Original British Victorian Matched Pair of Percussion Vest Pocket Pistols with Fold-out Triggers Circa 1845 - Both Marked 36

Original Items: Only One Pair Available. This is a lovely matched pair of Victorian Era British Vest Pocket Percussion pistols, 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 pistols measure 7 1/2 inches in overall length, featuring a 2 7/8 inch "turn off" .49" caliber barrels, which made re-loading and cleaning the pistol a much easier process. As with most we see, the barrel joints are unfortunately seized with oxidation and fouling. The right sides of both frames are marked with the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "black powder proof" marking from from the city of Birmingham, England, while the right sides are marked with the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" mark. These are the style of markings in use until 1855. Both are also marked with number 36 on the bottom front of the frame by the barrel joint, probably a matching number.

The pistols follow the classic style, and are fitted with a very nice checkered flat bottom curved grips, which are great shape. The bottoms of the grips are fitted with silver, with some small escutcheons on the undersides, while the rear of both grips are fitted with silver diamond escutcheons. The metalwork of the pistols show a lovely bright steel patina, with some spots of oxidation and past peppering, now cleaned away.

They have 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 locks are both functional, however one of the pistols does not hold at half cock, while the other does. We can also see some slots behind both hammers, so we assume these originally had some type of half-cock safety, which was later removed.

A lovely pair of mid 19th Century British vest pocket percussion pistols, ready to research and display!

Specifications (Both):-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1845
Bore Diameter: .49" pistol
Ammunition Type: Cap & Ball
Barrel Length: 2 7/8 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.