What is it and what's it worth

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I always hate those posts, but this is for a good cause.

An older lady I know from on-line (ebay) is the last in her family and she's selling off some things her dad left her. She said she wants them to go to someone that will appreciate them and if she just keeps them they'll end up being sold for nothing after she passes away.

Anyway, her dad brought back a Japanese revolver. It's been in the holster since he brought it back and has some holster cancer. She said she was thinking about taking it to a gun shop and trying to sell it there but I asked her to wait and I'd see if you guys might have even a rough ball park what she might ask for it. She wasn't looking to get a lot, but I hoped she didn't take it to a shop and have them offer pennies on the dollar either.

I don't even have a clue what this is, but it has the holster and capture papers. I'd assume since it's a Japanese revolver it's not worth a lot, but If anyone knows anything I'd appreciate it.


Thanks,
~ Harlan

These are all the photos I have. The lady barely knew how to use a digital camera and it took a couple of attempts to even get these. She sent them to me in full size from her camera (huge) but it worked out because I was able to zoom and crop to get at least a little detail.

(The last picture is a picture of here dad)

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[vintage hunter]

I would say type 26 but I believe they have a swing out cylinder. Looks like a Japanese copy of a Webley. The characters just below the makers mark should be the type but I can't make heads or tails of them. That was'nt much help was it?

[Patrick Chadwick]

Yes it is a Japanese Type 26 revolver. The symbol that looks like a clover leaf (actually suposed to be a pile of cannon balls seen from above) is from Koishikawa (Tokyo) Arsenal.

The characters above the serial number read: 2 10 (i.e. 2x10=20)... 6... year... type

The serial number appears to be 13434, but the 2nd digit is unclear (could be a 5?)

Numbers ran from 1 to 58000, and this seems to be an example of the earlier series with lightly stamped arsenal mark. From 15000 on the marks and numbers were more deeply stamped. The Type 26 was officially adopted in 1894, and production ceased around 1922. So this one was probably made around 1900.

The caliber is 9mm Japanese, so you need to be a competent reloader if you wish to fire it. However, as it has a proper lanyard and the original holster in excellent condition, it should be of considerably more value to a collector of handguns in general and Japanese handguns in particular. This is perhaps a case for a specialist auction.

Worth hundreds rather than pennies!

Patrick

[vintage hunter]

Huh, so it is a type 26. Thats why I don't have much faith in books, the one I was looking in described the 26 as having a swing out cylinder like a S&W, the swing open lock mechanism of the French Lebel and the overall appearance of the Nagant, not a very accurate discription. This pistol looks more like a cross between the Webley and a Nagant to me. Thanks for the cyphering lesson Patrick, I was'nt that far off after all, the ''2x10'' part is what had me buffalo'd. I was addin' instead of multiplying.

[jmoore]

Yup, Type 26. One thing that will affect value that isn't pictured is whether the tip of the firing pin has been shortened enough the it will no longer reach the primer. Don't know why, but it's fairly common to see them with the tip cut. Nicely made, and the holster surely will help the price.

I could make a SWAG at the price, but the best way would be to search completed auctions on the various gun selling sites. I'm not registered with any, so I can't do it myself.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Beth sent two new photos she took of another pistol her father left her. She wants to sell it too, and she'll probably take it to a gun shop near where she lives.
(She didn't ask me to try to figure a value, but I suspect she may have wanted to know if i could find anything)
Since I already started bothering you guys, and you are some of the most knowledgeable about 'fringe' firearms as well as everything else others don't know much about anyway I'll just add it here as a long shot.

She said there's some notes that say it's a 'Colt 22 Open Top Revolver' and it belonged her great grandfather.

For what it's worth, Beth is a very nice lady I 'met' from ebay just by chance. She served in the US Air Force and she's selling all of her dad's stuff now. I was concerned about her selling the things her father left her, but she really does want to sell everything.

I know most .22's hold little value but has anyone here seen this? One chance out of 1000 any old gun has collector value, but if this one does it would be nice to know.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Yup, Type 26. One thing that will affect value that isn't pictured is whether the tip of the firing pin has been shortened enough the it will no longer reach the primer. Don't know why, but it's fairly common to see them with the tip cut. Nicely made, and the holster surely will help the price.

I could make a SWAG at the price, but the best way would be to search completed auctions on the various gun selling sites. I'm not registered with any, so I can't do it myself.

Tip of the firing pin jmoore?

I spent two days and God knows how many emails to teach her how to take photos using the digital camera someone gave her years ago!

[jmoore]

Well, you won't need a photo. Tip the cylinder and barrel assembly up and then pull the trigger. Whilst holding the trigger in the full rearward position (easing the hammer down might be too complicated to instruct remotely, and one "dry fire" ought not be catastrophic), check to see if the pin protrudes through the breech face. If so, no dramas!

The ones I've seen with the f.p. tip shortened have been ground off to a flat face, but still have some pin remaining.

Oddly, these "modded" examples have also been in the best condition of all the Type 26s seen. Which is probably why I don't have one. If original finish, the hammer and trigger have been in their original tempered color, ranging from "purple" to "straw". Unless there's some variations, but I'm not "knowed up" all that well on the details of these revolvers: they just don't turn up all that frequently!

---------- Post added at 02:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:43 AM ----------

The Colt's interesting! Don't remember when I saw one last-not hugely uncommon, though, IIRC. That one ought to be fairly easy to pin down, though. Flayderman's book will have it, and likely the Blue Book of Gun Values by um, excuse the mangling, "Fishhead". But being Colt, and old, somebody will collect them.

Unless it's in better shape than it looks it may not realize book values as run of the mill antiques like that seem "soft" in price.

---------- Post added at 02:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:51 AM ----------

Sarco has a nice Colt open top for US$450 so... less than that, I reckon.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

If she has not sold the Japanese pistol yet ans is willing to part with the photo and paperwork I would encourage her to sell it all together to preserve the history behind the Item. I would think this would add to the value. I certainly would to me. Nice gesture to help her.

[Bruce McAskill]

Harlan, Value retail would be about the $400 range and the one she has is about average condition from what I have seen. The holster is worth almost as much as the pistol if in very good conditionn plus the lanyard adds to the value. I would hazard a guess as to about $500 wholesale on the package. Funny thing is you can get ammo for it. I think Graf and Sons has it or they used to.