What is this oldtimer??

[fecmech]

A friend picked this up at a garage sale. There is no writing of any kind on the gun that we can see. Bore is rusty and rifling is just barely visible( he has not done any cleaning yet). After brushing out the end of the barrel with a .22 cal. brush I was able to insert a .284 pin gauge into the barrel, a .285 would not go. I tried to pin gauge the chamber but the hammer got in the way. Firing pin location indicates a rimfire. Checkering appears well done and butt plate seems somewhat decorative as is the trigger guard. Any ideas gents?

[NoAngel]

H. Piper

[tim338]

It is a Flobert rifle. Probably made in Belgium. Could be a 32 caliber rimfire.

[John Taylor]

3rd model Flobert. First model used the hammer as the breach block, very low powered cartridge. 2nd was sort of a rolling block.

[John Boy]

Flobert Rifles
by NRA Staff - Thursday, March 27, 2014
https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2014/3/27/flobert-rifles/

Mine is 22 Long and they are fun to shoot. Take it to the range and always a dozen questions about the rifle

[labradigger1]

Should have a number stamped on the breach, left side. Most have an 8 for 8mm/32 caliber.

[fecmech]

Thank you to all who responded. The knowledge available on this board has been a great asset to me.

[NoAngel]

Be careful with the hinge. My brother in law had two of these. One had no markings. The other said H.Piper

The hinge took the slightest little bump and broke the ear clean off. They’re thin and fragile.
Good luck!

[John Taylor]

Had one in a while back with a broken hinge/breach. Made a new one out of 4140 and a bitt heavier with larger screws. Also installed a liner so it would shoot better. The only thing I like about them is the fancy trigger guard.