This pistol shows the bag-shaped grips and the half-octagonal and half-round barrel often seen on single shot American pistols of the 1840s and 1850s, but shows a streamlined profile with a low-arch hammer and swept back spur that might in part be style, but also made it less likely to get caught when drawing it from a pocket. The same applies to use of a ring trigger and center placement of the hammer, though the long barrel and presence of front and rear sights makes target shooting a distinct possibility, as does the way the hammer is slightly offset so as not to block the sighting.

The 4” barrel features an elegant baluster ring at the transition from octagonal to round, and the top flat is engraved “B & S / NEW YORK / CAST STEEL.” The barrel has front and rear sights. The frame is engraved with broad floral scrolls. The bag-shaped grips are very good, with nice surface and tight fit. The breech shows some peppering from the percussion caps in firing, but the metal is mostly smooth and a gray in color.

The “B & S” mark is that of Orison Blunt and William Syms, who manufactured a variety of single-shot and pepperbox pistols, cased sets of pistols, and elegant rifles as well as less expensive deringers, and used a variety of percussion styles: bar hammers, underhammers, etc. If some of their designs seem similar to those of Ethan Allen, Allen thought so too and sued them in 1849. He lost on a technicality, but when threatened with lawsuits by Colt, in conjunction with Allen and Thurber, regarding revolving arms in the early 1850s, they seem to have dissolved the partnership. Nevertheless, they produced high quality work and this is pleasing pistol. [sr] [ph:m]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!