Original European Continental Double Barrel Percussion Overcoat Pistol – Circa 1840 Original Items

Original Items: Only One Available. Produced mostly in Belgium, pistols like this were a LIFE SAVER: a small Double Barrel percussion cap pocket pistol that could easily carried in a coat pocket. In the dank times of Dickensian London and Paris and New York for that matter CRIME was rife! Foot pads and thugs were everywhere.

These small, then inexpensive pistols were the rage for self protection. Shipped over to the United States in great quantities who knows how many lives were saved or taken. 3 1/4 inch octagonal barrels with two triggers, each discharging the barrel on its own side. The grip is bulbous wood and there is a substantial trigger guard to prevent the pistol discharging while being transported in a coat pocket.

The only marking is found on the bottom of the trigger guard:

A.V. & G.S.

We do not know if this is a maker mark, or maybe the name of a retailer. It could personalized, but that seems odd for there to be two sets of initials. A much needed tool of destruction not an item of extreme beauty. Hundreds of these were imported into the United States and were favorites of Gamblers and River Boat travelers. Condition is nice, and the pistol functions, though the left lock does not hold at half cock.

Ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1840
Caliber: .43 inches
Ammunition Type: cap and ball
Overall Length: 8 inches
Barrel Length: 3 1/4 inches
Action: Percussion Box Lock
Feed System: Single Shot – 2 Barrels

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.