Great hunt found old pistol need help id

[hunter2665]

We'll fourth hunt since getting a detector. I went back to the park that was constructed late 1700s to about 1800. Just figuring out my tosoro silver. I got a big hit about 2 feet from the base of a massive oak tree. After digging and cutting smaller roots I came across a root that was about 6 inches around. Of course the signal was under that. Not to mention about 8" deep already. After spending 30 minutes coming at the root from a side angle and under digging. I pulled this out. For me this is an amazing find. Maybe to most it wouldn't be. But my hearts still pounding. Any help on identifying and if I should clean it and how would be greatly appreciated. It's about 4" long. I put it up to a 2x6 which is 5 1/2" wide.

 

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[villagenut]

Definitely do some conservation on it. An electrolysis bath is a good prescription. Should get more detail showing after a bit.

 

[hunter2665]

I would but I'm not 100% sure how to set it up. I do know water and electricity don't play we'll together lol.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

That amount of crust on it will make it impossible to id, could be real, could be a toy, no way to know. The size is right for something like a .22 or a .25 maybe...


There are a lot of websites and video instructions online, and your piece definitely needs a bath. You also might try soaking it in apple cider vinegar.....Don't try knocking the rust off as you'll likely do more harm than good.

 

[villagenut]

All you need is a plastic tub,fill with water and a good mix of washing or baking soda,a car battery charger and an old piece of junk iron to sacrifice. Best bet is to check out a video of how to or go to the cleaning and conservation part of t-net forum. Very safe operation, but too much time out of the ground without doing anything will not be good for it. I recommend putting it in distilled water until you figure out just how to proceed. Don't be disappointed though if this turns out to be a toy cap gun and not the real deal. Either way, I would be happy with it,cool find.

 

[hunter2665]

Yes I guess it could be a toy. But my thoughts on that are the weight of it. Pretty heavy for a small pistol. Keep in mind this city in the south was designed and constructed in the late 1700s. All historical district. I might try the vinegar thing. If it'll help. Tx

 

[hunter2665]

Thanks villagenut. I'm very convinced it's the real deal. I'll look into the electro now

 

[OWK]

The form factor, aspect ratio, and trigger guard size (relative to the overall pistol size) look very much like an M1911.

But it's way too small.

If I'm guessing size about right... the trigger guard doesn't look much bigger than 3/4 inch.

I don't know of a pocket pistol that size.

 

[hunter2665]

Trigger guard 1"

 

[hunter2665]

Maybe this will help. I rinsed the dirt off.

 

[villagenut]

I do think it is too small for a real gun by how it looks here. Toy cap guns were made as early as the 1860s after the Civil War when gun manufacturers felt a decline in private purchase firearms. They easily adjusted their factories to make vey look a like weapons for kids. Early ones had the weight and look of a real gun, but the only way to know for sure is to clean it up.The style of yours certainly does not place it as an early one but one similar to the gun referenced by OWK.Keep in mind too that the layer of rust is exaggerating the actual size of it, as it will come out a tad bit smaller even still.

 

[hunter2665]

Thanks bud. I have it soaking in Apple cider vinegar now. Going to try to hook up electrolosis later.

 

[villagenut]

Thought I would share this one with you, found just recently and took a lot of cleaning. Thought for sure I had a real weapon but soon realized it wasn't. I still love it just as much, for it has a story to tell on its own. I believe this one is an early Smith and Wesson, very heavy but not one maker mark to be found.

 

[hunter2665]

Thanks villagenut. Exactly how did you clean that bud. It looks great. And real or not. I found it and I love it.

 

[villagenut]

how did you clean that

Electrolysis...several dips and lots of picking and flicking. Agree, real or not, they are great finds.

 

[thrifty76now]

Wow,You did a lot of work to unearth that pistol ,so follow the advise listed and post the results.

 

[hunter2665]

Will do

 

[hunter2665]

Thanks villagenut

 

[NOLA_Ken]

How's it coming along?

 

[UnderMiner]

Looks like an old Saturday night special, purse-pistol, popular during Prohibition-era. Most likely yours was created by some fly by night gun manufacturer as many were very cheap and made to be disposable.