Indians For Guns

Wonder what would be the value of Smith & wessson .320 rifle with revolving chamber?

A SCARCE .320 SMITH & WESSON REVOLVING RIFLE, NO. 391, CIRCA 1882
Ribbed barrel marked with Smith & Wesson address and patent dates, mounted with adjustable rear sight, mottled red color hard rubber fore-end and grips, varnished walnut stock with checkered hard rubber butt plate with S&W logo 20 inch (50.8cm.) barrel. A total of 977 of these rifles were made from 1879-1887 in three different barrel lengths 16, 18 and 20 inches. The 20 inch barrel length is the scarcest with 224 manufactured. Sold by Christies in June 2001 for US$ 4,935/-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_and_ ... ving_Rifle

While I haven't a clue about the value of this rifle, I would certainly like to see the pictures of one.Do you ask because you have one or have access to one?In either case,could you post a few pics please?Thanks.

Best-
Vikram

Vikram,

I know of a similar firearm which was sold by one Ambala dealer around 3-4 years back . One firearm has surfaced in U.P area now, may be the same , may be not.

You have a PM.

best,
Rp.

Thanks brothers for the info.Will try to post some pics in a day or two.Yes it is up for sale.
Regards.

harvisingh wrote:Thanks brothers for the info.Will try to post some pics in a day or two.Yes it is up for sale.

Please post an introduction first . Are you an Arms/Ammo dealer ?

best,
Rp.

Rajesh, Surinder ( Ambala based dealer,hope am right ),had this gun about 4 years ago,saw it,really didnt fit any use i could have for it,anyway hats off to your "ear on the ground" Rgds Amit

In India, probably 2-3000 since ammunition is not available, and unlikely to every be available. It is a little more than a paper weight.

Yep, interesting piece but as MoA says, in India it's just an expensive paper weight - plus it eats up one of your maximum three licenses! Would not bother with it at any price

@ Doc: Looks like Harvisingh is indeed an arms dealer as per his profile on IFG. This piece is surely a collector's item and a curio but as Mundaire pointed out not of much use to an active Indian Shooter. Even if one were to get hold of ammo, I understand that it is best to shoot it one handed like a pistol?! or one's left forearm is liable to be sort of peppered!!

@ Vikram: Plenty of pics on the net if you Google Image "Smith & wessson .320 rifle with revolving chamber" mostly from rare auction arm sites

Sorry for the delay in posting the pics.As far as my introduction is concerned,I am a arms dealer based in Varanasi.Regards-

http://s1180.photobucket.com/albums/x413/harvisingh/

harvisingh wrote:http://s1180.photobucket.com/albums/x413/harvisingh/

Aha, this piece is different than the firearm which was sold in these parts . Also your firearm's cylinder & frame have been nickeled and barrel has been blued . The stock seems original though .

1.How much is the price ?
2.What caliber is that ammo shown in the picture ?

best,
Rp.

A few more pics of the same piece. taken by my Blackberry at Harvi's place
http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg35 ... 20chamber/

Cheers
parag

In India nickel/ chrome plating is usually applied to hide serious rust damage, from the photos it would seem that even this plating is flaking off, the fore end wood seems like a replacement. The cosmetic condition is rather poor, the mechanical condition can only be verified first hand - does not seem attractive even viewed as a collectible (non-shooting) piece.

My advice would be to have it certified as a odd-bore antique for which ammo is not available in India - so it can be bought without an arms license. You'll probably get some interested buyers and a better price that way.

@ Mundaire - logical take on the subject


On second thought - with modern ammo a revolving rifle in good condition should be safe to fire?!

ckkalyan wrote:Even if one were to get hold of ammo, I understand that it is best to shoot it one handed like a pistol?! or one's left forearm is liable to be sort of peppered!!