Cleaning out some storage and ran across the pistol photo below. I once owned this pistol, when I lived in Victoria, BC about 30 years ago. To explain, I worked for a weekly newspaper, The Victorian, and ran classified ads in each issue asking to buy guns. This gun was offered by a very elderly gentleman in Esquimalt who knew nothing about it - or maybe had forgottin.
Over the years I've forgotten most of the details linked to this massive antique. I was a member of the Vancouver Island Arms Collectors Association (VIACA) and published a newletter for the club. I enlisted the aid of local, professional photographer, Ellis Shipman to take pictures I could use on the front cover of our monthly newsletter.
This picture was used on one of our issues. Ellis evidently wrote notes on the back (also pictured below). It would appear he contacted a Bill Scott's Pawn Shop for info. I can only guess at what his notes mean. (Nor do I recall where the open book in the background came from.)
J.W. Hill - Birmingham. Perhaps this is the designer's or manufacturer's name.
Prototype of revolver, serial # 11. As i recall, the gun was rather crude, in the white and had no grips.
1/2 in. bore slightly larger than .45. I remember it was BIG and I'm sure he alludes to the .45acp cartridge.
Length of cartridge 2 inches. Gun Weight 3 lbs. Groove bores in barrel - 5. All self-explanatory.
I've not been back to BC since the '90s, and spent no time in the Victoria area as our children we came to visit live up-island. Do not recall who purchased the gun back in the '80s. I sold a PILE of iron prior to moving back to the States to care for an elderly mother and also a mother-in-law.
I wanted to get this info out to the general collecting community in Canada in case this was just the clue some collector has been looking for. No use throwing it out instead of passing it on.
There's your clues. Hope someone can figure this one out. Sorry I ever let go of it now. It may still be up there in the lower mainland of BC, or over on the Island. I hope it's had a good home. mauser
AND HERE ARE THE NOTES ON THE BACK....
Over the years I've forgotten most of the details linked to this massive antique. I was a member of the Vancouver Island Arms Collectors Association (VIACA) and published a newletter for the club. I enlisted the aid of local, professional photographer, Ellis Shipman to take pictures I could use on the front cover of our monthly newsletter.
This picture was used on one of our issues. Ellis evidently wrote notes on the back (also pictured below). It would appear he contacted a Bill Scott's Pawn Shop for info. I can only guess at what his notes mean. (Nor do I recall where the open book in the background came from.)
J.W. Hill - Birmingham. Perhaps this is the designer's or manufacturer's name.
Prototype of revolver, serial # 11. As i recall, the gun was rather crude, in the white and had no grips.
1/2 in. bore slightly larger than .45. I remember it was BIG and I'm sure he alludes to the .45acp cartridge.
Length of cartridge 2 inches. Gun Weight 3 lbs. Groove bores in barrel - 5. All self-explanatory.
I've not been back to BC since the '90s, and spent no time in the Victoria area as our children we came to visit live up-island. Do not recall who purchased the gun back in the '80s. I sold a PILE of iron prior to moving back to the States to care for an elderly mother and also a mother-in-law.
I wanted to get this info out to the general collecting community in Canada in case this was just the clue some collector has been looking for. No use throwing it out instead of passing it on.
There's your clues. Hope someone can figure this one out. Sorry I ever let go of it now. It may still be up there in the lower mainland of BC, or over on the Island. I hope it's had a good home. mauser
AND HERE ARE THE NOTES ON THE BACK....
