Pistol ID help

[MosbyRanger]

I found this "half" of a pistol in a trench in N. Va. There are no markings on it what-so-ever. It is all brass, accept for the rusted iron at the trigger and inside hammer. resembles a single shot, percussion, perhaps .31 cal as seen in Crouch's book on page 96. Any ideas would be helpful!!!!!!!

 

[tomh]

Pistol ID

MosbyRanger,

Tough call there!

Several companies (including Colt, Allen, Moore, S&W, etc.) produced small caliber single shot pistols and rimfire revolvers with the "Bird's head" style butt and a shrouded hammer and trigger. From the flange at the front of the piece that you have I would lean toward the rimfire revolver but the manufacturer is up for grabs.

Just a humble opinion,
TomH

 

[MosbyRanger]

Thanks TomH. I knew that there were many types of these single shot pistols produced but was disappointed to not find some marking on mine. Oh well! i like the find though. From what i understand the "trench" it was found in was dug by Union cavalry at a winter camp around an old house. this spot yielded some decent finds but the slave hut sites at the back of the property was better digging. Lots of flat buttons and coins.

 

[Dug_Colt_57]

This Looks a lot like one of my dug post war pistols, but I cant say for certain. I have a 2 1/2 inch single shot pistol that resembles this one..an Allen Vest Pocket Derringer circa 1866. Do you want to sell it?
John

 

[MosbyRanger]

As far as selling it I have to say no. I don't often sell the relics I have dug. But thanks for the offer. This pistol butt was found at an old house that served as a winter camp for Union Cavalry in 1864. There have been a few CS items dug there but the majority of the items were Union. I don't believe this pistol was single shot though. It appears that it had a cylinder. It has been hard to find an exact match with most of the pieces missing. Thanks for the input though!

 

[Selma Hunter]

Not SS Pistol

Dug_Colt_57 -

The pistol frame Moseby posted is definitely a revolver, and was probably made in .22 RF. It is a brass frame and was fractured near the top about where the firing pin aperture is located. Unfortunately there are no remaining identifying marks and there were so many of these small revolvers made ID'ing the thing from photos in books is nearly impossible.

I am convinced that this is most likely a bona fide CW artifact given the recovery location and other relics recovered in the same area.

A fine item to have recovered. Now, Moseby, go find the rest of the darn thing.