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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[basque-man]

It has the look of a semi-auto. Has a lot of crust on it for sure. Electric shock for sure with help get the crud off.!!! Good luck. If she is real keep checking to see if there is a mag in it!!!!! Ya just never know.

 

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[hunter2665]

Thanks guys I am giving her the electro shock as we speak. I'll post progress pictures later tonight

 

[hunter2665]

Here's the results so far after two days of electrolosis

 

[Tedyoh]

To my eye the last two pictures showing the mold line makes your gun a toy but cool find none the less!

 

[NEPADIGGER7]

Looks like a toy. Unless there's a lot of salt in the ground like a beach but I've never seen a real gun that bad unless it's been underwater a long time. It definately does look like a semi auto but it almost has a mini 1911 frame. Maybe it's one of those gun lighters but who knows it's so hard to tell with all that crusty stuff!

 

[hunter2665]

I agree it looks like mold lines on the top of the barrel. Hopefully soon a lot more will be showing. I get more excited every time I take it out of it's bath lol.

 

[Swaveab]

I'm not a gun expert, but don't the real guns tend to have non-metal sides to the pistol grips? I believe wood and pearl was common. Also a real gun would not have a barrel so thin as to have it rot through so easily. I too lean it to be a toy, but if it had the possibility of being real, I would've asked either the police or a local gun club for help with it.

 

[uglymailman]

I tend to agree with Tedyoh, a toy because of the mold line. Check the butt of the handle for a clip. I had a blank gun as a kid. Not a cap gun. Looks like a simi auto. It was a bit smaller than that. The first automatics came out around 1900 or just before. Still would make my heart go pitty-patter. Good luck.

 

[hunter2665]

The barrel is not rotted through. What you see is the original barrel through the rust. I'm really not sure what the police could of done. This was unearthed deep from under a root of an old oak tree. Time will tell hopefully soon. But I do like hearing everyone's opinions on the possibilities.

 

[Randyg12]

That's to cool! Even if it's a toy pistol it's a great find! WTG!

 

[Simon1]

I would agree with Tedyoh in the appearance of the mold lines, especially down the middle of the barrel. That is one area you certainly would not want "pieced" together on a conventional firearm. Also, the area of the hand grips looked slightly raised, some toy pistols had a "swing away" plate attached there. No matter what, like everyone says, that is still a great find !

 

[l.cutler]

It is definitely a toy gun, great find nonetheless.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Found it.... It's a Dent "Terror" cap gun and would date to the 1920's roughly. Pretty cool find! On this site, down close to the bottom : http://www.nicholscapguns.com/pinon/page10.htm

 

[hunter2665]

Hey thanks NOLA_Ken I do believe you hit it right on.

 

[Swaveab]

I only mentioned the police as they could've identified it as real or not and if real what it was.

 

[hunter2665]

Swaveab I was laughing when I replied to you. If you knew the neighborhood I found it in you would of laughed to. Good idea if I ever find another one though.

 

[WildWildBill]

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.

One of this big things is put the positive on the metal object and the negative on the item to clean. I got them backwards before. Silly me.