found this in a pawn shop in 1989

[Yucon Cornelius]

I bought this gun in Arkansas in 89, cheap. fired twenty rounds, saved 5, put it up. The tag says "Thames 38 CAL" the stamp on the barrell says #######5-86 (cant make out the 1st part) 38 Cal.
Any idea when, where, by who this was made, or how much it may be worth.
mike

 

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[TreasureTales]

Here's a brief mention of the Thames Arms Company (scroll down about 1/3 of the page - message #11708): http://www.oldguns.net/q&a8_06.htm

 

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[ivan salis]

100 pts for tt ---so its a american company from norwalk,connicut--thames was owners name--- that one was made in made in 1886 ---old turn of the century up to early 1900's time frame "break top" type---old type .38 gun NOT the modern .38 special ---and not of high value normally -- still cool "old" gun---Ivan

 

[stoney56]

Monty is right with the caliber. There are a # of .38 cal cartridges. The model above shoots the .38 S&W as compared to the .38 S&W Long (too long for that cylinder) and the .38 S&W Special.

 

[ivan salis]

happy to heear that the modern .38's are too long ---what with the modern .38 +p loads if it fit not a good mix----had a old .32 cal " cheap" owlhead split down the barrel on me yes I using the "correct"old style ammo--mild load-- in it---I am just guessing metal fatigue---I was lucky I didn't get hurt---it gave no warning ---it just split on the 2nd shot---right down the barrel long wizr---Ivan

 

[Monty]

Thanks for safety consideration bill, but it has no firing pin and no bullets! Monty

 

[bill gent]

wheres the sign "In case of illegal entry take me home"


thats some hi tec security hope u kept the receipt on that gun because when it gets stollen it will be traced back to you if u never want to fire it again loc it up or encase it in a solid boc of lucite
> Be sure to bend the nail over for added security LOL OML!!!!!

 

[MODIGGER]

They are right, pretty cheap guns, no one really wants them as shooters, so people hang them on the wall. If you are ever gonna shoot this again, please insure that the cylinder lines up with the bore so as not to shave lead, they get pretty sloppy and borderline dangerous if they get too far "unaligned". Fun to show though, grats. Value...about 30 Bucks is pretty reasonable to expect.
-Chris