Would a trolley car conductor use a starter pistol?
January 8, 2006 6:03 PM Subscribe
Is this a starter pistol and if it is, why would a trolley car conductor use one?
After asking about a 100 yr old blanket, now I'm asking about an 80 yr old gun.
From a box of my grandfather's things I've found this gun. First, could this be a starter pistol? I've only seen those short square ones.
My family seems to agree: there was once a starter pistol floating around that belonged to my great grandfather and this may be it. He was a trolley car conductor in York, PA in the 1920s and 30s. These were electric trolley cars. Why would he have needed a starter pistol for this job?
My grandfather has Alzheimers and when we showed him a picture of an old trolley car he mentioned his dad and his starter pistol, but couldn't give any real information.
After asking about a 100 yr old blanket, now I'm asking about an 80 yr old gun.
From a box of my grandfather's things I've found this gun. First, could this be a starter pistol? I've only seen those short square ones.
My family seems to agree: there was once a starter pistol floating around that belonged to my great grandfather and this may be it. He was a trolley car conductor in York, PA in the 1920s and 30s. These were electric trolley cars. Why would he have needed a starter pistol for this job?
My grandfather has Alzheimers and when we showed him a picture of an old trolley car he mentioned his dad and his starter pistol, but couldn't give any real information.
I mean to say, I assume you would have mentioned if its barrel was solid. Also, I'm can't imagine why a starter's pistol would have a sight...
posted by nicwolff at 6:22 PM on January 8, 2006
posted by nicwolff at 6:22 PM on January 8, 2006
Response by poster: Sorry, barrel is not solid. It has six openings in it, but I don't know enough about guns to mean it's definitely for bullets.
posted by jdl at 6:35 PM on January 8, 2006
posted by jdl at 6:35 PM on January 8, 2006
I can't find any record of Iver Johnson making starter pistols. They definitely made allot of .32's and .38's with that frame though.
posted by paxton at 6:43 PM on January 8, 2006
posted by paxton at 6:43 PM on January 8, 2006
jdl, the barrel is the long tube at the end where the bullets come out - not the rotating part that the bullets are stored in.
Is the tube blocked?
posted by Dunwitty at 6:46 PM on January 8, 2006
Is the tube blocked?
posted by Dunwitty at 6:46 PM on January 8, 2006
I've handled a starter's pistol...somewhere around 1970...so guns back to the 50s...all have solid barrels.
posted by filmgeek at 6:58 PM on January 8, 2006
posted by filmgeek at 6:58 PM on January 8, 2006
Best answer: I doubt this is a starter's pistol, but some men told such stories to wives about their guns to minimize worry.
It's probably a .32 caliber hinged breech, single action revolver. Basically, an inexpensive, reliable personal weapon that might have been a reasonable defensive pocket gun for a trolleyman of that time, against belligerents and fare box robbers. Similar actions had been popular since the 1860's, when mass production and standardized metal cartridge ammunition made them cheap and practical.
A pin or lock up near the hammer releases the frame, which allows the front portion of the gun, including the barrel and the cylinder, to be opened, pivoting about 30 degrees around the obvious hinge pin in front of the revolving cylinders, under the barrel.
Some info and links about Ivers Johnson here.
posted by paulsc at 6:59 PM on January 8, 2006
It's probably a .32 caliber hinged breech, single action revolver. Basically, an inexpensive, reliable personal weapon that might have been a reasonable defensive pocket gun for a trolleyman of that time, against belligerents and fare box robbers. Similar actions had been popular since the 1860's, when mass production and standardized metal cartridge ammunition made them cheap and practical.
A pin or lock up near the hammer releases the frame, which allows the front portion of the gun, including the barrel and the cylinder, to be opened, pivoting about 30 degrees around the obvious hinge pin in front of the revolving cylinders, under the barrel.
Some info and links about Ivers Johnson here.
posted by paulsc at 6:59 PM on January 8, 2006
Response by poster: Thanks everyone.
And thanks for the explanation paulsc -- of why he may have had it. It makes perfect sense -- a real gun certainly would've helped more than a starter pistol.
Wow, I suddenly have a real gun.
posted by jdl at 8:06 PM on January 8, 2006
And thanks for the explanation paulsc -- of why he may have had it. It makes perfect sense -- a real gun certainly would've helped more than a starter pistol.
