Help On Antique Firearms

[enfieldgp5]

Saw these at an estate/garage sale today: need some input from the knowledgeable folks who frequent this board. There are six firearms available but I have no idea what to pay (neither did the sellers). Any ideas would be appreciated regarding possible prices. Some photos are attached. Thanks for the help!

[sealocan]

Here some info on the gun with the four barrels stacked on top of each other.

http://guns.wikia.com/wiki/Sch%C3%BCler_Reform_Pistol

it could be a copy/clone and it does look like like the original hard rubber handles have been replaced by wood.

[sealocan]

The two with the multiple barrels in a round configuration are generalized under the term "pepperbox" and you'd need the makers names to find out their value. All though at least those look original and the finish not as bad as the Reform pistol ( keep in mind even things like if their wooden handles or metal have been refinished it will lower their value.)

[sealocan]

The other two single shot one barrel pistols are easy to identify if you did a Google image search for single shot black powder pistols ( if you can't read the makers name) looking for a match.


I think your best find and the rarity amongst the collection if I'm not mistaken is the pocketknife gun.

Again do a Google search for pocket knife gun and trying to find one that matches yours exactly.

This one I found very quickly

http://www.19thcenturyweapons.com/1108/unmarkunwrog.html

[sealocan]

Here is who I believe is the maker of the pocketknife pistol could be.
Although keep in mind back when ALL these pistols were being produced you had many counterfeit/copies being put on the market, which of course will have less value than the original makers.

http://www.horstheld.com/0-Unwin-Rodgers.htm

now to get to the part that you really want to know, their values...

Looking at their condition and the fact that I think some of them have had their metal and wood refinished.
I'm going to guesstimate some minimum prices, if they're not copies and all working/functioning as originally intended ( finding a gunsmith or working on them yourself can be problematic) ...

$1000 for the knife pocket pistol.

$300 For the Reform pistol because it is been refinished or is in very bad condition and may not be an original one.

The pepperboxes are very tough without knowing the maker but let's say $300 each.

Like all of these above "to the right collector who wants them there probably worth more" but finding that right collector takes time.

The two single shots would be the least inexpensive, again I think I can see a cracked wooden grip on one of them and new kits (well under $200) are still being made if you wanted to make your own, you can even try and give it that antique finish.

Maybe $100 for each, Again depending on the maker and if you can find a match on Google.

(The one that's in the more poor condition I would give away, once you bought the rest of them, to someone who's been helping you on the Internet )

Keep in mind I'm no expert on antique firearm pricing, I'm just trying to help out.

[sealocan]

Maybe I should also point out in case you don't already know that the pocket knife pistol might look like it could be fired but is more than likely a 25 or 32 RIMFIRE , which is not going to be an easy cartridge to get.
it could also be percussion pistol, like the pepperbox and the single shots. That means Blackpowder, small lead balls, ramrod and percussion caps to fire them.

The only one of the group that might fire a more modern ammunition, probably in 25 ACP (it might be marked 6.35 mm), is the Reform four vertical barrel pistol.

(And Only try to fire any of them after they've been judged safe to fire by a gunsmith!)

[enfieldgp5]

Great, thanks sealocan for all the information

[sealocan]

No problem, I'm glad to help out anyone in the firearms community but please keep in mind the prices I just threw out are general ballpark from a non-expert and just going by what ASKING PRICES I've seen online.

[sealocan]

Oh and don't leave us hanging!

Make sure you finish the whole yard sale/estate sale story after you finish the deal.

I have a feeling that once you tell your story you'll get some PMs (private messages) from people here who want to buy them from you.
IF you're not already getting those already.

The funny/sad thing is you might be able to get $100 (or a hundred dollar gift card) for each one of those at a gun buybacks IF they turn out to be counterfeit pieces of non-operational junk.

But I really don't think that's the case so don't go down that route and unless you have to.

[enfieldgp5]

The knife pocket pistol does show Unwin & Rodgers, the multi barrel shows Brevete DRP.

[AR22]

Just too hard to even guesstimate without more info or a hands on approach.

Just too many variables to go of with limited info and photos. If the seller is the guy that collected them. He knows the value. If a Family member selling possibly a deceased other Family members stuff. You may get a deal.

Good Luck and let us know what happens.

[sealocan]

DRP is the German abbreviation for Deutsches Reich Patent.
Brevet or Brevete is French for "patent" or "patented.

So that's not necessarily going to help you find the maker.
But keep looking For any names or addresses.

[sealocan]

^ Oh my bad, I thought you were saying one of the pepperboxes had those markings.

Those markings would be correct for the Four vertical barrel "Reform " Schuyler pistol but it's no guarantee, as those markings could be faked as well.

[Crunch130]

The Schuler Reform pistol looks like a S&W Lemon Squeezer that a mad German tinkerer took into his machine shop.

Crunch

[Cokebottle]

The Reform is a C&R, but is not an antique, and needs to be transferred through an FFL.