Rare Siamese Thai “Type 66” 8x52mmR Single-Shot Mystery Pistol, 1920s C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,175.00

LSB#: LSB250924MG005

Make: Siamese

Model: Actual designation unknown, referred to as “Type 66” on observed examples.

Serial#: Siamese designation “5”, marked “777” on butt in Arabic numerals.

Year of Manufacture: If the “Type 66” designation is correct, it would indicate production ca. 1923. The arabic “5” stamped on the frame under the grip indicates production or re-marking post-1940. The lack of import marks indicates production prior to 1968, C&R eligible.

Caliber: 8x52mmR, NOT FOR USE WITH STANDARD RIFLE CARTRIDGE (see Our Assessment)

Action Type: Top-Break, Single-Shot Pistol

Barrel Length: 10 5/8”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade integral to a base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood, each with the Siamese numeral “5” stamped on the interior. The grips have even light wear with some scattered nicks and scuffing. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original, numbers match (see Our Assessment)

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling ranges from well defined to worn, but visible. There is scattered light erosion in the bore with tool marks toward the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5+/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout with some scattered minor marks and edge-thinning. There is infrequent faint oxidation, mostly in the grip areas. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The firing pin protrudes slightly when the hammer is down (even after rebounding). Otherwise, the action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: As far as obscure firearms go, this one is up there. Anyone out there with more information is humbly requested to reach out to us, but we have been able to learn a little bit. The chakra symbol on the right of the barrel indicates that this was produced for the Siamese military and chamber dimensions are consistent with their 8x52mmR cartridge, though the mechanism is not suitable for use with a standard rifle loading. It may be intended for use with the gallery loading of the cartridge, but this has not been confirmed. Examples are displayed in Thai museums, designated as a “Type 66”, but this has also not been confirmed to be correct. If it is, the designation would indicate adoption in 1923, but the mysteries do not end there. The barrel is marked with the serial number “5” in Thai, but under the grips the frame is marked with the standard numeral “5”, which would be incongruous until about 1940. Some examples have the standard numeral marked on the interior of the grips, but this one has grips marked with the Thai numeral. Examples here in the United States have been observed with other numbers marked on the bottom of the frame, this one marked “777”, but the numbers do not appear to be sequential, rather arbitrary, all being palindromic. Observed examples display dimensional variations which likely rule out large-scale production and the highest Thai serial number observed is 48, so they may have been produced individually. The purpose for the pistols is unknown, as better handgun options were certainly available, even in the 1920s, and the low powered cartridge doesn’t make much sense for such a large pistol.

In any case, they are quite scarce, with as few as ten known to be here in the United States and as few as fifty made in total. The origin and mystery of the pistol makes it suitable for most any collection, but especially one focused on rare or strange firearms. Any more information brought to us before the close of the auction will be added to the listing, so don’t be shy. Please see our photos and good luck!

-Bud