Help with identifying an old Revolver

[FrankieFrankie]

Hi all,

This is my first post on this forum, hope you will find it interesting!

I came across this revolver a couple of years ago, its in terrible condition and some parts are missing and some parts seems not to be quite right.

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/61/dsc00109hc2.th.jpg (http://img357.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00109hc2.jpg)
http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/8868/dsc00111rz3.th.jpg (http://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00111rz3.jpg)
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/9954/dsc00113xm0.th.jpg (http://img392.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00113xm0.jpg)
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/7717/dsc00114ko1.th.jpg (http://img520.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00114ko1.jpg)
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/8691/dsc00116fb9.th.jpg (http://img520.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00116fb9.jpg)
http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/7251/dsc00117mm0.th.jpg (http://img387.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00117mm0.jpg)
http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/9836/dsc00118uv1.th.jpg (http://img352.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00118uv1.jpg)

Sorry about the poor image quality, I don't have access to a proper camera.

I really don't know anything about the gun other than it is .32 caliber and looks like an antique. I got it from a friend who saved it from some botcher who tried to "fix" it.

It would be great if someone could fill in the blanks, I'm more or less clueless about old handguns.

[CoorsLightGuy]

Welcome to the Gun Collectors Forum!

I'm not very good with pistols, but I'm sure that one of our resident "experts" will come along and be able to help identify this one.

[xpertgreg]

welcome to the GCF! any markings at all on the piece?

gw

[WmRoy]

welcome aboard!!

[FrankieFrankie]

Thanks all!

xpertgreg: Yes there are some markings, but not for instance the name of the maker or anything resembling a serial number. On two places, on the trigger mechanism and on the base pin "knob", there are markings reading "25" or maybe "35", it looks more like "25" to me.

As you can see there is a lot of pieces missing, for instance the hand that turns the cylinder, and almost all of the original skrews and pins are missing.

[xpertgreg]

I'm not having any luck. send a PM to H&RMagnum, bet he might have an idea.

gw

[xpertgreg]

sorry, his screen name is 32 Magnum.
gw

[Herr Mario]

.....almost sounds as if someone was scavanging it for pieces parts for another one...:dontknow:

[32 Magnum]

It certainly appears to be a class of small handguns made, predominantly, during the period 1880's up to around the early to mid 19 teens, now known as the "Velo Dog". These were small caliber (mostly .22 or .25 but some as large as .32) revolvers, some of which used "proprietary" cartridges, made mostly in Belgium, but some French, German and Austrian versions are known.
The "intended purpose" was to protect bicycle riders (velocipedes in Europe) from attack by dogs - hence the nickname - although they were probably used as coat and vest pocket self protection guns also. The lack of any manufacturers' markings most likely indicates Belgian manufacture. Many types of this category were made by a fairly large variety of makers, including small "houses" all over Belgium. This one has obviously been scavanged for parts, probably to put another, similar piece back in operation.
There are some, limited number of collectors and unusual pieces in excellent condition sometimes sell up to $400+.

[xpertgreg]

see, i told ya'!

gw