Posted 12 years ago
jak01
(1 item)
Hi was wondering if someone could tell me a little bit about this, ive spent hours looking on google to no avail . Ive established that its a peeperbox gun but this is a cap gun ?
I love it but know nothing about its age value origin. would be grateful for any info anyone
thanks
jak
Percussion pepperbox.
It looks like a Marston, but I cannot read the markings very well.
This type of gun was very popular from the late 1830s until the 1850s when the revolver took much of its previous market.
scott
Is this real or a toy. Looks like it is stamped "CAST (something)" which would mean it is not real. Is there a place to put a roll of caps?
"CAST STEEL"-- found on many AUTHENTIC mid 19th century firearm barrels!
scott
I collected antique guns all my life, handled many of these & don't recall ever seeing "cast steel" on any. Closest I can think of is a Colt Civil War contract rifle I had that was marked "steel" on the breech. Are there any other markings?
I believe "CAST STEEL" was a quality stamping. It appears to have been used during the second quarter of the 19th century.
Some examples with "CAST STEEL" markings: Allen pepperboxes (several models), Smith and Wesson Lever Action repeating pistols (2 models), and Jenks carbine with tape primer.
The marking is found on many American pepperboxes of the era.
scott
great information -- thanks for posting
jak01, is this real or a toy? You seem to be the only one not adding needed info & you hold the evidence.
jak01, is this real or a toy? You seem to be the only one not adding needed info & you hold the evidence. Also, I don't ever remember seeing a pepperbox with barrels this long as they were made to be concealed usually.
I received a pepperbox much like this, in kit form, sometime in the 1970's. Mine is a real pistol but I believe yours to be authentic.
There are many toys & replicas that look real & all we have is one pic. of the suspect. I will consider it as not real until jak gives more info or more pics.
hi everyone, thanks for such a quick response, and sorry to keep you waiting. middle of the night the UK. Yeah it says cast steel,1831 Allen and Thurber.
It`s definitely a toy cap gun, it doesn't have a place for caps in a strip but can take them in a revolver style but on top from what i can tell. I havent been able to test the barrel with a magnet yet but will later, and post my result. thanks again for everyones response
jak
AR, this is just a toy thrown in here & I noticed the misfit on the grips also. I'm not going to waste anymore time on it. If the poster doesn't care, why should I? By the way, the fragmentation part of the stick-grenade you posted is a sleeve put over the charge & not on most. Power is off here so bon nuit.
jako-- patent date would be "1837" for an Allen and Thurber.
Originals came with 3", 5" and then Dragoon sized 6" barrels. The functioning is similar to toy cap guns. Percussion caps were placed over the nipples and initiated a larger barrel charge to propel the bullet.
One barrel appears to be drilled at front and rear. Additionally the grips lack a grip screw. With this much detailing, I wouldn't consider the gun a "toy", while it may be a replica or reproduction.
scott
I would say with one picture you have given us and the fact that you have now heard from both sides of the coin, so to speak, maybe you should take it to a gunsmith or firearms dealer to see what they say.
I agree with post 17. It would a gunsmith a micr second to tell you if it is a toy or the real deal. Interesting piece. thanks for sharing. Please let us know.