My Dad has given me an old vest pocket pistol...I know nothing about it...I am looking for someone to tell me the year & worth of this gun...It is not for sell...I am just interested in how old it is..It has some writing on the top of the barrel but is wore down..all i can make from it is Smith & Wesson...& made in the USA...Here are a few pic's of it....If anyone can help me, i would appreciate it.

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we think the pistol is post WWII or could be just before...we are not sure...so that is why i ask under antiques....any info..would help.

That particular model of revolver is called a baby hammerless, but it was never made by Smith & Wesson. Most, I believe, were made by a German company named Kolb before WWI. There is a type marketed under the name Sedgeley, and these have a big "S" in a circle at the top of the diminutive grips. Perhaps that is the source of the belief that they were made by Smith & Wesson.

These guns chamber .22 short only. They are too small to be a reliable defensive weapon, but they have some interest as a collectible. Price is next to nothing if the gun doesn't work, perhaps $100-200 if in shootable to very good condition. I suppose one that is new in the box might go for $300, but I'm kind of just pulling that number out of the air.

Hope this helps.

If you Google for ".22 baby hammerless" you will find lots of links that direct you to different places where these tiny revolvers are discussed.

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David Wilson

It doesn't look like any S&W I've ever seen before. It looks like a Velodog to me.

edit: I suspect the S&W refrence is to the cartridge (.32 S&W, .38 S&W), so it's not actually a Velodog.

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"I also cook."

Thanks so much....now i at least know where to search on the net....i was totally lost...the gun is very small & is in very good shape..it still works perfect...just looks like it road around in someone's pocket a whole lot...but in great shape...thanks for the info

Didn't R.F. Sedgley (sp.) make pieces like this?
Of course, I know the Belgians, Germans and others did also...

It likely must be one of those makes. Could be a Velodog, but I don't think so- those have more of a "Nagant style" or European styled cylinder.

I'd be willing to say it's an American maker like Forehand and Wadsworth, but without clearer pictures, it's hard to tell.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

Lisa,
I'll combine your two threads, and let it run in The Lounge.
It is genrally not a good idea to run identical threads in two categories since it leads to clutter and confusion.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

To me the cylinder is a little short for a Velodog; probably some other cartridge. Is it center fire, or rim fire (where does the firing pin hit?)

Kolb Baby

Kolb Baby Hammerless

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SOS USA