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Unkown Cattle Killer - German ??

Posted: Sat 05 Nov 2011, 00:16
by signalman
This is an Unknown model of Cattle Killer. I believe it might be German.

It is interesting in that the hammer is hidden on one side, and exposed on the other side of the pistol.

Re: Unkown Cattle Killer - German ??

Posted: Mon 10 Jun 2019, 19:03
by Badger Jack
I am a little late to your post, but... better late than never!
Very interesting, cool thing, it is.
As to the hammer, made for left hand use?
Are there any markings anywhere on the frame, maybe under the grips?
Thanks!

Re: Unkown Cattle Killer - German ??

Posted: Tue 11 Jun 2019, 00:19
by signalman
Hello, no markings. grips make the gun ambidextrous. Hammer is easier to work with right hand.

Re: Unkown Cattle Killer - German ??

Posted: Sat 15 Jun 2019, 11:28
by AlanD
Vickers cattle killer.jpg
Similar in concept to the Vickers made cattle killer pistol.

Regards

AlanD
Sydney

Re: Unkown Cattle Killer - German ??

Posted: Mon 17 Jun 2019, 13:36
by signalman
Hello Alan,

What Identifies this as a Vickers, Is it marked in some way, or is it listed in a catalog ? ?

Re: Unkown Cattle Killer - German ??

Posted: Sun 23 Jun 2019, 07:11
by AlanD
Vickers Humane Logo.jpg
Hello

Yes made by Vickers for the RSPCA. I have seen another one in the Royal Armories collection in Leeds in the UL, that is in .455 with British ordnance markings, serial number 3617. However I would be surprised in Vickers ever made that many, I suspect they started there serial number range at 1001, or even higher. Collecting humane and cattle/horse killers makes an interesting diversion.
In the UK W.W. Greener had a lot of success with their .310 cattle killer and their .22 and .310 "Safti Killer" models.
Also, Webley had a go at this market with conversions of there single shot .22 target pistol and their .32 auto pistol. As well as this was the 600 odd Spearey .22 pistols using the frame of the Mk111 one inch brass signal pistol.
Another gun maker who seemed to have some sucssess in the 1920's and 1930's was the London gunmaker Stephen Grant maker of high class shotguns. He had a range of .380 and .450 humane killers some mounted on poles.
The bigest makers seem to have been Accles & Shelvoke and the "Cash" captive bolt pistols.
Cox and Temple Cox were in on this as well. I have seen a Cox pistol which was made by W. W. Greener in fact. Intriguingly, it was British ordnance marked.

Regards
Alan

Re: Unkown Cattle Killer - German ??

Posted: Sun 23 Jun 2019, 10:57
by signalman
Thank you. I have owned a good number of cattle killers over the years, and still have a few nice examples.