Picked up a "Unique" 22 pistol.

[CajunBass]

Not that the gun is "unique", that's the name stampled on the slide. "Unique Model 52", 22 Long Rifle.

Made in France, apparently in the 50's, and imported by/for Sears from what little I've been find on the internet, it seems to be a well made little gun. It has that funny, very "European" look that their guns tend to have, and the safety and magazine release are in the usual awkward positions. The hammer is semi-concealed but easy to manipulate. It was probably intended to be a self-defense/carry gun, and should draw cleanly from a coat pocket, or purse.

I got it cheap, so I'm not worried about it, but it seems to be a decent little gun (the barrel is about 3" for reference). It will most likely be retired to a life as a can blaster and/or used as trade bait.

 

[walnutred]

I owned one of those for a few years and felt it was very well made. The manufacturer was known for their Olympic class target pistols among other things. These 22’s were an attempt to tap into the US market after WW2 utilizing the machinery for manufacturing their 32 and 380 caliber M&P handguns. Which explains why the magazine seems unusually thick for a 22.

 

[andrewb70]

Looks like a mini Dan Wesson bobtail. Too bad it isn't a 380. That would make neat carry gun.

Andrew

 

[Cyrano]

I have one; great little plinker. Watch out for those plastic grips: they're brittle and they shrink.

 

[Tony M.]

I've had one of those in the past, and currently own one of their olympic CF target pistols. They made some nice stuff, and the low prices you can usually find them for are hard to argue with.

 

[H Richard]

The company makes outstanding Olympic caliber target pistols. I would think the pocket guns would be of the same or similar quality.

 

[Cyrano]

They're no longer in business. France closed down all the commercial firearms makers except for Chapuis and a very few other small operations. I think even Manurhin is gone. They also have no ammunition manufacturing capability, either commercial or military.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I remember these advertised in the Shot Gun News in the '50's. Think they were $29.95 then. Can't remember exactly.