Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the unusual system known as the "PEPPERBOX". The muzzle is similar to the business end of a Pepper Pot of the the early days of Queen Victoria. All six barrels are contained in one solid "tube" of steel revolving as a unit. The system was quickly superseded with the design of the traditional revolver, using a rotating chamber and a single barrel in the 1840s. Pepper boxes as such were short lived with the possible exception in France and Belgium, where examples using the Pin Fire and Rimfire systems were made into the late 1870's.
Our example is marked J. R. COOPER / PATENT on the left side plate, for maker James Rock Cooper. He operated a shop in Birmingham, England from 1840 until 1853. The cylinder is marked six times, one for each barrel, with Crown / Crossed Scepter marks from the Birmingham Proof house. The entire frame is engraved with foliate designs, indicating it was an item of quality. The bag shaped wooden grips are in nice condition, and look to originally have been painted black, which has now partly worn away.
Unlike most pepperboxes we see, this one is an "underhammer" design, utilizing a ring trigger, which also serves as the sear. Unfortunately the action is worn, and while the revolver does cycle, it does not index properly or fire reliable. The sear is supposed to contact the frame at the end of the trigger pull, but due to wear it is not pushed out enough to release.
The Pepper box is exactly what a Victorian Gentleman might have concealed in his Coat pocket to deal with the then all too common Foot Pads and Brigands. Nicely engraved decoration, showing old pitting scars on the barrels and the trigger guard.
Ready to display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1843
Caliber: approx .39"
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 7 3/4 inches
Action: Double Only
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
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.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
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.
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