In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Domino Italian starter gun

mindymindy Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
edited December 2009 in Ask the Experts
My husband just bought a 6 mm starter gun at an auction. It is imprinted with "Domino 330" and "SGS" on the left side, and "Made in Italy" and "CAL 6 mm" on the right side.
It has a plastic grip and holds eight 6mm crimped blanks. The barrel drops forward to load. It came in a simple black leather holster that looks new.

That's all I know about it. I haven't found anything else online to learn more about this little gun or its value. Can you help?
When and where (town?) was it manufactured? How rare or common is it? and What is it worth?

Thanks!
Mindy
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Never heard of it before, but that doesn't mean anything. There are hundreds of small firearms (& almost-firearms) factories in Italy; they use many names.

    You KNOW the value; it's whatever your husband paid, maybe a lot more. You need to have faith in his judgement.

    Neal
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mindymindy Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hi Neal:
    Thanks for your reply. First let me say that I found your answer mildly offensive and patronizing.
    I trust my husband's judgment completely, as I trust him with my heart and my life. Next, let me advise you not to rush to judge women. Not all are as obtuse, sneaky or untrusting as your sad answer seems to imply.
    My husband is the one who asked me to see what I could find out. You see, he trusts my judgment as much as I trust his.

    I know a little about guns. My late husband was a collector, and he taught me. I have shot about everything except large automatic weapons. My favorite when I had a concealed carry permit in another state was the 22 Magnum, a light-weight gun with a decent wallop and accuracy. Good for self-protection.

    Now, back to the subject at hand - the starter gun: I don't know a thing about them.

    We only know that the crowd at the auction where he got the little gun wasn't full of dog or horse trainers, or gun enthusiasts, the people who typically would purchase a starter gun. So we got it at a very low price.

    We are considering holding onto it for family or church gatherings. My husband is a pastor, and it might be fun to start the races with a bang.
    On the other hand, we could use the money more than we need a seldom-used toy.

    So we still would like some idea what these little guns normally run second-hand. A local gun dealer who I called suggested I try this forum and to let him know if it was helpful or not.

    From what I've seen online and learned from the gun dealer I called, prices range from just a few dollars to quite a few dollars. But he didn't have any 6 mms and I wasn't able to find a comparabe 6 mm online, just 22s. That's not good enough when it comes to pricing the gun to sell it.
    If anyone else can shed more light onto this subject, I welcome your input.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    most starter pistols were made very cheaply on top of this as you found out the 6MM blanks are not easy to find so what you have is a cheap starter pistol, that will not go bang to start the races IMHO not worth much. if anything more then a paper weight. Sorry if this may offend you or the person that purchased it. Most likely that is why everyone but your husband thought it was worth less then what he paid for it . Value was determined at the auction to ONE person.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,437 ******
    edited November -1
    Value at an auction is what a bidder is willing to pay. No more, no less. I fail to see how Neal's response was at all patronizing. Offended much?

    Aside from that, as was stated, the Italians are prolific in the mfg. of various firearms of varying quality. Do you have a picture of the starter pistol to share? Most folks concerned with these forums like to have bullets exit the bbl, so it would seem of little value to anyone here aside from whatever collector value it may have as starter pistols can be had fairly cheaply from a number of local outfitters, if one needed one for that purpose.

    Collector value is conditioned largely upon condition. Without a picture it would be nearly impossible to ascribe value to it other than what you paid.

    Edit: Domino IGI was bought out by FAS in the 1990's if that helps. They primarily make (made) high end target pistols, but the value of those would likely have little if any bearing on a starter bearing its likeness.
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Spider7115Spider7115 Member Posts: 29,704 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There's very little collector demand for starter pistols and .22 caliber is the most popular due to the availability of blank cartridges. For example, here's a vintage 1960's start pistol still brand new in the box with a free holster for $19.99:

    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=149270564
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BigLoop22BigLoop22 Member Posts: 620 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mindy,

    I never heard of it, either.

    Does it look like a semiauto pistol, or a revolver? Here is a breaktop revolver 6mm starter gun, with holster:

    http://v2.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=149908080

    Is yours like that one?

    There are many variations of designs, and many makers & importers of these things. Pictures will greatly help to identify it. Good luck![:)]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GrasshopperGrasshopper Member Posts: 17,042 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    10-15 dollars,,offensive or not. thats about it//
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mindy, I apologize for my initial answer. It was patronizing. From the sketchy information you gave, I jumped to the conclusion that you were just trying to prove to your husband that he had overpaid for a toy. I now understand from the additional information you gave us that you have given this a lot of thought, & I believe that the others have given you a lot of good information.

    You are correct, some starter guns bring more money than others. This Harrington & Richardson recently sold for $32:
    HRblank1.jpg
    But, it was made in the US, & has appeal to Harrington & Richardson collectors. In like new condition, it could have brought $100.

    Many inexpensive starter guns were sold in the '40's & 50's, through hardware stores & ads in magazines. Young boys (who couldn't buy real guns) found them fascinating & easy to buy. Many adults bought them for self-defense, hoping the "bang" would scare off robbers --- not a good idea today.

    While at this point it may appear that your husband wasted his money, the auction side of this forum may be a good way to recoup his expense. There always seem to be a few folks out there who are willing to spend good money for things we think are worthless.

    Neal
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mindymindy Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for everyone for your replies. You've all been very helpful.

    And a special thanks to you, Neal, for your gracious message. We all jump to incorrect conclusions from time to time.

    BigLoop22, it's a revolver, almost identical to yours.

    I would be happy to post a photo of it, but I don't see that option here. Any hints, guys?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Spider7115Spider7115 Member Posts: 29,704 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mindy
    Thanks for everyone for your replies. You've all been very helpful.

    And a special thanks to you, Neal, for your gracious message. We all jump to incorrect conclusions from time to time.

    BigLoop22, it's a revolver, almost identical to yours.

    I would be happy to post a photo of it, but I don't see that option here. Any hints, guys?



    Right at the top of this forum is a "sticky" that tells you how to post photos.

    Here's a link: http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294

    As posts are locked after 10 replies (also a "sticky" at the top of this forum), you may have to start a new thread.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.