Boxed Set of Transitional Bar Hammer Revolvers

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  • EOD Guy

    Sharpshooter
    Mar 8, 2012
    553
    43
    Carroll County
    I have something I believe is very rare…a boxed set of transitional bar hammer revolvers. I’m not sure of the maker but the proofs look British to me…1830s-1840s…probably from Birmingham?? I’ve seen other “improved revolvers” but nothing as ornate nor have I seen a set like this. From poking around, I believe this is a gentleman’s traveling set as I’m not sure if dueling was a thing using revolvers. The only downside is the bar hammers have cracks where the two pieces are brazed together…probably from dry firing over the years. I wouldn’t dare try to fix them and there are no qualified gunsmiths near me to discuss doing so.

    As a note, these are not mine. I’ve been asked by a friend’s widowed Mom to sell these to help her with bills. If anyone could help me narrow down a maker or previous sales of a boxed set of pistols, I’d appreciate it. Thanks and enjoy the pictures.

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    Leadeye

    Grandmaster
    Jan 19, 2009
    36,696
    113
    .
    Look for some makers marks or a name, I guessing that it's probably Birmingham England from the proof marks. You probably see the crack on the hammer which could be repaired by a qualified smith. They are in good shape so dig hard for that name, it can mean everything value wise.
     

    BigRed

    Banned More Than You
    Site Supporter
    Dec 29, 2017
    18,925
    149
    1,000 yards out
    Look for some makers marks or a name, I guessing that it's probably Birmingham England from the proof marks. You probably see the crack on the hammer which could be repaired by a qualified smith. They are in good shape so dig hard for that name, it can mean everything value wise.

    Good advice.
     

    EOD Guy

    Sharpshooter
    Mar 8, 2012
    553
    43
    Carroll County
    I’ve scoured both pistols, only found proof marks. I don’t think there were multiple makers that marked the barrel “improved revolver” in this way…I just need to find another marked like this with solid proof on a name. The closest match I could find was this single pistol but there is no maker associates with it. It is very similar in construction and engraving but the cylinder is different, along with the caliber. I put my micrometer on the bore and it measures .44, not .41 like this example. The box doesn’t have a name either.

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    2in1evtime

    Master
    Site Supporter
    Oct 30, 2011
    3,444
    113
    retired-midwest
    I am only guessing but one hammer has a different design so i would imagine the original was cracked and replaced. And noticed too as mentioned above that the other hammer is cracked
     

    EOD Guy

    Sharpshooter
    Mar 8, 2012
    553
    43
    Carroll County
    Those may well be the coolest things I've seen on here IMO. Even the barrel end and cylinder ends are engraved. WOW!

    They are pretty cool and doubt I will ever see another set like this. Too bad I can’t afford to keep these, I’m just the only gun nut the owners knows and asked me to sell them.
     

    EOD Guy

    Sharpshooter
    Mar 8, 2012
    553
    43
    Carroll County

    This might help you.

    Thanks. I contacted these guys a while back and they were not able to provide any additional information. I had a local buyer but he recently backed out. I’ll probably put them up on Tuco’s trader on Gunboards along with the INGO classified section soon if another local guy isn’t interested. I’d rather stay away from Gunbroker if possible.
     
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