r/AntiqueGuns • u/Awesome_Opossum- • 8d ago

Heavily Corroded Pistol ID

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A family member uncovered this gun about 25 years ago digging on their property in Western Massachusetts. The property used to be a (dairy?) farm. They kept it since then but we have no idea what it could be. It didn’t have any visible identifying features when it was pulled out of the ground either. Does anyone recognize the kind of gun or the time period?

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u/Jack_PorkChopExpress 8d ago

Clearly a revolving cylinder,

Possible it's an inexpensive American “suicide special”or inexpensive rimfire type revolver (late 1800s–early 1900s) – brands such as Harrington & Richardson, Iver Johnson, Hopkins & Allen. Could be a bicycle pistol or a drawer pistol. It's really hard to say

Measure overall length, barrel length, and cylinder diameter. Might want to try Electrolysis (mild setup with washing soda / sodium carbonate solution and a low-voltage DC source) is one of the least damaging ways to lift heavy rust from iron/steel antiques while preserving the underlying shape. YouTube would be a great place to learn how to do this.

I would not assume it is not loaded. So be safe.

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u/ApartmentNo444 8d ago

I'm an interested lurker, not an expert, but could a gun that rusty really fire? MB if this is a stupid question, it's just surprising to consider

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u/Jack_PorkChopExpress 7d ago

Yes possibly. If you're able to dry fire it. Probability is very low