Found buried in the collection (from where, I haven't a clue) was an early 1900's Vencedor plastic grip, nickel plated.25 ACP pistol. Looked like the guts had never been cleaned, barrel looked fuzzy and bad, slide was tight and the hammer seemed non-existent, no click. Took it to local gun shop for info and advice, apparently it was an FN 1905 knock-off, sort of a baby Browning pocket pistol. Fellow suggested fair market price in that condition of about $60...took it home, removed the grips, applied a considerable amount of Break-Free, and with Hoppes #9 scrubbed the barrel with wire brush followed by two or three clean patches. Nothing green (copper fouling) came out, and the barrel was now shiny with decent rifling and no pitting. After working the slide action after cleaning a few times, was rewarded by a nice "click" when I pulled the trigger. Does anyone see an issue with giving this thing a live round trial at this point? If it does cycle and fire, would it be worth to keep?

I collect military guns and have experienced the same when the guns are gummed up with old congealed oil.
I have heard of cheaper ones having the slides crack and continue back wards injuring the shooter. So if you test fire it, wear eyes and ears and shoot from the hip rather than sighting down the slide.

I would not be afraid to shot it, the 25 is very anemic to start with, and now that it functions why not keep it for fun

The pictures of your gun aren't loading

Don't dry fire that gun too often. I have a "discrete" (no makers name, only a serial) Unique pattern pistol that didn't like being dry fired. Fortunately, a guy at work made me another firing pin.

__________________
Release the Kraken

The 'Vencedor' model name was used by Casimir Santos & Co of Eibar, Spain. One of the dozens of small makers at the time (pre=WW1) in that region.
Many of them supplied 1000's of what is known as 'Eibar type' 32cal semiautos to France during WW1. They are usually marked w/ a star, sometimes 2 stars along side the mag well on the bottom of the frame. The mfg denoted in a 1 or 2 letter code in an oval on the left side of the frame. I don't know if 25cal pistols were also purchased by the French nor if Cas. Santos was one of the makers of the 32's that France bought.

Generally well made though not anything special as far as design. Check it over well for defects and faults first or have someone/gunsmith do that.
They won't take much abuse like dry firing. The magazines are a common source of feeding problems. The firing pin is generally the ejector in the system also.
MAke sure the disconnector fuctions,,you have to release the trigger after firing to re-engage the striker for the next shot,,or you may have it double or worse on you. In a tiny 25acp,,that can be a real danger to anyone in any direction.

I'd say $60 was a very good price for the pistol in working condition.

2152hq: I'm pretty sure that Spain didn't turn out any 25s in WW I; their auto pistol manufacturing capability was overwhelmed in turning out 32s, often called 'Ruby Types' for France. They made over 900,000 of them; parts don't interchange and neither did magazines. Their revolver making capability was also taken up with a French order: they made copies of the Colt and S&W in 8mm Mle 92. The French call these 'Mle 92 espagnol'. However any 25s remaining in a market available to France were soon sold. primarily to officers who ha to supply their own weapons.

Thank you for that info Cyrano. I wasn't sure about the 25's,,