FOR SALE Antique A. Ruggles Underhammer percussion pistol

[BlackPowderKeg]

This pistol, with a bottom percussion cap lock, was designed and built by Fordyce and Adin Ruggles of Massachusetts, supposedly due to an accidental discharge of a flintlock pistol in a bag by a traveler. It's very simple (10 parts, 4 of which move) and inexpensive.

Oh January 29, 1828, Fordyce finished a test firing and went to the local tavern with the gun in his pocket. A young man pickpocketed the unusual gun out of his coat and immediately accidentally shot and killed him with it. His brother and widow continued the business.

November 18, 1833, Adin Ruggles is walking outside the factory. A worker casually test fires the gun out a nearby doorway and kills him.

Cynthia Ruggles continued the business until it shuttered in 1838.

Pistol in remarkable condition considering it's almost 200 years old, the most important nipple is not beat up and bore looks serviceable, wood is good and trigger locks works fine. I would not hesitate to fire this gun tomorrow. Below you will find fine article dedicated to the history of early American underhammer pistols

https://americansocietyofarmscollec...-Early-New-England-Underhammers-in-the-St.pdf

$495 shipped

 

[BlackPowderKeg]

 

[BlackPowderKeg]

 

[Darto]

Two of the four moving parts are springs. The other two are the hammer and the trigger. In it's day almost no private American gun maker made locks, they imported them. But Ruggles' design was very easy for them to make.