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Collectible Antique Handguns
(pre-1899)
NOTE: THE ITEMS BELOW ARE "ANTIQUES" AND DO NOT REQUIRE A FFL FOR SHIPMENT.

Important information about ordering firearms from us!
If you see a firearm that you want, let us know and we will hold it for you. Firearms manufactured after 1898 can only be shipped to someone with a Federal Firearms License (FFL). If you have a Curio & Relic FFL, we can ship items considered by the BATF directly to you, as long as there are no state or local restrictions (California??). If you do not have a C&R FFL, then we can only ship guns made after 1898 to a FFL dealer in your area. The dealer will have you fill out a 4473 form ("yellow sheet") to conduct the required federal "Brady" instant background check, and any other paperwork required in your area before allowing you to take possession. FFL holders often charge a small fee for handling these transfers, as well as any state or federal fees for the background check. If you don't know of any FFL holders in your area, we may be able to help you find one willing to handle transfers.
All firearms are sold as collectors items only. We warrant them to be as described, and make no claims as to fitness for use. Have them checked by a competent gunsmith prior to firing. We assume no liability for accidents or injuries resulting from firing or any other use of any firearm we sell. By ordering from this listing, you certify that you understand and agree to these terms.
Notice- Because of bureaucratic requirements, we cannot sell cartridge firearms to customers outside the United States.

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Collectible Antique Handguns (pre-1899) or not requiring FFL

**NEW ADDITION** 1601 SCARCE U.S. MODEL 1855 SPRNGFIELD ARMORY PISTOL-CARBINE DATED 1855 - (No serial number.) Springfield made millions of rifles over their long history, but only made three pistol models. The first was the Model 1817 single shot .69 caliber flintlock with only about 1,000 cobbled together circa 1818, mostly from unfinished parts first begun about 1807. The third was the Model 1911 .45 automatic with about30,733 made 1914-1917. The second was this Model 1855 single shot percussion pistol-carbine with only about 4,012 made 1855-1857. The 1855 pistol-carbine is a great example of a government project- note very good for its intended purpose, and obsolete by the time it was finished. As part of the innovative Model 1855 arms family which introduced the .58 caliber Minie ball, this had the Maynard tape primer system similar to that on the Rifles and Rifle Muskets. These were intended for issue to mounted troops, as a pair to be carried in pommel holsters for use while mounted. (Thus called “horse pistols” as opposed to “belt pistols to be carried in a belt holster.) The 12 inch barrel weight makes these nearly impossible to hold and aim accurately as a pistol. When fighting dismounted, the detachable shoulder stock was to be installed, with better accuracy but the rear sight for 400 yards was wildly optimistic. (Notches also for 100 and 200 yards and a peep for 300.) One shoulder stock was supplied with each PAIR of pistols, and all were numbered to ensure matching with proper fit. This example is number “2” on the butt cap, and numbers were done in batches from 1 to 20. The .58 caliber Minie ball was a heavy kicker and unpleasant to fire from hand or shoulder. Perhaps they would have been better received if the Colt .44 caliber Dragoon revolvers had not been already widely issued before the 1855 Pistol-Carbines showed up, and after having seen a six shot revolver, the single shot pistol was nearly absurd. Despite the shortcomings for actual warfare use, these are really handsome looking guns, and quite popular with collectors, as some were used in the Civil War, and they mark the end of the single shot non-cartridge pistol in U.S. military use, although some rolling block pistols did see use by the Navy and Army in the 1860s-70s. This example has been in John’s collection for many years but needs a new home. Matching 1855 manufacture dates on lock and barrel. Excellent mechanics, and bore looks near new. Stock has assorted dings and may have been lightly cleaned long ago, with no sign of any wood damage behind the nipple area. The stock is age cracked along the grain near the bottom of the grip, as is the case with just about all of these as the wood shrinks over time but the metal parts do not, creating stress cracks. Exterior iron or steel parts are mostly dull steel gray mixed with scattered patina and fine salt and pepper roughness. This could be cleaned to bright, if yo prefer that look, but most collectors prefer antiques to be uncleaned. The 100/200 yard sight leaf has the left part of the 200 yard leaf broken off, but leaves move easily and most of these have much worse rear sight problems. The often missing sling swivel on the barrel band, and the swivel rammer are both intact and original, often not the case on these. Maynard tape primer door shuts and latches properly, and the feed mechanism inside is complete and functional. While not a mint example this is far above the usual condition of these scarce guns, and a nice example of one of three Springfield made pistols. Note that this is the pistol only, without the carbine stock. Twice as many pistols were made as stocks, and they are about impossible to find loose, and there have been some fakes/replicas made, so be careful if you try to find on. ANTIQUE, no FFL needed. $2995.00 (View Picture)

