Looking to buy my first antique handgun...any advice?

Grizzlypeg said:
I like my Schofield. It's a 2nd edition, so its from around 1875. Barrel was cut down to 5". It has great ergonomics for holding and shooting, much more so than some of the early S&W designs that my hand barely fits between the grip and the trigger guard. The ammo is easy to load for, I'm using Trailboss powder, and a rather light load at that. The gun seems to shoot fine with 45 cal cast bullets, but accuracy is only on par for hitting a man sized target in the vitals at 20 yards. It's no tack driver. I do see these old guns as rather delicate, and don't put many rounds through it. I like the look of it, as well as the Colt SAA's and the Remingtons. I might buy a Remington 1875 (?) some day. Just to be different.
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You'll never regret it.....:yingyang:.....I love my Remington 1875.....:dancingbanana:
 
I had a guy respond to my add on kijiji and he says he got a Remington 1890 SA revolver,44-40,7 1/2" barrel..he says the bore is very good and the overall condition is very nice,I'm trying to get him to send a few pictures.....any thoughts on this gun and it's value(presuming all the information he give me is correct and the gun is all original)?
 
Newfie_gun_nut said:
I had a guy respond to my add on kijiji and he says he got a Remington 1890 SA revolver,44-40,7 1/2" barrel..he says the bore is very good and the overall condition is very nice,I'm trying to get him to send a few pictures.....any thoughts on this gun and it's value(presuming all the information he give me is correct and the gun is all original)?
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Okay, so here's the thing.....:yingyang:....in Canada, a .44-40 handgun is not considered "antique status" :( , no matter how old (or new) it is.....
 
:( that sucks,it's the first local response to my add :(...oh well..thanks cyclone for the info,greatly appreciated,I may still inquire about it because I have plans on getting my restricted PAL,I googled it and looked amazing!,and from what I can read they are pretty rare..
 
One other thing about the 1890's......:yingyang:....because they are very rare , some dishonest people "chopped" 1875's to "make their own" 1875's - just be on the alert.
 
Obviously inquiring about a 44-40 shows that you need to learn a bunch prior to your first purchase. Read these threads, it will save you having to ask questions already answered 100 times this last month.

How to tell if it's antique by caliber; antique status flowchart.

Collecting and shooting antiques

On top of those two helpful threads there are a bunch at the top of the forum called "stickies". Read those and you'll be well on your way.

Hope that helps.
 
Also talking to a dealer from this site,he has a DA Thomas Bland and sons 450 Big frame 6 shot revolver,it's a very nice looking gun,and shoots 455 fiocchi factory ammo...seems like a great gun!..I'm very interested in it..any comments?
 
Heyo - in summary:

I would really strongly recommend that you read the stickies at the top of the blackpowder page. There is a pile of information in them ranging from laws to storage to shooting to reloading to status determination. It's the most complete resource I've come across on the internet and will help you save a ton of time, money and effort in the long run. Plus you'll be learning about antiques!

As for 455 fiocchi - depending on the gun it may be a bit high pressure. Lots of guns will be fine with it, but all antiques are old so it's on a case by case basis whether or not the gun you'd be shooting it in is capable of handling the loads. Some guns may be fine, some need small repairs to be fine, some may never be safe for one reason or another. I should add my experience with fiocchi is limited, however I found it a bit on the strong side compared to my loads, and I've since read similar comments about fiocchi being hot-loaded, so I'm inclined to believe it to be a bit hot, instead of my just being a wimp :p
 
Here's my Schofield (on top). A Garate and Anitua in 455 Webley below it.

anitua2001.jpg
 
Newfie_gun_nut said:
Win 38-55 thanks for the very helpful information..those guns are amazing,acutally drooled a little,that 44 Russian is absolutely beautiful!,what would one like that in about the same shape cost?,
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I think you'd be looking at somewhere between $5,500 and $6,500 by the time you paid your taxes at the border and got it here.
 
if your willing to spend $7000 for a gun hat will go up in value a pre 1898 mauser c96 is a good one but you need to reload for it with a soft cast bullet and light loads if your going to shoot it
 
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loki_81 said:
Obviously inquiring about a 44-40 shows that you need to learn a bunch prior to your first purchase. Read these threads, it will save you having to ask questions already answered 100 times this last month.

How to tell if it's antique by caliber; antique status flowchart.

Collecting and shooting antiques

On top of those two helpful threads there are a bunch at the top of the forum called "stickies". Read those and you'll be well on your way.

Hope that helps.
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This is gold....:wave:
 
antiqueguy said:
if your willing to spend $7000 for a gun hat will go up in value a pre 1898 mauser 1896 is a good one but you need to reload for it with a soft cast bullet and light loads if your going to shoot it
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Sure :yingyang: , if it's matching....:nest:


I have an 1898-manufacture Swedish 1896 that I got for.....considerably less.
 
BSA Jack said:
Sure wish I knew something about brain surgery and had 7 grand to spend, maybe then I could get in on this thread :) Just a question for the general public, not anything to do with you Newfie gun nut. but I taught firearms safety for 30 years, my students sure knew more about guns then brain surgery, in this world today how do you get a PAL :confused:
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a compleat idiot gangbanger could pass the non restricted corse(i know of one who passed the restricted corse) most of the instructors dont touch on everything but the basics
 
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