Description
Often called a boot pistol, muff pistol or peanut, this little double action gem has the crisp maker mark of Allen & Wheelock and the serial number, 488. The DOUBLE action is tight and crisp and the overall size is right at 6 1/2” long. These pistols were extremely popular as backup guns for soldiers and were also carried by gamblers and ladies of the night. This example also bears the patent date of April 16, 1845, on the left side of the bar hammer. This example was manufactured in the mid 1850s based on the overall form and was discovered in an estate sale in Knightdale, NC.