Value and other Casull Improved mini revolvers?

[His lordship.]

I have a nice Casull's improvement Freedom Arms revolver in .22 LR.  I have only seen one other of the same type in decades of going to gunshows and gunshops.  I bought the gun new in 1984 and it is a small framed (very small) .22 LR five shot stainless steel gun, single action.  It was carried, but kept in a wool half sock and well oiled, so it is in like-new condition.  It is similar to the NAA mini revolver.

The problem with the gun is you have to carry it with the hammer on an empty cylinder for safety, making it a 4 shooter.  The stainless steel might be soft (stainless was not very durable for guns in the early 80's) as there is a small indentation on the hammer face from hitting the firing pin, despite limited use.  I would shoot it once every 2-3 years, putting around 15 rounds through it per visit, on average.

I thought it would be worth alot of money over time but the other one I saw was only going for $140.00, but that was 20 years ago. 

I checked some of the online gun auctions and man, there are some rare Casull guns fetching big bucks out there.  A rare Casull model CA-2000 was going for $850.00 and a rifle for $15,000.00.

Was thinking of selling it as my new NAA mini revolver holds 5 shots of .22 mag. more safely.  Does anyone else have a gun like this?

[stevejr454]

Chris, I have a few pictures that are posted with some full size Freedom Arms guns that I have. They are under Eye candy on this web sight. They are very rare because of finishes, and belt buckles.

Buckles are what sell the mini guns. If yours has an inch and a quarter barrel it will fit in a buckle. I am guessing you might get lucky and sell it for around $250.00. They seem to be hard to move on the Internet, but will sell at gun shows.

Hope the info, and the pictures help Stevejr454

[Ken ONeill]

The last one I saw, about 2 (perhaps three) years ago was offered to me, complete with buckle and soft case for $175. I foolishly failed to buy it, and have regretted it since.

[texbestshooter]

Has anyone had any experience on what the mini bootgun that I have might be worth? AJ

[992]

I bought my Dad one of the 3 inch barrel models in 1982.He was doing something outside when he placed in in his shirtpocket for
some reason known only to him
When he got his glasses out of the case and put them on,he stuck the case for his glasses in his shirtpocket,the same place he had the pistol.
The pistol fired as he was looking down at his shirt pocket,killing him.
A careless accident.

992

[His lordship.]

992...sorry to hear about your dad going that way.  That is why I always carried my mini-revolver with the hammer on an empty chamber.  I did buy a new NAA mini-revolver to replace the Freedom arms gun as it can safely carry all  5 cylinders full.  I plan to keep the Freedom arms gun for memories and it can still work, but only with 4 cylinders loaded.

I went to my local library and they had a book showing the value of the Freedom Arms mini-revolvers.  The gun is only worth around $125.00 to $180.00.  Obviously it did not go up in value since I bought it in the early 80's.

[MarkH]

you will get a good idea of current market prices by searching for such guns on gunbroker.

[dbriannelson]

Sort of an old thread, but I made this photograph last weekend and didn't know where else to post it.  I swapped a full-engraved prototype NAA .22 short mini for this one back in the '80s.  It's a FA 4-shot .22LR/.22WMR convertible boot gun and has the little yellow bag for the unused cylinder and the brown zipper bag for the lot.  I made a bit of money ($10 at a time) at the local police range shooting this (2-handed) 25 yard slowfire.  Ahem...back when I could see and still shoot pretty well.



I made the grips of a mesquite burl found loose on a burned-over mesa, using the ferrule from the ugly plastic oversized ones that came with it.

It's ridden in my pocket enough to be sorta scratched up now, and has sat in the safe long enough to have flecks of rust here and there, but it's still a finely made little revolver and a piece of my own history, so I'll keep it.

-Don

P.S.  Shoot.  I just found the "Eye Candy" thread.  Sorry about that.