My sister in-law stopped at a yard sale in Albuquerque and bought a vintage woman's purse for one dollar. When she got home and examined her new purse a 1908 colt vest pocket pistol was found hidden inside.
Pistol dates to 1921, zero bluing on slide mostly brown rust patina. Rust spots on frame too, buffed a little with 0000 steel wool. Missing slide safty lever too. Not very useful but a pretty cool early striker design.
The grips are marked "Franzite" and are excellent shape for over 50 years old. Franzite grips were made and sold by Peter von Frantzius between 1930-1960. Before his grip co. Mr. Von was called by the media "The Armorer of Gangland" after Mr. Von got in a little hot water for being an alleged arms dealer to the Chicago underworld.

Wow, the stories that little gun could tell...

.25 ? .32 ? .44 ?

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
.25 ? .32 ? .44 ?

These were only offered in .25ACP.

Very cool bonus!

Sorry should have included caliber, but it's a .25 auto, blowback striker pistol. Except barrel is not pressed in, the barrel is held to frame with locking lugs. Also has grip safety, a magazine disconnect safety, slide lock safety but only stop trigger nothing to block striker.
Made from 1908-1948.

Has your SIL made any attempt to return the pistol yet?

quote:

Originally posted by az4783054:
Wow, the stories that little gun could tell...

It sat in a purse for decades and never once fired. Probably.

I assume the general laws on transfer of handguns/firearms in a given jurisdiction apply, even if one is gifted/finds a pistol?

quote:

Originally posted by GaryBF:
Has your SIL made any attempt to return the pistol yet?

That took longer than I expected. Here we go...

quote:

Originally posted by joel9507:
I assume the general laws on transfer of handguns/firearms in a given jurisdiction apply, even if one is gifted/finds a pistol?

No such commie laws in NM that I'm aware of...for NOW. There is no registration.

quote:

Originally posted by GaryBF:
Has your SIL made any attempt to return the pistol yet?

................................................
NO, my question too. I know if it was one of my relatives gun I'd want it back. Besides that SIL doesn't own or like guns.

quote:

No such commie laws in NM that I'm aware of...for NOW.

Are there no ethics in NM? What about Federal law?

^^^^^

Yeesh. Its a private sale. Are there members on SF that WANT the GDCs lording it over us?

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
No such commie laws in NM that I'm aware of...for NOW. There is no registration.

Strictly speaking, under PA law the OP's SIL would be in illegal possession of a handgun. Even though there is no firearms registration in PA per se, all handgun transfers (with the exception of those between spouses and lineal heirs) must be processed through an FFL dealer. The PA State Police maintains a Sales Record for each handgun transfer - which amounts to de facto registration. I'm not 100% certain the age of the database, though I suspect it coincides with the GCA68 which mandated the FFL system. Of course in this scenario, given the age of the pistol, it is most unlikely any record of sale exists.

Keep it.

In the words of the late linguist/Democratic Senator from California (San Francisco), S. I. Hayakawa: "It's ours. We stole it fair and square."

In today's society, if it's returned it's just as likely to end up in a gun buyback program to be melted down

In addition, it could be a cold case murder weapon and you end up being the prime suspect. Another quote comes to mind...something about sleeping dogs.

greymann,

Both Numrich and Jack First have parts if you care to fully restore the piece.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/g...t-25-auto-hammerless

https://jack-first-gun-parts.m...hammerless-25-pistol

New Mexico allows private sales without the use of FFl or background check, at least until July first. A FFL holder different story.
........................................
Thanks bald1 for the link

quote:

Originally posted by GaryBF:

Are there no ethics in NM?

WTF are you talking about?

They bought a purse and the contents of such purse.

IMO this is no different had that been an old stick of gum found inside of it.

I think there was a legitimate ethical question here. At least ask the seller if they want it back might be appropriate. Chances are they wouldn't because the weapon was all but forgotten but it may have value to the rightful owner. In some states it may be considered theft.

What if it had there been a diamond wedding ring, or a large amount of cash?

quote:

Originally posted by az4783054:
What if it had there been a diamond wedding ring, or a large amount of cash?

There was an article recently about someone buying a statue for $100 at a garage sale. The statue ended up selling at auction for $2.1M. Should the person have returned the statue?

If it had been that important to the seller, they would have looked inside the purse. For all we know the seller of the purse wasn't the original owner. They may have picked it up at a flea market or garage sale.

If it was me I think I would look into the cost of restoring the pistol. A flat bluing (as opposed to high polish) and some new grips and it could be a nice little pistol.