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Another in my occasional series about some of the more interesting Firearms I have sold.

(Since selling, I found out this revolver was attributed to William Tranter.)

This is a very rare and historically interesting, seven shot English Gun Trade, Birmingham proofed, single action Revolver, chambered in .32 rim-fire.

The design is closely based on the .22 S&W Model 1 (Second issue) Revolver, but also borrows heavily from the Model 2 (Old Model)... Clearly Industrial espionage is nothing new!

Dating from circa 1860-75 it bares no Manufacturer or retailer information, but its very high quality engraving and beautifully detailed grip escutcheon and screw, identify this Pistol as a mid 19th Century English firearm.

It has a number of unusual design features, its seven shot capacity and the colour case hardened swept back hammer, plus elevated "chamber indexer" with integral V notch rear sight, could possibly indicate a private purchase piece by a British Army officer, these features would certainly allow the revolver to be very rapidly brought to bare on an assailant.


The revolver displays a natural metal finish (as quite a few British revolvers did of this period), with a very nice age related patina.

The Walnut grips are finely checkered with some damage and the octagonal barrel is fitted with a German silver front sight blade.

It functions very well, with very slight wear to the pivot joint and has a excellent bore with no pitting or frosting present.

More to come...if you want me to guys, John.

Beautiful!

Always a 'go to' post so yes please; keep them coming

Cheers, will do....how about a 1883 Reich's Revolver from Rudolf Hess's old unit for next weeks show and tell guys?


Cheers, John.

*drools*

Yes please.

Would it be possible for you to give guide prices for such pieces as well?

very nice, I am always interested in historic pieces

How was the revolver attributed to Tranter? Seems unlikely. As does .32 rimfire cal being prvately purchased for military duty.

Sim G wrote:How was the revolver attributed to Tranter? Seems unlikely. As does .32 rimfire cal being prvately purchased for military duty.

Good questions, When I bought this revolver I had my nose buried in my reference books and on-line trying to identify a Maker...came up with nothing except I was happy to say English gun trade because or the general fit and finish and certain "Key" English features.

The collector who purchased it, took it to a specialist dealer who was happy to attribute it to William Tranter.

If I had known that I could have got more for it... hay ho, thats the way it goes sometimes!

With regard to the British Military connection (or possibly Colonial Police other agency use) I came to that conclusion, because .32 rf revolvers were popular private purchase "boot pistols" of the day in the US.

This revolver is British, it's very unusual 7 shot capacity (unique in a 32 rf "tip Up" I believe) that, coupled with the swept back hammer and raised chamber indexer/deep V rear sight make this revolver highly suitable for this role.

I did try drawing it from trouser and jacket pockets, and it never caught once!

The barrel length would give it reasonably good (man sized) accuracy out to say 25yds.... a key requirement if a vicious native is attacking you with a particularly sharp piece of fruit!

Also, it's too long for a gamblers or Lady's hand bag gun.

I have found that when I handle and carefully examine pieces such as this, I start to form the most plausible theories for design features and possible past use ... I might be completely wrong of cause, but thats what I think!

Cheers, John.