Pistol help needed

[Acagedrebel]

I found this Pistol a lil while back when I was metal detecting near the River it’s 6 1/2” inches long and has the number 418 on the grip can anyone maybe tell me anything about it or where I may can find some info on it.

 

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[ANTIQUARIAN]

I'm no expert when it comes to guns, but I'm guessing that it's a kid's toy cap-gun.
If it were my find, I would get someone to do some electrolysis to it.

That's a great find Kenny,
Dave

 

[creskol]

Which one of these matches it? brass frame spur trigger pistol

 

[Tony in SC]

I was thinking Iver Jonhson but the rust behind the cylinder on the left side makes me think Whitney?

 

[Acagedrebel]

It matches the Whitney no.1 pocket revolver .22 cal except the hole below the cylinder doesn’t match any of there’s. Also mine has the serial number on the side of the grip not on the very bottom..

 

[pistol-pete]

There must have been at least 20 different brands of these cheap hideout revolvers. Don't know if you will ever be able to pinpoint it exactly without comparing them in person

 

[civil_war22]

Think I found a close match to your old school side hammer revolver. possibly a Whitneyville Armoury in .32 cal.

 

[Acagedrebel]

It’s close but on mine there’s a screw hole about a qtr of the way under the cylinder and on the one in your pic it’s halfway.
It’s actually a 7 shot I do believe also

 

[civil_war22]

Like pistol Pete said, there’s about 20 varieties of that model gun, a lot of them trying to mimic the S&W model 1. So many folks did it that it’s hard to tell. Get yours in some decent electrolysis and get that barrel clean and maybe it’ll help

 

[NOLA_Ken]

There have been a few of these posted here in this condition that we've been able to ID based on the shape of the frame and the left side plate. But as a general rule, they are pretty much impossible to get a 100% ID on. There were hundreds of different pistols like it made by dozens of companies big and small. If it had a name on it, it was likely on the barrel, and in that condition there's no bringing it back. Best I can tell you is it's most likely a .22 short, and probably 1870's or 80's.

I would not recommend electrolysis on it, that barrel looks like it would just crumble away. I think I would pick the loose rust off with a toothpick and soak it in cider vinegar for a while, and keep picking with the toothpick until it's reached a point you're happy with. Then wash it clean with alcohol or acetone, dry it in the oven for a while to get any residual water out of the metal and seal it by coating it with a thick layer of wax (I use toilet wax rings for this) and bake it again for a while to let the wax penetrate.

 

[Acagedrebel]

Thank you all for your help y’all are to kind ..

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I think you're right on with it being a Whitneyville #1 revolver, it matches up pretty well. That would date it between 1871-79. I'd love to find one of these old brass .22's but I want to restore it if I do, with all new steel parts

 

[Acagedrebel]

Thank y’all for your insight most helpful