Pistol I.D. please

[Ian Knight]

I received this pistol part with a few other bits and pieces that I bought at an auction in the U.K.. Would anyone have an idea what the pistol is please?
There are a couple of markings which appear to be an arrow over a letter 'V' over a star. The barrel is octagonal with a bore of 8mm.
Thanks.
Ian

[Dmitry]

Looks like a cut-down rifle breach.

[fernando]

The arrow and the V (for viewed) are (or also are) symbols of British proof and inspection marks; maybe just a coincidence :o
Fernando

[fernando]

Looks like a cut-down rifle breach.

I would say this is surely from a pistol; look at the barrel with its sight ... in all integrity.
Fernando

[fernando]

Can you open it?
Sideways ... upways ?
And then take a picture?
Fernando

[Dmitry]

I would say this is surely from a pistol; look at the barrel with its sight ... in all integrity.
Fernando

Rear sight for a rifle barrel.

[Ian Knight]

Thanks guys. I think you are correct Dmitry. The barrel appears to have been cut down to turn a rifle into a pistol. The sight does have a 'V' cut in it.
I have taken it apart but I will have to wait until daylight to take a decent photo. The hammer strikes against a pin which passes through a hole in the the breech. The breech can be swiveled up to load by means of a little handle on the right side of the breech. The hammer has got two cocked positions.

Ian

[Dmitry]

The hammer strikes against a pin which passes through a hole in the the breech. The breech can be swiveled up to load by means of a little handle on the right side of the breech. The hammer has got two cocked positions.

Ian

Sounds like a Flobert rifle.

[Ian Knight]

That's it Dmitry. I have checked similar examples online.
Thanks for your help.
Ian

[fernando]

I would say this is surely from a pistol; look at the barrel with its sight ... in all integrity.
Fernando



So i was blind :o :o :o
Fernando

[Norman McCormick]

Hi,
The mechanism sounds more like centrefire, would like to see better photos though, and as far as I can remember Flobert actions were all rimfire regardless of calibre. There was a reasonable sprinkling of 8mm centrefire rifles in the late 19th early 20th Century.
Regards,
Norman.

[Dmitry]

This is the Warnant patented breech for the Flobert system.

[kahnjar1]

What you have is definately a cut down long arm. I have had two of these over the years, one single and the other a double barrel smoothbore. The action is (I believe) RISACKS PATENT as this was marked on on one of mine. The proof marks shown are BELGIAN, not British.
Regards Stuart

[Ian Knight]

Thanks Stuart,
The mark is indeed the same as the illustration.
The breech looks like it is of the 'Springfield' improved type.
Ian