✅ SOLVED Latest "Shootin Iron" find, but who made it?

[Ironman!]

I eyeballed this little .32 cal. pistol on a 4 hr. relic hunt recently. I and a few friends cannot find an exact match. Plenty of other pistols are close but nothing exactly matches yet. Are there any gun experts that can come up with a picture or proof of exactly who made this. It is fully loaded with Union Metallic Cartridges (a raised U). I know they're referenced as a "Pocket Pistol, "Boot Pistol", or "Suicide Special" and have used these search parameters. The only identifying marks on it that I can make out so far is a serial number on the grip (2573). I cannot see any markings on the barrel or top strap over the cylinder.

The closest matches have been S&W, Norwich Arms, Johnson & Bye, etc. We haven't been able to find an exact match for the cylinder. One friend in my circle who knows guns, says that he believes the cylinder is older and may have been added later?

Thank you for looking,
IM

P.S. I did also find the screw for the grip. If you look at the picture of the pistol as I eyeballed it, it is at 6 o'clock of the hammer!

 

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[NOLA_Ken]

The frame below and just in front of the rear of the cylinder has an inward step cut out on the model you show..
A bullet style ejector rod was popular...wonder if any were cut down for easier pocket draw??

Ironmans gun has the same step in the frame, it's not as easy to see with it being rusted....

 

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[Simon1]

relevantchair posted:

The third down on the left is not close?
Click image for larger version.


I agree, everything about this looks like a very close match, only difference I see is what you pointed out as the front sight and that was easily explained.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Third one down on the left has the "step in" on the frame in the wrong position, also the index notches on the cylinder are further back

 

[Simon1]

Third one down on the left has the "step in" on the frame in the wrong position, also the index notches on the cylinder are further back

Yes, I see what you are saying.

 

[Ironman!]

After showing the ID provided by NOLA_Ken to some "gun people" they concur that it is close enough! So I will mark it solved and thank everyone for the help. You can see it in an up coming issue of American Digger with a two of a kind 1852 pattern Navy buckle I found in a California Gold Rush camp!!

IM

Thank You Ken!!