and fired it back when I was working for American Rifleman. There's also the Stevens Tip Up .22... Not sure how old that one is, probably early 1900s, but .22 Short is hard to find, and I'm pretty sure it's a black powder gun, so I've largely retired it, too. I guess the oldest is my circa 1910 S&W Military & Police in .32-20. __________________ "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.

March 26, 2014, 12:31 PM	#5
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Hello Gentlemen,,, Hello 10-96,,, Your 1917's,,, Are they chambered for .45 Colt? Many years ago, back when Dinosaurs ruled the earth,,, I had a chance to accept one of those as a gift,,, I knew nothing about S&W revolvers then,,, I turned it down so it went to a cousin,,, I thought ammo for it didn't exist. I claim the ignorance of youth on that one. Hello Mike,,, You have Margaux's older sister. I got to thinking about your 32-20,,, I don't remember ever having fired that cartridge from a handgun,,, I remember one old coot my Pop drank with had a rifle he let me fire a few times. For years the only ammo I could find for Margaux were reloads,,, Gads Custom Ammo made them from cut down 32-20 cases. I have fond memories of an Uncle, a log, beer cans, and a pair of Stevens .22 pistols,,, Could you safely fire CB Caps through that pistol? Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

March 26, 2014, 12:40 PM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	"Could you safely fire CB Caps through that pistol?" I'd probably go with some of the Aguila primer-only stuff, but to be honest, I've not been that interested. __________________ "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.

March 26, 2014, 12:22 PM	#4
9mmfan Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2012 Location: Weatherford, TX Posts: 301	Not as old as the ones mentioned, but it's a Smith & Wesson .38 M&P dated to 1920. Here it is hanging out with my Highway Patrolman, in case any of you have missed the pics I've posted of it in the past.

March 26, 2014, 12:38 PM	#6
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	I don't don't have any really old handguns ... I do have some milsurp rifles that are pushing 100 or more ..... .... including a Gew.88 that is turning "Eleventy-twelve."

March 26, 2014, 03:43 PM	#10
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Not recently, but I have fired my S&W Model 1, 2nd Issue (also both my 3rd issues, but they are newer). Worked fine, and cartridge handguns don't get a lot older. We tend to scorn those little guns except as collectors items, but they were respected in the day. Jim

March 26, 2014, 03:56 PM	#11
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Last weekend I shot my Erfurt Luger 9mm (1914-18) and my Colt 1917 (1919). Both worked just fine. I also gave my 1864 Remington New Model Army a little exercise, but that's not a cartridge gun. My Colt Vest Pocket Hammerless .25ACP (1913) is also great fun to shoot and very accurate. My 1922 Colt .380 Hammerless is one of my best shooters and my stepfather has a 1910 edition that still works great. I think I like old guns...

March 26, 2014, 04:07 PM	#12
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	S&W 4th Model top break in 32 S&W. Its a black powder era gun, and thats what I load it with.

March 26, 2014, 04:10 PM	#13
themalicious0ne Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2012 Location: Oconomowoc, WI Posts: 345	My girls. S&W 1917, 1918 Webley MK VI in .455, and a 1883 Webley R.I.C. in .450 Adams. All have been shot, they are sweet shooters too. Unfortunately the 1917 does not have original grips and the 1883 was reblued somewhere along the line. As they were given to me by my grandfather, I dont really care. They are gonna be shot and kept around for a while.

March 26, 2014, 04:47 PM	#14
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	There is an ulterior motive to this thread,,, There is an ulterior motive to this thread,,, It's not a sinister or illegal motive,,, It's because of a gun show. Wanenmacher's will be in Tulsa on the 5th & 6th of April,,, I want to see some pictures of guns that I might want to look out for. I would not mind owning another shootable antique,,, That S&W Model 4 that AK103K posted,,, It really caught my eye. And that Webley themalicious0ne posted,,, Dang but it makes me want to rent Zulu again. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

March 26, 2014, 05:03 PM	#15
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	Colt M1917 made in 1917, S&W M1917 made in 1918.

March 26, 2014, 05:08 PM	#16
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Location: Savannah TN Posts: 1,220	Oldest gun I still shoot eh? That would be this 1914 production US Springfield 1911.

March 26, 2014, 06:04 PM	#17
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I have this old gun . . . Colt Frontier Six Shooter. Serial number indicates it was made in 1897. But, I know that the frame is from the 1950s, and the barrel from the 1980s. As near as I can tell, only the cylinder, grip straps, and ejector system are original. So, how old is it? The last "old" gun I shot was a Colt model M, .380. IIRC, it was made in 1912.

March 26, 2014, 06:08 PM	#18
gus3836 Member Join Date: November 13, 2007 Posts: 84	I have a S&W break top in S&W 38 DA belly gun use at SASS side matches. __________________ What if the Hokey-Pokey really is what it's all about!

March 26, 2014, 06:36 PM	#19
40-82 Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2013 Posts: 178	I occasionally shoot and carry a Colt 1903 32 ACP that was one of the early ones made in 1904 with the bushing reminiscent of the 1911 that came later. Once in a while I shoot a Colt New Service made in 1900 in 455 Eley. One day I'll take the trouble to rework more 45 Colt brass down into 455 and put it into more regular service, or maybe not. The bluing is still unusually good. If something went bump in the night the gun I'd most like to have in my hand is my 1909 45 Colt New Service. With the war record of those martially marked New Services nothing I would ever face could be more than trivial compared to what that old gun has seen. On a day to day basis the one I live with in my dotage is a Colt Single Action 45. The serial number shows its manufacture date as 1902, but it is one of those that was sent back to Colt in the 50's to be re-barreled and have the cylinder replaced. When I found it in a gun shop it was in sad shape internally although the bore was still good, and it had most of the bluing and some of the case hardening from the 50's. I replaced all the springs, the cylinder bushing, and the hammer, adjusted the trigger pull, and turned the barrel to get her back to shooting where she looked. None of these are really old guns. Old guns are Colt percussions and Smith & Wesson top breaks. These are just the guns I read about as a child in the American Rifleman and always wanted.

March 26, 2014, 06:42 PM	#20
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	The only handgun I have made prior to 1974 or so.... is a S&W pre model 10 ...a Victory model / made in about 1945.../ but that's not "old" compared to what you guys are discussing...

March 26, 2014, 07:33 PM	#22
blchandl2 Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2008 Location: TN Posts: 526	1918 DWM Luger 9MM

March 26, 2014, 07:51 PM	#23
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	My fathers 1873 single action 1873 Single action. Its chambered in 44-40. My dad says he was told it was made in 1881. We dont shoot it alot, but it does get fired every 4th of July. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

March 26, 2014, 08:34 PM	#24
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,160	Aarond- both of my 1917's are chambered in .45ACP and both have stepped cylinder holes. It's my unnerstanding that the first S&W 1917's had smooth cylinder holes all the way through. Then somewhere along the line, someone opined that if a step was added for the ctg to headspace off of- GI's could drop the rounds in the holes and fire without the absolute need of moon clips. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

March 26, 2014, 08:39 PM	#25
JawjaBoy Member Join Date: August 21, 2013 Posts: 56	S&W First Model 1899 Hand Ejector with 3 digit serial number. It doesn't get out often, but it does get a couple of cylinders of light loads run through it each year.