[erniep10]

My brother in law passed recently and am going through his gun collection. The revolver doesnt have any serial number or manufacturer information on it. Looks to be pretty old.
Can anyone help in identifying the revolver or know where to go to get more information on it?
Thanks

 

[PaleHawkDown]

My brother in law passed recently and am going through his gun collection. The revolver doesnt have any serial number or manufacturer information on it. Looks to be pretty old.
Can anyone help in identifying the revolver or know where to go to get more information on it?
Thanks
View attachment 183660 View attachment 183661

It's a constabulary revolver.
Probably Belgian made, based on the safety.
Every European constabulary force with aspirations used copies of these through the turn of the century unless they had enough money to afford Nagant revolvers or knockoffs, or unless they had a mandate to use something specific and/or domestically designed.

I even have a mystery piece in my store in 7.5mm Belgian Ordnance, or 7.5 Swiss (7.5x22 vs 7.5x23, and similar enough to be interchangeable-sometimes?).

The smallest caliber I have seen was 6.35 MM, and the biggest was in 11mm French Ordnance, but they were chambered in pretty much every center-fire or rim-fire cartridge in between (I've seen 41 RF, 8mm Lebel Pistol, 450, 452, 455, 10.4, pretty much every bulldog caliber, .380, .320, 9.4 Dutch, .44 Russian, 38 Colt, 38 S&W/.380 British, and many more)

If you know the approximate caliber, we can probably narrow down where it was used.

 

[Oakleaf]

I just have to say that I really like the floral tooling on that holster. Somebody was skilled in leatherwork.

 

[mouser9]

Sure does have a Belgian look to it. Wonder what caliber it is in?

 

[erniep10]

It's a constabulary revolver.
Probably Belgian made, based on the safety.
Every European constabulary force with aspirations used copies of these through the turn of the century unless they had enough money to afford Nagant revolvers or knockoffs, or unless they had a mandate to use something specific and/or domestically designed.

I even have a mystery piece in my store in 7.5mm Belgian Ordnance, or 7.5 Swiss (7.5x22 vs 7.5x23, and similar enough to be interchangeable-sometimes?).

The smallest caliber I have seen was 6.35 MM, and the biggest was in 11mm French Ordnance, but they were chambered in pretty much every center-fire or rim-fire cartridge in between (I've seen 41 RF, 8mm Lebel Pistol, 450, 452, 455, 10.4, pretty much every bulldog caliber, .380, .320, 9.4 Dutch, .44 Russian, 38 Colt, 38 S&W/.380 British, and many more)

If you know the approximate caliber, we can probably narrow down where it was used.

Thanks for your help... based on the information you provided I believe it may be a 1883 german reichsrevolver which is a 10.6mm revolver. Matches pretty closely from what I have seen online but not exactly.

 

[PaleHawkDown]

Thanks for your help... based on the information you provided I believe it may be a 1883 german reichsrevolver which is a 10.6mm revolver. Matches pretty closely from what I have seen online but not exactly.

The 1883 is definitely in the family, but those have a lot of distinct markings : German Colonial Uniforms

If you have a tape measure, would you mind taking a rough measurement of the muzzle?

 

[erniep10]

I have confirmed it is a 1883 Officers Reichsrevolver. See attached which is identical to the one I have.

German Model 1883 Officer's Reichsrevolver | Barnebys

Germany, 10.6mm, serial number 534 all matching, checkered walnut grips, blued finish, marked on the left side of the frame in an oval cartouche "V r.s.*C.G.H./SUHL", with proofs under the barrel and in front of the trigger guard.

www.barnebys.com

 

[PaleHawkDown]

I have confirmed it is a 1883 Officers Reichsrevolver. See attached which is identical to the one I have.

German Model 1883 Officer's Reichsrevolver | Barnebys

Germany, 10.6mm, serial number 534 all matching, checkered walnut grips, blued finish, marked on the left side of the frame in an oval cartouche "V r.s.*C.G.H./SUHL", with proofs under the barrel and in front of the trigger guard.

www.barnebys.com

So, it has all the markings? That makes it easy. I thought you said it had no serial number or maker identification. ALL Reichsrevolvers have numerous markings, including a serial and a maker mark.

The Belgian knockoffs, however...

 

[erniep10]

So, it has all the markings? That makes it easy. I thought you said it had no serial number or maker identification. ALL Reichsrevolvers have numerous markings, including a serial and a maker mark.

The Belgian knockoffs, however...

Sorry... by markings I meant the shape and design of the gun is exact.