Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice .22 Rimfire pocket revolver, which we believe was made early in the career of Irish immigrant James Reid, who arrived in New York City in 1865 from BELFAST in Northern Ireland. Shortly afterwards, for health reasons he moved to the Catskill Mountains in New York State and set up his own manufacturing operation, mostly known for the "MY FRIEND" pocket revolver and knuckle duster. He may have also been involved with W. Irving and other New York gunmakers for a time.
The design of this revolver is relatively simple, taking cues from the Smith & Wesson shape, and is fitted with the popular "spur trigger" of the time. In .22 rimfire (Most likely short), it features a 7 round cylinder, 3 1/4 inch barrel, and measures 7 1/8 inches in overall length. The top of the barrel still bears the correct two line address:
J. REID. NEW. YORK.
The revolver presents very nicely, but definitely shows modifications done after manufacture, as well as some damage. As such we are offering it in "As Found" condition, without any restoration attempted. The brass loading gate that would normally be on the right hand side behind the cylinder looks to have broken off, and there also looks to have been something on the bottom of the barrel, maybe an ejector or something else, but now only a nickel insert is present.
Overall it has an oxidized patina, and there may be more components missing. There is unfortunately a dearth of information regarding Reid's output besides the "My Friend" series, and we believe this may be a No.1 revolver. The revolver does cycle, but the cylinder does not lock up at all. We checked the bore, and it actually still does show very good rifling. The grips are definitely worn, and there is a large chunk missing from the left side, with another part cracked as well.
A do it yourself restoration project, dating to the 1870's. Ready to restore or display as is!
Specifications:
Years of Manufacture: 1870s
Caliber: .22 short.
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 7 1/8 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 7 Shot Revolver
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is not available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.
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