Guns International #: 102859634
Seller's Inventory #: BP24-

Category - Antique Pistols - Percussion - Military Pistols - Antique

Category
Antique Pistols - Percussion
Military Pistols - Antique

1860's-'80's Antique German Double-Barrel Twin-Hammer Percussion Pocket Pistol in .40 Caliber Cap & Ball

Description:
This is an antique German-made 2-shot double-barreled cap& ball pocket pistol chambered for two .40 caliber patched-lead balls or conical bullets, propelled by a charge of loose black powder, and ignited by a #11 +/- percussion cap.  This twin-barreled pistol was likely manufactured sometime between the late 1860's and the 1880's, and features 2 smooth-bore barrels that are 4" inches long, twin hammers at the top-rear of the pistol, and two triggers to fire the pistol, one trigger per side.  The nipples for the percussion caps are both at the top rear of the pistol's barrels, installed at a slight angle rearward to get the flash-holes as straight and directly lined-up with path leading to the chambers and powder charges as possible.  There are no bent-elbows or 90 degree bends from the nipples into the chambers for the percussion's flash to traverse and ignite the powder.  The straight path directly leading into the upper rear area of the powder charge behind the projectiles made this two-shot pistol as reliable as it could possibly be for this design-type and the period of time when it was manufactured.  The triggers were designed to sit at very different positions when cocked, to make both triggers accessible, and make it easier for the shooter to switch between them quickly.  The locks for these two hammers and triggers are inside the compact and simple in design, but hard to access given the design of the gun and the pins used to build them and hold the moving parts and springs in-place.  The grip on this Bavarian double-barrel is a rounded "saw handle" type, made of European Walnut or some similar hardwood, carefully carved and shaped to a 60-65 degree bend from the receiver downward into the handle.  The overall length of this antique pocket pistol is 9" inches from the muzzles to the rear edge of the grip at it furthest point.  It weighs right at 1`5 ounces unloaded, and is about 4" inches tall, if held with the barrels parallel to the ground and the tip of the grip touching the ground.  It would be only 3" inches if not for the tall spurs on the hammers, and from side to side the pistol measures ONLY 1.25" inches wide at the very widest point across the receiver.  This pistol was made in the perfect size to be pocket-concealable, yet large enough to handle, load, and manipulate with ease, and the smooth-bore barrels are long enough to be accurate enough at close ranges where this would likely be used 99% of the time.
     This particular example is in good overall shape, with the exception of the left hammer notch being damaged and the nipples damaged from someone dry firing it at some point.  The left hammer will not cock properly and engage with the trigger, however the right side works perfectly.  It would likely be a simple repair to fix by someone with some experience in those things, and the nipples could be replaced as well with relatively little effort if one were able to locate the right size replacements.  The rest of the pistol is in good, solid, original condition. All of the markings and proofs are still intact and legible, and the pistol grip is solid and free from cracks or major damage. As you can see from the pictures, it would make a very good display piece, or a conversation piece on a coffee table given its attractive and unique look.

Price: $325.00

Antique: Yes
Handgun Caliber: .40
Manufacturer: German (Identified by proofs)
Model: Double Barrel Pocket Pistol
Serial Number: None
Barrel Length: 4" Inches Each
Bore Info: Smooth Bore Barrels
Condition: Good
Metal Condition: Average / Good
Wood Condition: Good
Bore Condition: Good
Barrel Type: Round
Action: 2-Shot Cap and Ball Pistol
Finish: Armory Bright
Sights: None
Grips: 1- Piece Saw Handle-style Factory Grip