Yesterday's Weapons Forums

I've been keeping up on the shooting war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. On another site this image of Armenian women from 1895 was posted.

I like to think I know a thing or two about guns, but I flat can't ID the revolver. Any clues? SW

It looks like a Scholfield type revolver, but there are some differences in the frame next to the cylinder. It is a little too grainy for me to tell more.

i thought a nagant but as noted it has resemblance to others of the era so im not certain

I was thinking Montenegran Gasser but no - it's just too crude. Which points to a handmade gun. I mean, look at the trigger guard - you could knock a cow out with it & not bend it a lick.

Actually I think either one of that pair could knock out a cow... with a right cross! SW

yup , want to meet neither in a dark alley , they look a bit "old west" in some ways other than those shootin irons ,

My basic question is does this appear to be a top break revolver?

It might be a a native design based on a Gasser or Schofield, but made in Russia since Russia considers these countries part of their heritage. I doubt it was hand made as the timing of the cylinders is somewhat critical unless they bought a bunch of cylinders of an existing design and adapted it to a native frame. I think this has been done before.

It is the frame appearance that is different from most top break revolvers and the top strap a bit shorter where the latchup is located. The frame also has more meat behind the cylinder than other top breaks I looked at. The cylinder does look a little dwarfed compared to the size of the frame.

i didnt think top break , but then the photo is not enlargeable on my computer so i cant get a real good look , i agree the cylinder looks a bit small for that frame which led me to the nagant , i do not see scholfield in that one - russians did have the S&W no1s but i dont know those well and never had interest in cowboy as i hate the feel in my hand - and yes i did own three of them once a while back ,

I did not think it was an actual Schofield. I do think it was based on a model like Gasser or Schofield. I see one major difference.The upper part of the frame is wider than any photgraph of a top-break I have seen. What I am talking about is the distance across the frame near the top. It is at least twice as broad as any other top-break I have seen. Some have wider lower frame extensions, but not this one, in fact the area behind the cylinder is greater that the area below the cylinder.

Interesting Cartridge belts!

B