17864 FRENCH/BELGIAN FLINTLOCK MILITARY PISTOL CIRCA 1800-1830 - This has the Belgian ELG in oval proof mark on the .69 caliber smoothbore barrel, eight inches long, along with a small crown over LF on the left flat. There is a poorly struck crown over E on the lockplate, similar to that used by several French arsenals. The basic design is typical of all European military pistols of the period, but has a swivel ring on the butt for a lanyard, and there are no provisions for a ramrod. These features suggest it may have been intended for use as an initial attack weapon with no intention to reload immediately, but follow up with hand to hand combat with a sword or cutlass- such as cavalry, naval use, or even coast guard/customs type groups. Although the precise identification is a bit murky, this is a handsome gun, in excellent condition. The brass butt cap, trigger guard and band have a mellow golden patina. The unsanded stock has a mellow old oiled patina, but there is a missing chip on the left side along the barrel channel. Left flat has an illegible oval cartouche of some sort. The barrel and lock are not rusted or pitted, but do have dried oil and crud and staining mixed with a dull steel gray. This would probably clean up with some steel wool and WD-40. Mechanically good, and in original flint, not a reconversion. Excellent bore. A handsome example of the classic military single shot flintlock pistol, albeit lacking specific identification. ANTIQUE- no FFL needed. $895.00 (View Picture)

FLARE GUNS & LINE THROWING GUNS FOR COLLECTORS:
Note that while these were made after 1898, special provisions in federal law exempt them from the normal post-1898 handgun FFL procedures, and they can be ordered just like an antique firearm, without need for a FFL so we are listing them here:

7104 BRITISH SCHERMULY ROCKET PISTOL APPARATUS (SRPA) LINE THROWING GUN - Serial number 20148 made circa 1940-1960. This is the “International Number 2” size unit, using 41mm rockets, with 15 7/8” barrel. Made by Schermuly on a brass framed signal (flare) pistol No.1 Mk III* with the addition of a steel barrel and handle. Schermuly made similar devices for three different sizes of rockets, 30mm, 41mm or 50mm diameter, although all used the same 1 inch (25mm) “ignition-ipulse” cartridges. The rocket has a “U” shaped wire frame attached to it, hinged to allow it to hang down below the gun before firing. A short wire leader is attached to the U-frame and the “shot line” is attached to the wire, keeping it far enough from the rocket exhaust to avoid being burned. The rocket is inserted into the barrel, and a “impulse-ignition cartridge” is inserted into the breech of the gun. When fired, the flash from the cartridge ignites the rocket motor which then travels up to 250 yards. Expanding gases from the ignition cartridge also help expel the rocket from the gun. When the rocket reaches the shore, or the vessel in distress, the light weight shot line is used to haul over a larger line to carry out rescue operation. For more information on William Schermuly and all other types of line throwing guns, see my article in the Bulletin of the American Society of Arms Collectors at https://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2015-B111-Line-Throwing-Guns.pdf Overall fine condition, although bore is dirty, and some scrapes on the barrel paint. Breech end of the barrel has British Broad Arrow property marking ink stamped, so this was likely used by the Royal Navy or RNLI, probably circa WW2 to 1970s. Technically this is not a “firearm” and no FFL is needed. Upper photos show the gun for sale; lower photo shows a different gun with a rocket so you can see what they look like. NO FFL required. $575.00 (View Picture)

