Need old pistol ID

Big Al1

Saw this old pistol at an LGS today. Looks like an old Smith but I don't think it is, says Odin-Orion on the frame. Patent date of 1886, I think!




Looks kinds like a .44 or a .45 Schofield??

Michakav

Coming up empty on Odin-Orion.

sakodude

No help but it looks pretty cool. Did you bring it home?

Michakav

Looks like a lot of Iver Johnson or Smith's
 from the period. But I can't find one with the plate on the left side.

Michakav

Smith/Schofield Model 3 perhaps. Side plate looks the same along with most other features.

earlyagain

Wikipedia lists counterfeit copies.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_Model_3

I don't see an Odin Orion there. Also the the internet pics show a much lower hammer spur than pistol in question.

Big Al1

sakodude said:

No help but it looks pretty cool. Did you bring it home?

I was tempted a little but it dosen't lock up well and the muzzle was oval shaped!!

GunNut

Looks almost identical to my old .38 S&W Smiths!!!

Justsomedude

Not that caliber, but I've worked on one of those. IIRC, it said something about "bicycle company" somewhere on it. I specifically remember that shape side plate but its been a while.

GunNut

Big Al1

Justsomedude said:

Not that caliber, but I've worked on one of those. IIRC, it said something about "bicycle company" somewhere on it. I specifically remember that shape side plate but its been a while.

That's the info I needed. It's an Iver Johnson .38
 stock photo

Diver43

Big Al1 said:

sakodude said:

No help but it looks pretty cool. Did you bring it home?

I was tempted a little but it dosen't lock up well and the muzzle was oval shaped!!

Maybe you can cast some oval shaped bullets?

Gene L

There's a current thread on the S&W forum regarding old, top break revolvers, not S&W.  A lot of folks made them back in the day.  You could buy one by mail for $10.  If that one in the OP has an oval barrel, could mean it was carried a lot, wearing the sides.  If the bore is oval, then something else is going on.  One guy there collects old top break inexpensive revolvers.  I doubt he shoots them, though he's a wealth of knowledge for someone interested.

ETA:  If it's an Iver Johnson it should have the address on the rib.  They made a lot of guns with different names.  (Just checked on the S&W forum for this info).  Also, apparently these top break guns are liked by the SASS shooters who do shoot them in side matches, whatever that is. 

Big Al1

Thanks Gene! The lettering on the rib is worn off and not readable. The muzzle is washed out, hence the oval shape. Old BP gun of course!!

Gene L

At one time, I knew and worked with a guy who was one of those actors in an "Old West" town situations.  He had a Colt SA that was his character gun and the muzzle of it was worn oval from drawing it over the years.  He was somewhat of an ****, carried away with his role playing.  He did whip tricks, too.  Once he tried to snap a cigarette out of the mouth of his wife, who was also a role player. His aim was off and he hit her nose. Left a welt.  Anyway, it must have taken years to wear the muzzle down on that old Colt.  The OP top break might have been carried a whole lot and drawn.  Probably has a history.