Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a truly lovely example of the unusual system known as the "PEPPERBOX". They were so named because the muzzle is similar in appearance to the business end of a Pepper Pot from the the early days of Queen Victoria: a circle of round holes. All six barrels are contained in one solid "tube" or cylinder 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 The system was quickly superseded with the design of the traditional revolver, using a rotating chamber and a single barrel in the 1840-1850s. 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 a somewhat unusual design, and does not have any maker or other markings except for an O on the muzzle. The design is nearly identical to those made in England under the patent held by J.R. Cooper, however we feel that this was made in the Europe as a "Clone" of the design. John Rock Cooper patented this design in 1843, and remained in business until 1853. The patent was apparently for the UNDERHAMMER firing mechanism, which is linked directly to the ring trigger. Most other pepperboxes use a hammer that strikes a cap nipple cone on the side of the cylinder, but these have the nipples on the rear. There are some other underhammer designs, but these usually use two triggers.
The complete lack of identifiable markings would have made it impossible for any possible patent litigation to be delivered, and it was virtually impossible to retail a gun in England without proof marks, so this definitely looks to be a very high quality European clone, possibly made in Belgium or one of the German states. It features an engraved steel frame, probably original case hardened, with a blued cylinder assembly that has love machined straps between each barrel. There is additional engraving around the frame of the grip, and it is fitted with fantastic "German Silver" grip scales, which have the same engraved motif as the rest of the gun, so they are definitely original. This is definitely a high quality upmarket example.
We tested the action, and it functions beautifully, and does not appear to have any issues with indexing or cycling. The pistol has a lovely patina of age, still showing a good amount of bluing on the cylinder and left side of the frame, while the right side shows more wear. The grips are lovely, with a mellow patina that only German Silver gets.
To make this offering even better, it came to us with a fantastic custom wood case, which measures approximately 9" x 6 ¾" x 2 ½", and has different compartments inside, all red velvet lined. These are for various accessories one might use with the pistol, including a bullet mold with inlets for round and oval bullets, a small powder flask, some spare round bullets, a ramrod / cleaning rod, and even a small case of used caps. The case is lovely, and actually still has a functional lock in the front, along with the key to use it! We almost never see these with functional locks. It shows wear to the interior, and definitely has held the pistol for quite some time!
The Pepper box is exactly what a Riverboat Gambler might have concealed in his Coat pocket to deal with people angry at his "luck" at the tables. Nicely engraved decoration, and a fantastic look.
A lovely example with a great patina and custom wood case, ready to research and display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1845
Caliber: approx .31" smoothbore
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 3 ½ inches
Overall Length: 7 ¼ 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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