Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely Victorian Era British Vest Pocket Percussion pistol, 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 pistol measures 7 1/2 inches in overall length, featuring a 3 inch "turn off" .45" caliber barrel, which made re-loading and cleaning the pistol a much easier process. Unlike most that we have seen, the screw joint is actually still free, and the barrel can easily be removed! The underside of the barrel is marked with the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "black powder proof" marking from from the city of Birmingham, England. The bottom of the frame is also marked with the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" mark. These are the style of markings in use until 1855.

The pistol follows the classic style, and is fitted with a very nice checkered "bag" shaped curved grip, which is in great shape. There is a rectangular shaped escutcheon on the back of the grip, and the checkering is very well retained. The metalwork of the pistol sill shows a good amount of the original "case hardened" finish, with no evidence of major oxidation or damage.

It has 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 lock is fully functional, holding at half-cock and firing at full. The folding trigger folds out at full cock, and must be manually returned to the closed position after firing. The only real issue we noted is that a portion on the front of the "cup" on the end of the hammer has cracked off.

A really nice mid 19th Century British vest pocket percussion pistol, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1845
Bore Diameter: .45" pistol
Ammunition Type: Cap & Ball
Barrel Length: 3 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.