Mini Revolver..maybe? Civil War Looking type Gun

[Mangogirl205]

Hi everyone,

I am new here so I'll thank everyone ahead of time for welcoming me :-)

Yesterday I was digging in my yard to do my vegetable garden for the summer as I always do.I dug deeper then usual because I was also removing some weeds and what not and my shovel hit into something. I dug it up and it looks to be a mini gun of some sort. I don't know If it is a TOY gun or a REAL gun so I will be descriptive as Posibble so you all can help me figure out what it is.

(How can I remove all the rust??)

My location:Maryland,AnneArundel County,House is about 100 years old,Before house was built it was farm land.

The gun is heavy about 1lb,Severely carroded with rust and dirt that is hard to remove,it is 5 1/2" long total length,the barrel is 2"long,from the bottom of the handle to the top it is 3" total length.

Hopefully we can figure out more about this little guy.

Thanks alot,
Christina

 

[mick56]

A sandblaster will quickly remove the rust. Many auto body shops will have one.

 

[Mangogirl205]

A sandblaster will quickly remove the rust. Many auto body shops will have one.

Would that ruin the texture? And can I even walk into an auto shop carrying that..lol,sorry to ask.
But to you,does it look real or like a toy?

 

[traderoftreasures]

ya you can take it anywhere a good cleaning would help with the id and welcome to this world that is all consuming

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

A sandblaster will quickly remove the rust. Many auto body shops will have one.

As well as nicer examples!

 

[oldfireguy]

I refinish firearms as a hobby and I don't recommend a sandblaster. They will remove metal. I always use a bead blaster and they will not remove the metal. Just my .02 cents worth.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

The proper way to clean iron artifacts is with electrolysis. I never heard of cleaning relics with a sand blaster, but I dont know. If you dont want to set up an electrolysis tank and are considering sand blasting, then I guess a wire brush is not out of the question.

Test with a magnet. If its a toy, it will most likely be non magnetic pot metal. If its iron, it could be real. It may also be loaded.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

From the way you describe it, I think its real. It looks in very bad condition. You maybe could start by soaking in water and using a toothbrush to start cleaning it up. The water will also make sure the gunpowder is harmless if its a cap and ball. When you get the dirt removed, electrolysis would be the next step.

Welcome to TN and I cant wait to see how it comes out.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Welcome! Very nice find! Keep digging.

 

[One mans trash...]

As you heard already, more will be revealed when it's cleaned. IF it happens to be an actual firearm, I suspect it will be something like a .32 or .22 H&R breakover revolver. And cleaned up, the barrel may be more like 2-1/2 inches. I doubt Civil War. "Pocket pistol" meant something larger at that time when the first revolvers were from large to massive. Within 20 years, small pocket revolvers were out in sizes consistent with yours. I'll bet there's an actual gun under all that. There would seem to be a good mass of steel to grow all that rust. Check around the site for cleaning tips. Like so many dug things like this, no value, but always a neat puzzle to solve.

 

[Mangogirl205]

As you heard already, more will be revealed when it's cleaned. IF it happens to be an actual firearm, I suspect it will be something like a .32 or .22 H&R breakover revolver. And cleaned up, the barrel may be more like 2-1/2 inches. I doubt Civil War. "Pocket pistol" meant something larger at that time when the first revolvers were from large to massive. Within 20 years, small pocket revolvers were out in sizes consistent with yours. I'll bet there's an actual gun under all that. There would seem to be a good mass of steel to grow all that rust. Check around the site for cleaning tips. Like so many dug things like this, no value, but always a neat puzzle to solve.

Well this all sounds good,right now I have it soaking in water like someone suggested. Alot of dirt has already came off and It looks to be genuine.
2morrow I will start picking somemore dirt off. I would like to know If I can soak it in CLR? It is suppose to remove rust deposit.

I will keep you guys updated!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Well this all sounds good,right now I have it soaking in water like someone suggested. Alot of dirt has already came off and It looks to be genuine.
2morrow I will start picking somemore dirt off. I would like to know If I can soak it in CLR? It is suppose to remove rust deposit.

I will keep you guys updated!

Electrolysis works GREAT on ferrous metals. It is really the best way to go and the most professional. It also helps preserve what steel is left. Not hard to make either you just need a bucket, battery charger or old cell phone charger and some clips. You can research it here or maybe choose another method. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/board,70.0.html

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I didnt read them all but this thread caught my eye. It shows how good old rusted iron can look after electyrolysis. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,223508.0.html

he also recommends taking the heavy stuff off with wire brushes.

 

[traderoftreasures]

interesting info on the electyrolysis thanks bch

 

[Monty]

I have a small collection of handguns and this one looks a lot like the general outline of one of my 7.62 Nagants. They were one of the Russian Army's sidearmsDuring WWI and up until and during part of WWII. Mine was made in 1931. It is a unique revolver in that when the cylinder goes into battery the bullet and the tip of the cartridge goes into the forcing cone. It is actually a .32 caliber and .32 colt (short) can be fired in it as well as .32 H&R Magnum, although a little hot. Compare the outline of the two guns. Monty

 

[AKiwi]

Interesting Monty....... But what did you say?

 

[creskol]

It's overall style reminds me of a an old Stevens CAL cast iron cap gun.
Real or toy .. It is a neat find!

 

[Monty]

Don't know how I could make it any plainer? M nty

 

[Mangogirl205]

I have a small collection of handguns and this one looks a lot like the general outline of one of my 7.62 Nagants. They were one of the Russian Army's sidearmsDuring WWI and up until and during part of WWII. Mine was made in 1931. It is a unique revolver in that when the cylinder goes into battery the bullet and the tip of the cartridge goes into the forcing cone. It is actually a .32 caliber and .32 colt (short) can be fired in it as well as .32 H&R Magnum, although a little hot. Compare the outline of the two guns. Monty

Wow,this is all intresting. I can't wait to see what it is :-D Thanks to everyone with all their help and insight.

 

[Joe(TX)]

It's overall style reminds me of a an old Stevens CAL cast iron cap gun.
Real or toy .. It is a neat find!

.............I agree with Creskol on this one!!...Looks more like an old Cast Iron Cap Gun to me!!