need help with mystery revolver

[ddeanjohnson]

Greetings,

I am a small-time gun accumulator who lately has developed an interest in old German target pistols. I have acquired a couple and I have my eye on a couple more. But my ignorance is so vast that much of the time, I have no clear idea exactly what I am looking at. I discovered this forum and signed up, in the hope that some of you can help me, at least in identifying some of these guns. So here goes. For starters, I will post a photo of a revolver in which I have an interest. The current owner tells me that it is .32 caliber, which I think means the old ".32 revolver cartridge," and that it has a "double-crown-U" proof mark. Can anybody tell me who made this gun, and approximately when? Any other info would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

D. Dean Johnson

[Axel E]

The revolver appears to be an "Arminius #5", made by Friedrich Pickert, Katzenbuckel 6, Zella-Mehlis, during the 1920s and 30s. You will have to check the chambering. These guns were made not only chambered for the .320 Revolver = .32 Short Colt, but also for 7.65 Browning = .32 ACP, 7.62 Russian Nagant, 7.5 Swiss, 8mm Lebel revolver and possibly others. During WW2 Pickert made parts for Walther pistols. The company was closed by the Soviets in 1946. Postwar, Weihrauch in Mellrichstadt took over Pickert's "Arminius" trademark for their revolvers.

[ddeanjohnson]

Thank you, that is extremely helpful! Can you suggest any reference book or website where I could find that model pictured and/or discussed?

I don't have the gun in hand -- I am thinking about buying it. The current owner seems pretty sure it is .32 caliber, although he has not fired it. The length of the chamber is 2.9 cm (1.2 inches) -- suggesting, I thought, the ".32 revolver" (= .32 Short Colt) was the intended cartridge?

Any idea on how to determine the value? Supposedly the gun is fully functional in both single and double action. There is some pitting on the cylinder, as you can see in the photo.

[Axel E]

Thank you, that is extremely helpful! Can you suggest any reference book or website where I could find that model pictured and/or discussed?
.

Sorry, I know of no reference book on these German handguns and you have already found the only website that cares about such German guns, at least AFAIK. I don't know a photo of exactly such a revolver, but the frame design is typically "Pickert Arminius", like their usual pocket revolvers, and a "larger model #5" with the various chamberings is mentioned in old German literature.