✅ SOLVED Found old revolver :)

[confederate83]

Found this morning where an old barn used to be it was on top of the ground in some tall grass appears to be .32 cal cylinder still spins after soaking in oil got it to break over I'm thinking smith and wesson but not sure I can make out most of the serial number it's 15348 best I can tell any thoughts

 

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[confederate83]

Any idea how to figure out a year of manufacture on this thing

 

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[drbecker]

Nice collection. I am no expert but they all look very much earlier than the early 1900's, at the latest (the .45's) ?

It's impossible to get a licence here, for Joe Citizen to carry a handgun.
It's only become common lately for the Police to admit, some cop vehicles will carry a firearm.
Mike

All in that picture are WWI (1914-1918) vintage except the one Webley is Earlier but not earlier then about 1900.

 

[drbecker]

Any idea how to figure out a year of manufacture on this thing

Forehand and Wadsworth was in business from 1871 to about 1890 when it became Forehand arms which was sold to Hopkins and Allen in 1902.

Here is a link to some history.

Forehand & Wadsworth: 'Other Guys' Deserve Mention - Gun Digest

 

[MoJoe]

As good a shape as the gun is in, you gotta wonder what happened to the grips. If you can find a reproduction of the early Sears catalog, there are lots of those type of inexpensive pistols advertised in that, complete with pictures. It's a fun book to look through.

From page 733 of the 1908 Sears and Roebuck Catalog. Thanks for the idea BosnMate!

 

[ivan salis]

forehand * 5 shot 32 break top action -- around the turn of the century cheap 32 cal "pocket pistols" were quite common .

 

[MoJoe]

The slant of the trigger guard does resemble the Iver Johnson more. it also came in a break down, 5 shot, .32 S&W caliber.
This was also in the 1908 Sears Catalog

 

[woodstock]

Well to those who call it cheap seem to forget that at the time everything seems to be cheap by today's standards . Laborers made less that 25 cents a hour . I own two quality vintage 32's and they are not the Saturday Night Specials that flooded the market in the 1970's and later . They are well built quality revolvers that I fire still.
And this revolver in it's condition is considered a "relic" and should be legal to own in any state . If your state requires a license to carry ... why would you carry this? And for those who'll say it's not old enough to be considered a relic you're right , it isn't , But you can have it in it's current state as a non-firing weapon ... unless you're a Felon . I have found or dug two of these kind of weapons in Illinois and showed them to Rockford Detectives and they chuckled and gave them back . "Nothing can fire and nothing to trace" one said . That being said I have found firing and dangerous pistols in Rockford parks and they stayed put and where picked up by police when I notified them .
Also you could restore it BUT I would NEVER fire it because of unseen damage in the steel from being buried for so long . IMHO , Woodstock

 

[50cent]

25 cent an hour went a long way back then, should try and put things in perspective cause everyone knows that old stuff is high quality stuff.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Nice find.

Out of interest, do you have to have a gun licence, having dug a possible viable weapon?
Mike

Ha Ha We dont need no stinkin' liscense.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

The slant of the trigger guard does resemble the Iver Johnson more. it also came in a break down, 5 shot, .32 S&W caliber.
This was also in the 1908 Sears Catalog
View attachment 808766

You saved me the trouble of searching for my Sears Roebucks. I also had one with the owls on the hand grips..

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Can we mark this SOLVED?

 

[Tnmountains]

Use cowboy loads only do not use the modern ammo.

 

[confederate83]

Yes mark it solved after several ultrasonic gleanings you can now make out forehand arms on the gun thanks to everyone

 

[ivan salis]

I said forehand

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I'd like to see a pic of it all cleaned up....