r/AntiqueGuns

Found this one and really caught my eye. It's a Belgian made military trials gun, dated about 1870. It works by pulling the handle/lever upwards which is connected to a stud on the bolt, which is guided through the moonshaped rail thing on the right side. This movement also unlocks a long rod to the back, which pushes against the hammer and sets in cock. Now the action is ready to insert a cartridge. Pushing the lever to the front moves the breechblock to the front to chamber the cartridge. In the breechblock is housed a bolt with a hole for the firing pin/needle. The hammer striking the long rod pushes the firing pin forward for your ignition. You can see on the pictures that the breechblock has a recessed centre that fits tightly over a ring at the back of the barrel, similar to the Dreyse needle gun.

I’ve made about 25 of these so far… comparing my latest to the schematic found in the 1895 Lee Navy manual, I reckon I’m getting pretty okay at making these by now.

These aren’t moving as fast as my US Army Mosin sling pattern replicas but I like to build the Winchester pattern slings a little bit more than I do the Mosin ones.

Crazy it’s still on the original wrapping.

Hi! I’ve inherited this really ornate pistol among a few others. I have no provenance on it whatsoever besides it might have belonged to some noble italian.

I assume it’s 18th century (correct me if I’m wrong?). However, I haven’t found much on the maker

Mark reads : Pietro Paolo Sefevi

Since it’s 200yo italian alphabet I guess some letters might be off?

Anyway, please tell me more about if you can!

Grandpa’s Guns
Hi everyone – I’m hoping to leverage the group knowledge here.
I recently inherited two older rifles from my grandfather’s estate and am trying to learn more about what I have, where they came from, and what the next steps might be for further research.
Background:
My grandfather was a very well-connected man in terms of his work and personal life, and these rifles were preserved but not documented. I am trying to approach this with some care and ensure that the history is preserved accurately rather than speculating.

Rifle #1 – Stevens
• Obviously a Stevens
• Barrel is marked “Patented August 12, 1913”
• Appears to be a single-shot sporting rifle
• Has a factory-made buttplate with a decorative scroll/wave design
• There is a bright green paint patch on the stock that appears to be an old inventory/rack/institutional marking (not factory)
My primary questions about this one:
• Model identification?
• Intended use market (sporting, training, youth, club, etc.)?
• Any information about the paint marking and its possible meaning?

Rifle #2 – Older / Unmarked (Possibly German)
This is more of a mystery and probably older.
The markings I’ve discovered so far are:
• “SUHL S & C”
• An eagle/bird emblem
• A small anchor mark, found on the metal parts and also stamped into the wood
• A faint German inscription that reads “Gewehrlauf Stahl” (steel rifle barrel)
As far as I can determine, this suggests a late 19th-century sporting rifle from the Suhl region of Germany, perhaps produced under the guild system, but I’d be delighted to hear any further information or corrections from those who know more about these rifles.
Questions about this rifle:
• Does the anchor mark appear to be a workshop or inspector’s mark?
• Is there any further information that might help to narrow down the date range?
• Is there a preferred forum, archive, or expert who focuses on Suhl trade guns?

I have included close-up photos of the markings, stocks, and actions.
I am not looking to sell – my aim is identification, historical information, and preservation. Any information on where I might proceed (forums, books, museums, collectors) would be a huge help.
Thanks in advance – really grateful for any information.

I have this derringer type pistol I got from a collector, I have yet to find any with the etching design on it, is this an original or an older repro and what do you think I can get for it?

Can anyone identify this old rifle my parents found in a house they bought? Only markings look to be the number on the side and the flower (chrysanthemum?) on the top.

This revolver was passed down to me by my grandfather who had it passed down to him by his stepfather. It is in outstanding condition considering its age. Unfortunately I don't shoot it anymore because on average the rounds are about $130 for 50. But it is a nice little piece of History. I have many other firearms that are very close to or over a hundred years old . Hope you enjoy

From a pawn shop in Kabul. Just wondering the interest and possibly worthy?

