Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a genuine Victorian era high quality English felted beaver fur top hat in its original leather carry case named to the original owner. The hat contains a secured inner compartment for tiny silver mounted single shot screw barrel percussion pocket pistol with fold away trigger. This pistol is marked on the one inch long octagonal barrel C. LANCASTER for the famous London gunsmith Charles Lancaster and dates to the early Victorian era. The pistol is concealed inside a custom recessed compartment and held securely in place by a wood latch then covered by a black velvet cushion which makes the inside upper of the hat appear to have a lining. When the cushion is in place the pistol is invisible.
The concept is shear genius. Just what one needed on a Victorian night out in the city. Nicely concealed when visiting friends but easy to access when encountering the Villains stalking the Streets of Victorian London!