This is a double barreled pistol of about 38 caliber (maybe 380 Long?). The only markings are the number 49 on the barrel lug, and a star over E (which I believe to be a Belgian proof mark) on the knob under the frame for opening the barrels.

It is obviously not a high quality pistol, but it was well used and still locks up tight. There is a space between the barrels and the standing breech, but they can not be forced closer so it was apparently made this way (possibly for visual verification that it was loaded?).

The grips fit the frame well, but I do not believe they are original to the pistol since there is a section of wood inside the grip frame between the grip scales. This brings me to my question-if this pistol was produced in numbers large enough to have aftermarket grips available it should be identifiable, so who made it? Any ideas?

Jim



[ 08-15-2003, 06:24: Message edited by: mbogo375 ]

<grin>
I made this, please send it back....

jeffe

jeffe,

Sorry, I don't have your address .

Jim

Looks like a very fun little pistol. Have you shot it yet? Centerfire would be so nice to have.

Here's a pic of my 70 cal Belgian pinfire.

i wondered how hard it would be to replace the long pinfire pins, and make it just a centerfire....

jeffe

The pinfire pins are part of the cartrige. To convert to centerfire, I would have to machine the reciever breach for a regular fireing pin, then adjust the hammers to hit on them. It should be able to be done and I had origianlly thought of it but recieved a few threats about selling me into boy toy slavery to Hillary if I even considered it. Now that I have the cases made, it isn't all that bad to load and fire the pinfire cases. My only concern would be that the pin would walk out and the primer might shift in the case resulting in a misfire. I have thought about putting a drop of clear fingernail polish on the pin to keep in inplace, but just haven't tried it yet. I picked up a couple of box's of CBC 16 ga brass, which seemed like it would be much easier to make cases out of instead of the turned down 50BMG's, but the brass is very thin and would need to be sized down to hold a bullet. Maybe I could size down the end of the case, cut off to length, then solder in as a sleeve to make it thicker? The 50BMG's are looking like the way to go even though it's more work.

Lar45,

What method are you using to convert the CF cases to pin fire? Your pistol looks like a fun shooter.

Jim

For the 50BMG cases, I put a 1/2" pointed rod in the case and chuck in the lathe, then turn down to the correct od. I then cut a very slight and tapered rim. On my pinfire 577 howdah it doesn't have a provision for a rim, but on the 70 cal it will take a very slight tapered rim. I then cut off a bit long with a tubeing cutter, then measure the length with a dial caliper and put back in the lathe to trim the case to length with the aid of a dial indicator. I then put it in the mill vise and remove most of the inside of the case head. The hole for the pin is drilled at an angle starting in the old extractor groove. If the base of the case wasn't milled out the angle would be all wrong to fit a pin inside and still have it rest inside a muzzle loader cap. I solder the BMG primer to the case from the inside. I use a no. 43 drill bit for the pin hole and a no. 3 bright box nail cut to length and rounded on both ends for the pin.
The angle of the grip looks kind of weird on the gun, but it feels great in my hand and points very well. The triggers are at the perfect distance, I don't have to reach for either one. If I can get it to shoot accurately, I'm thinking of takeing it out for deer season this year. I'm trying a modified Lee 1 oz 12 ga slug now.

Here's a pic of my modified cases.

This is a modified 50BMG case then side view of pin next to 475long 1.6" and 454.


This is a lee 12ga 1oz slug loaded into a modified 12ga CBC case. It looks like the 50BMG will work much better as it needs the thicker case walls for everything to be happy.

Your trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear..Hell, I can see excess head space in the picture!!!!

What you have, my friend, is a very abused "Guarutcha" made in Brazil! It is not very old, just miss-used! The plastic grips are origenal, as well! I have one of these chambered for .22 lr. That is in mint as new condition, that I paid $29 for brand new, in the sixties! The only reason I have it is I collect anything that has more than one barrel, not because of any assumed quality!

Considering the "OFF FACE" condition, I don't believe I would risk shooting it!

Mac,

quote:

---

Originally posted by MacD37:
Considering the "OFF FACE" condition, I don't believe I would risk shooting it!

---

The thought never crossed my mind . As you did, I only bought it because it was a double and it was so cheap that I could not pass it up (I was probably the only idiot that would pay ANYTHING for it).

Thanks for the ID!!!! This board is certainly a wealth of information.

Jim