Hello, I’m hoping the collectors and military-history experts here can help my family learn more about these three items.

The rifle, bayonet, and knife were handed down from my wife’s great-grandfather. According to the family history, he brought them home with him after serving in World War I. His name is included in the roster of History of the 324th Field Artillery, United States Army by Thomas Q. Ashburn. I have included a photo of the book along with photos of the rifle and edged weapons.

The markings I can make out are:
The rifle is stamped “U.S.,” “1894,” and “Springfield Armory,” with a serial number that appears to be 20255.
The U.S. bayonet is marked “1903” on one side and “U.S.” on the other.
The other knife, which may actually be a second bayonet, has a crown over the word “ERFURT.” Its scabbard also appears to have military or unit markings that may read something like “14.A.F.81,” although I am not certain of the exact characters.

I would greatly appreciate any information about the exact models, manufacturers, dates of production, meanings of the markings, whether the bayonets and scabbards are correctly matched, and what military units or countries may have used them. I would also be interested in any historical context that might explain how these particular items could have come into the possession of a soldier associated with the 324th Field Artillery.

I understand that it may not be possible to connect a particular weapon directly to one soldier without additional documentation, but even general information about their production and service history would be valuable. This is not a sales or valuation post—the main goal is to preserve and better understand the family history.

Any possible additional information about this specific rifle, bayonet, knife/possible second bayonet, and their history would be very important to my father-in-law. I’m happy to provide additional photographs, measurements, or close-ups of any markings that might help.

Thank you very much for taking a look.

This was my Grandmother’s gun that she claims is an 1890’s original Colt (Lightning?) which I’ve read was one of the first Colt double action revolvers. I’ve long been out of the phase learning all the nerdy details about firearms and don’t remember as much as I used to. Can anyone identify this? How much is it worth? It doesn’t appear to be functioning currently (the cylinder spins freely, hammer doesn’t lock back) is it worth restoring and how much would restoring it cost? Thank you.

I had someone send me this Pic and tell me its an antique. I am curious about what make and model it is, what year it would have been made.

A Pieper Arms modified Diana, 30" barrels, 12ga 2-1/2" chambers, walnut furniture, Damascus barrels mono bloc chambers, and beautiful engraving/stamping.

This is the double I reach for to hunt, shoot clays, or just go shoot something.

Recently bought this pinfire revolver for around 800 pounds if the extortionate shipping is included... Believe it is a Lefaucheux manufactured from 1866 to 1873 (third image has el with crown over it, indicative of a factory that ran these years).

Took some work, but got this mechanically ready. It had been leaning against some fireplace in my family for at least a century and nobody knew anything about it or where it came from. I still have the original hammer, but got a reproduction along with top jaw and screw from Pedersoli - not going to try and thread the new screw into a 200+ year old hammer. Repro rod too, but it will not fit in the musket. If anybody know of a stash of original parts, hollar at me... would at least like a rod and bayonet that are period...and anything else that I am missing.

Had to put the file to the seer a bit on a tip from a local gunsmith - now will hold in both positions. I guess that this was common as they wore? Got a replacement from Pedersoli, but it is not even close to the right size, so not usable for me.

Time for some a flint and some powder for a few blank fires. Need a cleaning rod and kit too if anybody has any recommendations. Probably never put a projectile in it, but I do want it to at least fire some powder out of it once or twice since it is important to me that it can work, if possible. Had the barrel cleared by a gunsmith and it was full of rags, linen about two inches deep.

If anybody knows what the P1 means on the rear of the lock, then let me know. Somebody told me 1st Pennsylvania, but seemed only about 50/50 on it. Also, if there are any resources for dates with the codes on the lock, then I would also like to read or study them.

This has been a fun project... and it takes a while to get parts from Italy like they sailed them over here on a ship with actual cloth sails. Thanks to anybody who has helped me with past posts.

anyone familiar with this gun?

A neat .32 cartridge revolver from the Civil War. Smith & Wesson No. 2 Army. Just picked up today at a Civil War show in Atlanta.

Happy collecting!