Wow, I suddenly have a real gun.
posted by jdl at 8:06 PM on January 8, 2006
Why would a trolleycar operator need one? To start the trolleycar races, of course.
posted by klangklangston at 8:15 PM on January 8, 2006
posted by klangklangston at 8:15 PM on January 8, 2006
Wow, I suddenly have a real gun.
Regarding that and making the assumption that you're not familiar with firearms, you're positive it's unloaded, right? If you're not, start assuming that it is right now.
If you don't have any friends who are into guns, you'll probably want to call a gun shop or the NRA to learn about legal and safety issues. If you choose to call a gun shop, which would probably be my first step, I'd recommend looking for one that specializes in firearms for hunters or collectors. They're much more friendly than those geared toward self-defense hobbyist or dipshits who want a cheap piece of crap so they can feel tough.
Most gun shops in the former category are pretty friendly places and will usually help out people with a sincere interest. The NRA also has excellent firearms safety classes (regardless of their political activities) and would probably be happy to either answer your questions or point you in the right direction.
posted by stet at 8:42 PM on January 8, 2006
Regarding that and making the assumption that you're not familiar with firearms, you're positive it's unloaded, right? If you're not, start assuming that it is right now.
If you don't have any friends who are into guns, you'll probably want to call a gun shop or the NRA to learn about legal and safety issues. If you choose to call a gun shop, which would probably be my first step, I'd recommend looking for one that specializes in firearms for hunters or collectors. They're much more friendly than those geared toward self-defense hobbyist or dipshits who want a cheap piece of crap so they can feel tough.
Most gun shops in the former category are pretty friendly places and will usually help out people with a sincere interest. The NRA also has excellent firearms safety classes (regardless of their political activities) and would probably be happy to either answer your questions or point you in the right direction.
posted by stet at 8:42 PM on January 8, 2006
What Stet means is that you should start assuming that it IS LOADED right now if you don't know enough to check. That means no pointing it at people (I'll repeat: no pointing it at people) or things you don't want shot. And that list of things that you don't want shot is pretty broad, believe you me.
Also, if it is loaded, it's probably got ancient-ass ammo in there, so be careful. It's liable to be more volatile than modern ammo (though, on the other hand, there's a better chance that it's dudded itself out by now).
posted by klangklangston at 11:00 PM on January 8, 2006
Also, if it is loaded, it's probably got ancient-ass ammo in there, so be careful. It's liable to be more volatile than modern ammo (though, on the other hand, there's a better chance that it's dudded itself out by now).
posted by klangklangston at 11:00 PM on January 8, 2006
It's liable to be more volatile than modern ammo (though, on the other hand, there's a better chance that it's dudded itself out by now).
Are you saying that it's more likely to fire if dropped than a gun loaded with fresh ammunition, but less likely to fire by pulling the trigger?
In any case, treat it as loaded. If you are uncomfortable having it, take it to the police. They will be happy to dispose of it.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:16 AM on January 9, 2006
Are you saying that it's more likely to fire if dropped than a gun loaded with fresh ammunition, but less likely to fire by pulling the trigger?
In any case, treat it as loaded. If you are uncomfortable having it, take it to the police. They will be happy to dispose of it.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:16 AM on January 9, 2006
Response by poster: I should've clarified -- I am absolutely certain it is not loaded. I opened it up and there are no bullets.
Also my dad is a retired cop. I haven't had a chance to show him the gun (hence the question here), but now that I know it's a real gun I'll be giving it to him.
Sorry, didn't mean to worry anyone. I should've said I was certain it is unloaded and that I'm ridiculously sensible and won't be doing any pointing of the gun (at anything).
posted by jdl at 5:05 AM on January 9, 2006
Also my dad is a retired cop. I haven't had a chance to show him the gun (hence the question here), but now that I know it's a real gun I'll be giving it to him.
Sorry, didn't mean to worry anyone. I should've said I was certain it is unloaded and that I'm ridiculously sensible and won't be doing any pointing of the gun (at anything).
posted by jdl at 5:05 AM on January 9, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by nicwolff at 6:17 PM on January 8, 2006