Identifying a 22 pistol

[Heavyhaul]

My buddy wanted me to check my Numeric book for parts on his pistol, I can't even find the gun, or anything like it.  Anyway the barrel is loose in the frame and his son told him that the pin that goes through the frame is in two pcs.  I will try to post pics later.  On the left side of the frame an inlay Says ""Arminius" and has a side profile of a man w/ a beard and a winged had.  The crain has "HW7T" on the exposed surface and the serial number on the top, not exposed.  The right side says the it was made in Germany.  It has other markings, I'll try to get pics.  I believe he said that he bought the gun in the mid 70's.  Thanks.

[gunnut69]

The Armimius brand has a pretty poor reputation. They were cheaply made and usually of poor material.. You might give the parts dealers(GunParts, Sarco, etc.) a call and ask about parts. They sometimes have a few parts but not enough to justify the space in the catalog. This happens fairly often with cheaper firearms..

[Heavyhaul]

Thanks gunnut.  I figured that it was a pretty cheap gun.  I'm no gun expert, but I have never seen anything like it.  The barrel is really loose.  I personaly don't think the pin is the only problem.  I will recomend he see a gunsmith.  Could something like this be silver soldered?  I know to respect the power of any firearm, but it is only a .22.

[gunnut69]

I'm unsure of the pin you are referencing,, The center pin is the pin the cylionder rotates around or the pin used to retain the barrel.. Really neither should make the barrel loose unless there was another problem.. This is likely one of those times when a visit to the local smith is in order.. As a rule silver soldering a barrel in is not a good deal on a revolver..

[Keith L]

Another thought is how much do you want to spend on this pistol?  Unless it has some other value to you it doesn't take long to exceed an inexpensive guns worth with Smith time.

[Heavyhaul]

The pin that I was referring to goes throught the frame at the top edge of the barrel.  I have taken anything apart, but it appears that it is used to hold the barrel on, and the frame shold be a tight fit to hold the barrel tight.  I think that he just wanted to have this around for plinking and doesn't want to spend a bunch of money.  I don't think that it is unsafe to shoot, right now, but I am curious as to the cause.  I guess that I will point him to a smith.  Thanks.

[gunnut69]

Is the barrel threaded into the frame? The pin on most revolvers is simply to prevent the barrel loosening. I've not seen an Armenius so can't say for certain but a pinned in barrel on a revolver would be unusual.. The problem with a loose barrel is it's lack of alignment with the chambers at the moment of firing. Not only would accuracy suffer but lead spitting to the sides would be dangerous..

[trotterlg]

If the pin is in two pieces then it is most likely broken.  At the very least I would punch out the broken pin and take the barrel out and look it over.  If the frame is not cracked causing the barrel to be loose you may be able to just put a little sleeve retining locktight on it and then drive in a new pin.  Please don't stand next to me at the range.  Larry