22157 RED FLARE PARACHUTE SIGNAL- KILGORE #52 - “P52 PISTOL PROJECTED PARACHUTE RED FLARE DISTRESS SIGNAL APPROVED BY U.S. COAST GUARD 160.024/2/4, manufactured by the Kilgore Dorporation, Toone, TN, division of International Flare Signal .” is ink stamped on the thin aluminum case of the flare signal The short aluminum cartridge case headstamp identifies the maker and patent info along with date of March 1989, and expiration date of September 1992 is ink stamped on side. This is a 37mm cartridge with the case about 1 1/8” long and overall length of 7 1/8”. Loaded, live round, but due to age and expired status sold as display item only and not safe for actual use. See photo for details. These were used with the International Flare Signal and Kilgore Model 52 flare guns, and probably all the other heavy 37mm flare guns with barrels about 8 inches long. $22.00 (View Picture)

21712 FLARE GUNS & SIGNAL PISTOLS: THEIR USE, DESCRIPTION AND ACCESSORIES - By Robert M. Gaynor, 178 pages 8.5” x 11” soft covers. This book is the best single reference on this subject for collectors today. In fact, except for brief passage in obscure manuals, or discussion of a gun or two the scope of a more general work there is nothing conveniently available on this subject. Given the number of people who collect flare guns it is amazing that there is not more written on the subject. At this point, flare guns are still mostly modestly priced, and remain an attractive collecting field with few regulations and a good variety of items. Some 96 different Flare or Signal pistols are covered, with dimensions and some historical background and information on maker and the intended use. This is on the same page as a good sketch of the item. There is not much information on total numbers made or other indication of relative rarity, but it is a good starting point for further research. The drawing allow you easily identify your gun with the one in the book. There is a drawing and info for each of 37 U.S. flare and signal guns, ranging from Civil War Army and Navy models up to late 20th century commercial products. He also covers 11 British or Canadian designs, 9 French, 17 German, 4 Italian, 3 Japanese, 6 Russian/Eastern European designs, and 9 from other countries. Besides the guns Gaynor covers 29 holster or carrying kits, and 19 different types of cartridges, along with a 10 page table with more detailed info on cartridges. An excellent bibliography and good index complete this book. This is a very useful and accurately researched book on this specialized topic, which we use every time we encounter any flare or signal gun, and one that anyone interested in Flare or Signal guns needs in their library. OUT OF STOCK- OUT OF PRINT- LOOK ON USED BOOK LISTS- WORTH THE SEARCH!

20426 RED STAR PARACHUTE SIGNAL- KILGORE #52 - “# 52 RED STAR PARACHUTE SIGNAL APPROVED BY U.S. COAST GUARD MERCHANT MARINE INSPECTION manufactured by the International Flare Signal Division of the Kilgore Mfg. Co. Tipp City, O.” is ink stamped on the thin aluminum case of the flare signal The short aluminum cartridge case headstamp identifies the maker and patent info along with date of May 1945,and also stamped on the flare case bodynear the mouth. This is a 37mm cartridge with the case about 1 1/8” long and overall length of 7 1/8”. Loaded, live round, but due to age and apparent poor storages sold as display item only and not safe for actual use. See photo for details. These were used with the International Flare Signal and Kilgore Model 52 flare guns, and probably all the other heavy 37mm flare guns with barrels about 8-8.5 inches long. $25.00 (View Picture)

9485 WW2 VINTAGE WOOD SHIPPING CRATE FOR 10 GAUGE RED VERY SIGNALS - This originally had 24 boxes of 10 rounds each, but is now empty. (ten boxes are shown in place to illustrate the proper packing layout, but are NOT included). Stenciled on both sides: SIGNAL KIGHTS MK 2 VERY RED STAR IN CARTONS CODE- 20020-B LOT- [number painted over]/ Just the thing to spice up your flare gun collection. Overall excellent condition. No lid. Other than the 10 boxes of ammo inside, what you see is what you get. $40.00 (View Picture)