Can anyone identify this handgun?

[dwarven1]

Can anyone identify this handgun?

A friend of a friend inherited his uncle's collection, and this was part of it. It appears to be around .38 caliber or so, and has a really unique ejector - spring-loaded and the holes that line up with each chamber is a full circle - it's not a star pattern like many American revolvers.

Anyway, we're curious as to what this might be.

 

[atilla]

looks a lot like a webley but... different...

 

[bfm]

looks a lot like a webley but... different...

Agree. The Brits did use .38-200

 

[FrugalFannie]

Size?

 

[bfm]

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/05/13/can-you-identify-this-revolver-2/

 

[FrugalFannie]

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/05/13/can-you-identify-this-revolver-2/

Not quite but there are similarities. notice the "release" on the left side of the gun and the spur above the hammer.These things make it unique from everything I have seen. not a lot of markings but the crown would suggest being made by a company based in a country with a monarchy (England) or a subject/colony of monarchy (think British territories like Canada, South Africa). Though the crown is not what would likely be stamped if it was origianlly made for service by the "royal military" as those crowns tend to be a little more fanciful. Though it could have been for military service during war when quantity was important. It is similar to a Webley and has similarities to the Enfield Albion (squared front sight).

 

[dwarven1]

Also, notice the safety on the right side of the gun! That's what that lever seems to be.

It is close, though. I believe my buddy found that the proof mark was Belgian - not sure how he found that out; I'd guess by some website or another.

 

[seanc]

The crown and how just completely bizarre it is makes me think Scandinavian.. Swede, Norse, Finn..
It looks like they took, webley/ enfield, nagant and some colt/S&W influences and mashed them all together.

Is it cold in here?? What is UP with that front sight??

 

[Keystone]

http://www.littlegun.be/ma_collection/belgique/be klmno/a be mercenier g gb.htm
http://www.littlegun.be/ma_collection/belgique/be klmno/a be levaux guillaume gb.htm

one of these looks close, but it's still not quite right

 

[Keystone]

Found it:
http://www.oldammo.com/june04.htm (at the bottom)

Danish Model 1891

edit:

more info here http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,26887.msg353726.html#msg353726

 

[JuergenG]

Good find!
I expected the gun to be developed after 1879, as it has some similarities to the German M/79 and M/83 Reichsrevolver. However, the safety lever of the German ones is on the l/h side.

 

[FrugalFannie]

nice find keystone!

 

[Gonzo]

Cool looking pistol.

 

[Finalygotabeltfed]

Nice looking piece, can you still get ammo for it? Would .38 S&W fire in it?

 

[dwarven1]

I told him that NES would be able to figure it out.

Thanks to all who played! You guys ROCK.

 

[Keystone]

Good find!
I expected the gun to be developed after 1879, as it has some similarities to the German
M/79 and M/83 Reichsrevolver. However, the safety lever of the German ones is on the
l/h side.

I'm actually questioning my find, now, as they are described as 5 shot, when this one is clearly 6. I can't find anything about a 6 shot, though, and it seems there were only a fairly small number of the 5 shots made...

 

[dwarven1]

There's an entry on gunsamerica.com for an Model 1891 Danish NAVY revolver - one of 600 made by JB Ronge & Sons in Belgium under contract to the Danish Navy. Marked with a crown and SA for Sea Artillery. And it is described as a six shot.

I think we have a winner...

 

[45collector]

Looks to be in pretty good shape for it's age.

 

[Keystone]

There's an entry on gunsamerica.com for an Model 1891 Danish NAVY revolver - one of 600 made by JB Ronge & Sons in Belgium under contract to the Danish Navy. Marked with a crown and SA for Sea Artillery. And it is described as a six shot.

I think we have a winner...

Sweet deal. Pretty neat gun, if kinda ugly. I wonder how the fully enclosed ejector works, it seems like that would be less-than-efficient at easily removing the cartridges

 

[dwarven1]

Looks to be in pretty good shape for it's age.

Heh. that's not the only one. Guy's got a pristine Colt M1905 - I'd have to give it like a 98%. The bluing is gorgeous...

 

[seanc]

Sea Artillery?

Well, I guess that explains that front site.. It's an indirect fire weapon for use against ships..

 

[Keystone]

Sea Artillery?

Well, I guess that explains that front site.. It's an indirect fire weapon for use against ships..

SA is See Artillerie, what the Danish referred to their Navy as. But, yeah...that sight is pretty ridiculous.

 

[ARV]

Sweet deal. Pretty neat gun, if kinda ugly. I wonder how the fully enclosed ejector works, it seems like that would be less-than-efficient at easily removing the cartridges

Seems like a fully enclosed ejector would be more apt to keep unfired rounds in the gun because the bullet would extend down into the chamber, where as the empties would fall out when the ejector snapped back down. Interesting gun, and one of only 600 made so rare at that. nice find.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Nice looking piece, can you still get ammo for it? Would .38 S&W fire in it?

I bet it would if you sized a .38 S&W case with a 9mm die and used .355" bullets.

 

[dwarven1]

Well, it's not mine, and not even my buddy's but HIS friend's... But we do appreciate the responders who figured out what this thing is!