Pepperbox pistol 1840s?

[Jim McDougall]

This pepperbox is entirely unmarked, there seem to be numbers on the chambers. I only assume 1840s, English ? or Belgian?
The butt compartment to hold caps still had caps inside, exactly as it was found 50 yrs ago.

Any information?

[corrado26]

As there are Birmingham proof- and viewmarks besides the n°2 barrel this should be an English product. :)

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you Udo, I could not make those out.
Ian....I posted this on the wrong forum...oops...senior moment :)

[Norman McCormick]

I posted this on the wrong forum...oops...senior moment :)


Hi Jim,
No need to worry we all have them !!!:) Here's a little list I'm sure all us 'oldies' will recognise.;):D
Regards,
Norman.

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Jim,
No need to worry we all have them !!!:) Here's a little list I'm sure all us 'oldies' will recognise.;):D
Regards,
Norman.

Can you imagine what it would be like if we were all under same roof? (cuckoos nest anyone? :)
Some of these remind me of., 'Im not paranoid...its the people chasing me!;'

[kahnjar1]

Hi Jim,
This is a very nice Pepperbox pistol. It surprises me that with the quality engraving etc that there is no Makers or Sellers name on it.
For your information attached is info on British Proof Marks which I hope ypu will find of interest.
https://www.vintageguns.co.uk/magazine/514-2
Stu

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Jim,
This is a very nice Pepperbox pistol. It surprises me that with the quality engraving etc that there is no Makers or Sellers name on it.
For your information attached is info on British Proof Marks which I hope ypu will find of interest.
https://www.vintageguns.co.uk/magazine/514-2
Stu

Thank you Stu!
The absence of maker made me think it Belgium, but then I think they had proofs as well. I dont have the gun handy so cant check, but will get a magnifying glass to check those marks by the numbers. Thanks very much for the list, my gun resources pretty limited.

[kahnjar1]

Thank you Stu!
The absence of maker made me think it Belgium, but then I think they had proofs as well. I dont have the gun handy so cant check, but will get a magnifying glass to check those marks by the numbers. Thanks very much for the list, my gun resources pretty limited.
Give me a day or two and I will send you Belgian Proofs. The Pepperbox of your s is definitely English
Stu
Here are Belgian Proof Marks https://www.shotguns.se/html/belgium.html
Also on left hand column is a list of other countries Proof Marks which can be accessed
Stu

[CutlassCollector]

My pepperbox is very similar to yours Jim.
It does have a maker's name W.Dooley of Liverpool - so definitely English, and an additional safety feature which locks the hammer up. Each barrel is numbered and has a proof mark.

The barrel numbers are, I think, important for loading. To help ensure you don't load a barrel twice.
Obviously, the caps go on last. There is no half cock position but if you use the safety bar you can rotate the barrels by number to load.

Firearms are mostly outside my interest but this came up at auction with no other bidders. So I was happy to take it home.

[Jim McDougall]

My pepperbox is very similar to yours Jim.
It does have a maker's name W.Dooley of Liverpool - so definitely English, and an additional safety feature which locks the hammer up. Each barrel is numbered and has a proof mark.

The barrel numbers are, I think, important for loading. To help ensure you don't load a barrel twice.
Obviously, the caps go on last. There is no half cock position but if you use the safety bar you can rotate the barrels by number to load.

Firearms are mostly outside my interest but this came up at auction with no other bidders. So I was happy to take it home.


Thank you SO much for this! It seems compelling this is likely the same maker by the characteristics pretty much a match. This info literally opened the flood gates for online data!This is exactly the kind of input I always hope for, which is why I posted these. Now I can document properly....cant believe Ive waited this long to follow up on these!

[kahnjar1]

Thank you SO much for this! It seems compelling this is likely the same maker by the characteristics pretty much a match. This info literally opened the flood gates for online data!This is exactly the kind of input I always hope for, which is why I posted these. Now I can document properly....cant believe Ive waited this long to follow up on these!
Hi Jim, I don't want to dampen your excitement but your pepperbox could be from one of many makers of these. If it was of the same maker as the other one shown here, then I believe it would also have his name on it. Both have different features (hammer lock as an example) and although the engraving is similar it is not the same.
Stu

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Jim, I don't want to dampen your excitement but your pepperbox could be from one of many makers of these. If it was of the same maker as the other one shown here, then I believe it would also have his name on it. Both have different features (hammer lock as an example) and although the engraving is similar it is not the same.
Stu

Thanks Stu, I sort of figured that, but its surely a better benchmark than I had before. No great loss as Ive had this for over 40 years so FINALLY :) decided to figure what it is. Its funny, Ive studied weapons for over 40 years, but it seems always trying to figure what everybody elses weapons were, never really getting into my own from years before. Quite a learning experience, and lots of fun no matter what the outcome.