Liberty .22 Single Action pocket revolver

[DDGator]

I know we have some knowledgeable people here so I will take a shot... (pardon the pun).

I recently came into possession of a very old pocket gun.  This is a single action.22 LR pocket revolver -- very similar to an NNA mini, but a little larger than a Black Widow even.  There are black grips with a little logo that looks like a bust of George Washington.

One distinctive feature of this gun is that it loads through a "loading gate" looking opening (like on the modern single action guns), but there is no gate.  When the gun is carried, one round could conceivably fall out of the cylinder...

A few casual opinions at the gun show today estiamted it to be made in the late 1800s...

I will try and post some pics later.  Does any of this ring a bell for anyone?

Trying to figure out a bit of the history of this gun, how old it might be, and what it might be worth.  The condition is reasonable -- there is some surface rust that I am going to try and clean up.

[Richard S]

Duane:

Is this your revolver>

http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=1460zSMALL%20FRAME

[DDGator]

No.  That looks like a Ruger Single Six size gun.  I am talking about very slightly larger than an NAA mini-revolver.  No trigger guard.  Nubby little trigger.   A real vest pocket gun.

It has a seven shot cylinder.  Actually, the caliber is not marked.  I may be assuming it is a .22 LR.  Could it be .22 short?  If it is, will a .22 LR not fit/stick out the front of the cylinder?

[Richard S]

Does it have "LIBERTY ARMS CORP MONTROSE CAL" stamped on the right side of the frame above the trigger and "ROHM GMBH SONTHEIM/BRZ" stamped on the left side of the barrel?

[DDGator]

No...  The only visible markings are LIBERTY in block print on the top of the barrel, and two symbols on the grips -- a small round circle with what appears to be George Washington's head (or similar patriot of the times) and a small shield with a star in the top and stripes on the bottom.

[FireBreather01]

That sounds like an interesting find, Duane. I would call the NRA's HQ and ask for the museum - they should be able to help.

[Richard S]

Duane:

The "LIBERTY" trade name was used by the Norwich Falls Pistol Company (O.A. Smith)  as well as by the Hood Firearms Company of Norwich on small-caliber (including .22) pocket revolvers manufactured in the latter part of the 19th Century.  They are sometimes included in the category of "Suicide Specials" -- unsafe to use with today's ammunition. In addition to the NRA Museum, you might be able to obtain more information through the Gun-Data web site:

http://www.gun-data.com/index.htm

Good luck!

[DDGator]

Here are the photos, finally...

[Tierhaus]

Hello Duane,

Your last post on this topic (that I could see) was back in Aug of 2006.  Did you find any more info on this pistol?  I have one identical to this and am curious about it’s origins also.

Thanks.

[DDGator]

Not really no, but I sold it to someone who had more interest in it than I did.  $75 if I recall correctly.

[cmshawk]

a place told me that they were 40 to 50 $