Original Items: Only One Pair Available. This is a lovely matched pair of Victorian Era British Vest Pocket Percussion pistols, completely unmarked on the "box lock" style frame, but definitely of very high quality, with lovely engraving on all sides of the frame. These were quite popular for self-protection, and were easily concealable in a vest pocket. Pistols like this were equally at home on dark Streets of New York or of London in Victorian England. We assume it was bespoke, or possibly made unmarked for a retailer.

The pistols measure 7 1/2 inches in overall length, featuring a 2 7/8 inch "turn off" .49" caliber barrels, which made re-loading and cleaning the pistol a much easier process. As with most we see, the barrel joints are unfortunately seized with oxidation and fouling. The right sides of both frames are marked with the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "black powder proof" marking from from the city of Birmingham, England, while the right sides are marked with the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" mark. These are the style of markings in use until 1855. Both are also marked with number 36 on the bottom front of the frame by the barrel joint, probably a matching number.

The pistols follow the classic style, and are fitted with a very nice checkered flat bottom curved grips, which are great shape. The bottoms of the grips are fitted with silver, with some small escutcheons on the undersides, while the rear of both grips are fitted with silver diamond escutcheons. The metalwork of the pistols show a lovely bright steel patina, with some spots of oxidation and past peppering, now cleaned away.

They have some lovely features that make it very useful as a vest pocket pistol, including trigger that only folds out when the pistol is fully cocked, which prevents it from getting caught on the clothing. The locks are both functional, however one of the pistols does not hold at half cock, while the other does. We can also see some slots behind both hammers, so we assume these originally had some type of half-cock safety, which was later removed.

A lovely pair of mid 19th Century British vest pocket percussion pistols, ready to research and display!

Specifications (Both):-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1845
Bore Diameter: .49" pistol
Ammunition Type: Cap & Ball
Barrel Length: 2 7/8 inches
Overall Length: 7 1/2 inches
Action: Top-Action "Box-Lock"
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.