Mystery Brass 58

[BigSkyRambler]

Picked up a cased brass frame 1858. 0ther than 378 stamped on grip frame and on bottom of barrel under cylinder pin, it is unmarked. Grips look hand made. It came in a case with a brass tag reading:

HANDCRAFTED FOR
PAUL W. HERSH
BY
ALLEN A. PERRYMAN, JR.

Google told me there was an Allen A. Perryman, Jr. in NC who had been in a German POW camp.

Question: Were there ever any kit guns without any manufacturer marks or proofs? Is it conceivable that Mr. Perryman actually made the revolver or, more likely, just the case? Gun appears unfired, although lots of patina on brass. Anyone in NC ever hear of Mr. Perryman?

 

[Dave Marsh]

Could it be possible that the case was what he made and not the pistol? Just a thought as the plaque is on the case.

 

[BigSkyRambler]

Could it be possible that the case was what he made and not the pistol? Just a thought as the plaque is on the case.

As I stated in the post. But the other questions yet to be answered. De-farbed? I have seen several hand made copies of percussion revolvers over the years. A good machinist can make about anything.

 

[appalichian hunter]

SWAG here I would say a kit gun put together with a handmade case.

 

[BigSkyRambler]

SWAG here I would say a kit gun put together with a handmade case.

Seems most likely. But I have never seen any of these Italian guns, kit or otherwise, completely devoid of stamping. So I assume it was defarbed, but never fired.

 

[Notchy Bob]

Even though it is likely an Italian kit gun, it is still an interesting revolver with a story to tell. I’ve no idea who Mr. Perryman was, but whether he built the case or assembled the revolver or both, he did nice work. He took pains to orient the wood grain in the stocks to maximize strength and minimize risk of splitting, and while the inside of the grip frame was left rough, he did a good job with the exposed metal.

If he was the same man who spent time in a German POW camp, bless his heart! He may have found this type of work to be therapeutic.

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

 

[BigSkyRambler]

Even though it is likely an Italian kit gun, it is still an interesting revolver with a story to tell. I’ve no idea who Mr. Perryman was, but whether he built the case or assembled the revolver or both, he did nice work. He took pains to orient the wood grain in the stocks to maximize strength and minimize risk of splitting, and while the inside of the grip frame was left rough, he did a good job with the exposed metal.

If he was the same man who spent time in a German POW camp, bless his heart! He may have found this type of work to be therapeutic.

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

Great insight. Thank you.

 

[springfield art]

There are a small hand-full of hobby machinists who can mfg. a revolver from scratch part-for-part, but I tend to agree about the "case" theory. Neat any way you slice it!