Pistol I.D. please
 

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

Looks like a cut-down rifle breach.

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

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

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

Rear sight for a rifle barrel.

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

Sounds like a Flobert rifle.

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

So i was blind :o :o :o
Fernando

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.

This is the Warnant patented breech for the Flobert system.

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

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