Approximate value of my gun?

Slowbalt

Slowbalt

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Hello,

I would like to know the approximate value of my gun. I am unsure if I want to sell it or keep it, but if I do I want to make sure that I get the fair price for it. Information is scarce, so I thought that you guys could help.

Gun is a Belgian six shot .380 Revolver Short, in original caliber (heeled bullets). It has the Liege proof marks and according to Alan at littlegun.be, it has been made by Gustave Prevost. I have very little other information on this gun. Antique for sure, but as for value...










 
It looks like a French 1873 Ordenance revolver mated with a British bulldog. It looks to be in good shape. A bit different which probably won't help the value. If it's mechanically sound, with a good bore, and fires a centerfire cartridge, it's worth at least $600-$800, in today's antique revolver economy. Might be worth a fair bit more. Something this different (not that many floating around to compare to) is mostly based on how bad someone wants it and what they are willing to pay. Consider similar guns (go through the ads on CGN now) and extrapolate from there. There's a .44 Bulldog F&W on for $1100 right now. A known name with a good reputation in excellent condition. French 1873's go for from $1000-$1400 or thereabouts depending on condition. Double action .44 russian S&W's go for about $1300-$1600 (and they are very easy to reload for) Hope that helps a little.
 
While a nice revolver, Tumbleweeds13 has it down with the description and is also about right with the value ($600-$800).

Most people when buying these Belgian revolvers look for ones in .44 to .45 calibre, this .38 would be no more powerful than a French M1982 8mm and one of those revolvers is far better made of more superior steel! The French M1892's usually sell for around $1000 in fair condition.

Here is a similar Belgian clone of a French M1873 revolver to get a perspective on their value in the US - http://collectorebooks.com/gregg01/eurorevolver/Lot-1543.htm
 
A slight tangent to the thread but does anyone have a good reference for what the *T stands for on the back of the cylinder? It was my impression that it referred to a smokeless proof with type T powder and that only type S proofs were antique. What shoots that theory down is the oval belgian proof with no crown over it that indicates a proof prior to I think 1893

cheers mooncoon
 
mooncoon said:
A slight tangent to the thread but does anyone have a good reference for what the *T stands for on the back of the cylinder? It was my impression that it referred to a smokeless proof with type T powder and that only type S proofs were antique. What shoots that theory down is the oval belgian proof with no crown over it that indicates a proof prior to I think 1893

cheers mooncoon
Click to expand...

The T under Star is the post 1877 Belgian inspectors own mark, nobody knows anymore which inspector used what letter. Between 1853 and 1877 they used a Crown above the letter but had to change it after the London Gunsmiths guild complained that it was too similar to their proof marks which they had been using before the Belgians!

This might help you - http://damascus-barrels.com/Belgian_All_Proofmarks.html
 
Yeah pre 1893 proof and no Lion with P.V. Definitely an antique and not a nitro gun.

Really sweet looking piece, if the bore, cylinders, timing and lock up are good I'd say $700-1000.

A functional revolver in a .380 center fire cambering is worth that easily in my opinion.

That gun looks to be in very good condition in the pictures and is quite well made. A rare gun, most likely made in a small no name shop, one of the many.
 
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