Original French 7mm Pinfire Engraved Pocket Pepperbox Revolver in Leather Case Named to Miss Bessie Colvin of El Paso, Texas – circa 1875-1885 Original Items

Original item. One of a Kind. This is an excellent condition French Pinfire Pocket Pepperbox revolver, in the relatively small 7mm pinfire cartridge. Made around 1855-1865, these were principally supplied to the Parisian Market from where many were shipped to the United States before and after the Civil War. Intended for personal protection, the revolver has a folding trigger for easy concealment. These were particularly popular among “Ladies of the Night”, as they were small but packed enough of a punch to deter would be attackers.

The Pinfire system was the earliest form of “Cartridge” developed with a pin projecting out at 90 degrees to the cartridge case. When depressed by the falling hammer the cartridge discharged. At the time up against muzzle loading Revolvers these were revolutionary. Like most things by the end of the Civil War technology had moved on and in the late 1860’s regular type cartridges as we know them today had been introduced.

This revolver is definitely a very nice example, nickel plated with lovely engraving on much of the revolver, with lovely wood grips. It comes in a fantastic leather covered case, which is lined on the inside with chamois and satin. While the inside is nice, it’s the small silver plaque on the outside that really sets this offering apart. It reads:

MISS
BESSIE COLVIN
EL PASO

Miss Bessie Colvin was a “Hooker” but she also was a great “Looker”, as can be seen just by entering her name on the Internet. She worked for an El Paso Madam named “Big Alice Abbott”, but Bessie transferred her employment to another Madam just across the Street in El Paso named Etta Clark, who ran a somewhat higher grade establishment. Big Alice took real exception to this and stormed into Etta’s place causing a riot. The result was Big Alice being shot in the private parts, which was incorrectly reported in the following days’ Newspaper as being shot in the “PUBIC Area”, apparently a misspelling for “PUBLIC Area”. This was in 1886. All information now available by just entering “BESSIE COLVIN”

This pepperbox, like most, functions in double action only, and the cylinder still rotates, with a crisp dry fire. It does however need to be retimed and adjusted, as the cylinder overshoots before the hammer comes down. It looks like the cylinder lock on the trigger is worn, so it no longer prevents the cylinder from stopping. We checked the bores, and they are smooth bore, showing only light wear, so this was not a revolver that saw much use during its service life.

The revolver has a loading / ejection gate on the right side of the recoil shield, and it still functions perfectly. The grip has an ejector rod stored inside, which is removed by unscrewing it from the bottom of the grip. The case is still in good shape, with functioning hinges and a lock.

A lovely little revolver named to a famous “Lady of the Night” from El Paso, Texas, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1865-1875
Caliber: 7mm / .32cal
Ammunition Type: Pinfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 4 1/8 inches
Barrel Length: 1 7/8 inches
Action: Double Action 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.