small pistol

Question
QUESTION: I have a pistol with 4 barrels - one on top of the other with the initials AM on the handle. It is approximately 4" x 4". I think it is foreign made.The only other information on the pistol is a number 1619 also one firing pin is used to fire each barrel vertically. Can you tell me anything about this.  Thank you Joe

ANSWER: Joe,

I did some research and can't find much that matches the pistol you have.  Is there any marking that identifies the manufacturer?  

Thanks,

Doug



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Doug - after examing the gun again, I found another marking which is a capital "N" with a king's crown above it. Also, the AM on the handle, is very significant. Is there a manufacturer with initals AM? Thanks, Joe

Answer
Hi Joe,

I think I may have found some more info.  There was a pistol made in Germany called the "Reform Pistol" by a manufacturer called Brevete.  The vertically stacked barrels were available in .25 and .32 caliber and the way the gun worked was after each trigger pull, the barrels would move up and allow the next barrel to be fired.  If this is what you have it is a very unusual gun.

Take a look at this link and see if this is the gun you have....

http://usgunexchange.com/products.cfm?tbl=21&id=532

Best regards,

Doug



Joe,

Thanks very much for the follow up. Frankly, I am stumped on this one.  The "Crown over N" is a German proof mark.  Proof marks are the stamps from the commercial testing facility that approve the gun for sale.  The fact that it has that particular mark is generally indicative of a pre WWII manufacture.  Probably early to mid 1930s.  I have looked high and low for a manufacturer with the mark "AM".  I looked in what is generally considered to be 'the bible' for firearms, "The Blue Book of Gun Values".  It is a very complete listing of firearms including antiques and small manufacturers.  I went through the entire list for "A" and also for "M" since it would be reasonable to check both due the nature of European naming conventions.  Still, most manufacturers stamp their name and place of manufacture on the barrel, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

I will continue to do a little looking around and send you a follow up if I find anything.  I'm sorry I can't be more helpful...looks like you 'stumped the expert'.

All the best,

Doug