Bacon & Co. pistol

[Phil Coffins]

My friend bought this and I gave it a cleaning and oil. An estimated production of 150 during the 1852-1858 period, this is the large frame in 36 calibre. A double action single shot pocket pistol that is a screw barrel type. Once the barrel is removed a charge of powder is put in the exposed hole and a lead ball placed on that. The barrel is screwed back on then a cap placed on the nipple that has no quarter cock or safety. The barrel is rifled and measured to be closer to 35 calibre so it would be a serious threat at close range. The mechanism is well made, still working after about 180 years. Rather simple but effective. The hammer was color case hardened and there are traces of bluing on the action and barrel. Most everything is stamped with a 52 which by chance is his up coming birthday, his gift to himself!
IMG_0447 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
Neither he or I intend to shoot it but its a dandy old gun to admire.
IMG_0446 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[IanH]

I came for the bacon, but that certainly IS a dandy little conversation piece in extremely fine condition. Thanks for sharing, especially the "exploded view" while it was apart.

 

[64Springer]

I have to ask. Is that a double action piece?

Looks like a long pull on the trigger would cause that arm to cause a toggle to raise the hammer and BANG.

I don't see a half cock/full cock system in there.

Thanks.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Yes, did you read the post?

 

[64Springer]

Yes, did you read the post?

I did not.

LOL

Just looked at the pictures.

 

[russellshaffer]

It should fire reliably - that is a stout mainspring. Why not shoot it? I'm sure it is safe and a a few rounds wouldn't change that.

 

[Gtrubicon]

Very cool pistol. Curious as to why you’re not going to shoot it. Is it because of age or rarity of the piece? I only ask because I really would like an original pistol or rifle that I can shoot. I just don’t know enough about them as to make the call on shooter vs wall hanger?

 

[Phil Coffins]

It is a low production antique. More over if fired it is point and pop type without sights. Then let’s say the nipple cracked, it’s not a standard type that you can buy. To remove the nipple would require making a special tool being made to fit. Also the hammer would need to be removed and that is held in place by a blind pin. The bottom line is it may be easy and harmless for a few shots but if something when wrong it means a unique old gun is broken. I’ve shot a number of old guns but some are just a pleasure to handle.

 

[russellshaffer]

You make good points. I guess I wouldn't shoot it either.

 

[hrt4me]

What would you assess its value?

 

[Phil Coffins]

I’m not a good source for dollar value as my mind doesn't work that way, but he payed over $400 .

 

[44-henry]

Had one some years ago which was near identical. Neat pistols.

 

[TnGunner]

I recently picked this up. I don't know much about it though

 

[Sam squanch]

I don’t remember, were these a rip off of the Ethan Allen pistol?

 

[PathfinderNC]

Very cool. It would seem to be a bit on the dangerous side with the hammer resting on the capped nipple. Any thoughts on why it was designed like that?

 

[Sam squanch]

These HAD to work as designed. Simple as possible. These are curiosities to us now, back then they accepted the risk and carried them capped and ready to go.

 

[Notchy Bob]

Thanks for showing that interesting old pistol, @Phil Coffins . We have an old six-barrel pepperbox in the family that has a double-action trigger and a hammer exactly like that one. The only difference is that the barrels, which were made as a unit, rotate when the trigger is pulled. The hammer rises simultaneously and then claps down on a nipple when the top barrel is in line with it. That’s the way I remember it. I haven’t looked at it in quite a while. I suppose the pepperbox might be safer to carry than that single-shot, as one barrel could be left unloaded and uncapped, with the hammer down on the one bare nipple.

However, whoever owned our pepperbox back in the day probably loaded six and either hoped for the best or didn’t worry about it. I was reading an article recently about emigrant deaths on the Oregon-California trail. The number one cause of death and injury was getting run over by wagons. Seriously! Accidental shootings were second. More emigrants shot themselves or each other than Indians ever did. One fellow I read about was leaning over to examine the undercarriage of his wagon, and his pistol fell out of his belt butt first. The pistol’s hammer hit the wagon tongue and the gun fired. The bullet hit the man in the mouth and shattered his jaw. I don’t remember if he died from the wound or not.* You would not believe the number of firearm related injuries that are documented in those old journals.

Anyway, it would not surprise me at all to learn that the original owner of Phil’s pistol carried it in his belt or coat pocket loaded and capped.

Notchy Bob

*EDIT: The man’s name was Jamison, and he survived.