I need some help from someone who knows old pistols.

I was doing a little photo restoration on a picture of my Great Grandfather (mom’s side) and noticed something odd about a pistol he’s wearing. It appears to have two triggers. Not to mention the bullets on the belt look rather odd as well. More like big nails, than bullets. He was the Sheriff of La Plata County Colorado in the early twenties. That’s about the time of the photo. Here’s the picture (pre-restoration) and a couple of close-ups of the pistol. It sure looks like two triggers to me. That, or a rather odd trigger guard. I have shotguns with two triggers. Old Sharps rifles with two triggers. But I’ve never seen what appears to be a pistol with two triggers. Any idea on what type of pistol this could be? Or is?

Thanks -

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It looks to me like the second curve is really the back band of the trigger guard. The rounds look like the 38sw.





The grip looks like the old Hopkins and Allen police specials...



It also looks like he's pulled the rounds up almost out of their leather sleeves....maybe for faster reloading?....

As far as I can tell, it looks like it has the H&A folding hammer too.

I agree. It appears to connect to the guard. Perhaps the assembly swings down to expose the cylinder or pack the ball (as appropriate). I have no idea what kind of gun that is.

The upper part of the grip frame and medallion makes me think that's a S&W Hand Ejector and the cartridges look like it was chambered for .32-20. FWIW, this model was manufactured between 1915 and 1940 and widely used in law enforcement. The 'double trigger' is really just the back of the trigger guard.

Like this one, a Hand Ejector in .32-20:

Attached Thumbnails

   

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Have to agree, it looks like an early double action revolver. I believe the lighting is making the rear of the trigger guard appear to be a second trigger. As Randy stated, the shape of the grip sure looks like an early S&W.

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Mike Tangas
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Dunno about the gun but the owner looks like a serious gentleman.

just-n-time here,the view of this set of pics shows it in a very convincing way,the holster surrounds the trigger gard and you are only seeing part of the gard and the trigger,the light has cast a shadow and gives the impression you see. This is a s/w of 32-20 size,every other round was lifted in-case of the need for reload in battle,just one of the ways our ancestor's survived the in their chosen profession.member of sass.