Any Idea What This Might Be?

brown10 · #1 02-07-2012, 09:13 AM

A good friend has acquired this recently. It is in a wood/glass presentation case. If anybody would know it would be someone here. Here are the details.

“W.B.S. 35” on left side of frame handle, “21” on the right side of the frame handle, “21” on the right side of the trigger, “W.B.S.” on the right side of the hammer and “2” on the left, “1” on the muzzle side of the swing up lever that covers the cartridge, “B” on the hammer side of the same piece, “W.B.S. 35” on the inside of ejector plate and “21” on the ejector thumb piece, “6m/m”, crown over “B” next to a crown over “G” and a crown over a “U” on the right side of the barrel about half an inch from the chamber. All three of the crowns look a little different. The barrel is smooth and it shoots 6mm cartridges. The grips are checkered with double diamonds and the forearm is partially checkered and the remaining wood toward the muzzle is smooth. Total length of the barrel from muzzle to chamber is 10 ¼”. The first 3 ½” from the chamber toward the muzzle is hexagonal, then the remaining portion is round. The bluing is in very good shape, close to 90% and there are some handling marks. Overall, it is in very good condition and shoots fine.

Any info would be appreciated. - jerry

rimfired · #2 02-07-2012, 09:43 AM

Proofmarks would be Belgian I think. Probably a "parlor pistol".

glowe · #3 02-07-2012, 10:00 AM

I assume it shoots .22 rimfire? The US gun market usually calls these Parlor Pistols or Continental Pistols. Most come from Belgium and were popular for indoor shooting in the Old Country. Pubs and bars had competitions in the late 1800s, where the least intoxicated probably won most of the contests.

Lots of these were brought back after WWI and WWII, but seldom sell for much. I had a .32 rimfire years ago and it was fun to shoot, but not much collector demand.

Walker181 · #4 02-07-2012, 10:29 AM

it was made by Anton Ferdinand Korinski of Bavaria. He made his guns mostly in Germany during the first world war. He's best know for his shotguns. The pistols usually aren't worth much but they're neat to have.

2152hq · #5 02-07-2012, 06:20 PM

Pivot breech 'Flobert' pistol.
Proofs are German
The 6mm rf Shot cartridge was one of the standard chambering in alot of these pistols.
Could also fire the 6mm rf ball ammo.
Rifled barrels were provided for those chambered in that shorter cartridge normally.

The sporting goods import catalogs from the late 1800's & early 1900's usually show several different makes and styles.
Makers aren't always listed, instead a catchy catalog name plus a number was assigned.

Perhaps a makers mark is visable under the wood, but beyond that I don't know who mfg'rd it.
Is it marked Korinski/Erlangen anywhere?