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LOT 106
Magnificent Finest Known Exhibition
Quality Factory Engraved Early Two
Digit Serial Numbered Chicago Fire Arms
Company Palm Pistol with Relief Carved
Pearl Side Plates and Original Box - Serial
no. 42, 32 XSRF cal., 1 3/4 inch round bbl.,
nickel finish, hard rubber grips. Ames Sword
Co. of Chicopee, Massachusetts, produced
these palm pistols in the 1890s for the
Chicago Fire Arms Co. They were originally
contracted to manufacture 15,000 for the
1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, but
only 1,500 were completed by the deadline
leading to a lawsuit. They continued
production and amassed 12,800 of them
before selling them off in 1910. They
were designed and first manufactured by
Jacques Turbiaux in 1882 in France and
were produced for a brief period by the
Minneapolis Firearms Company before
the rights were sold to Peter Finnegan
of the Chicago Fire Arms Company. This
example is the finest of those known to
have been factory engraved. The barrel
features the floral engraved band and
the side plates have floral engraving
around the outer edge on one side and
checkering on the other. In addition, the
top and bottom of the frame and the
upper portion of the lever have been
acid etched with floral scroll patterns
with a matte background. The pistol has
the standard “CHICAGO FIRE ARMS CO./
CHICAGO, ILL.” marking on one side plate
and “THE PROTECTOR/PAT. MCH. 6, 83,
AUG. 29, 93” on the reverse side plate.
The side plate panels are pearl and have
been hand carved with simple line, floral
and geometric patterns. Matching numbers
are found on the frame and magazine. This
radial cylinder pistol was designed to fit
in the palm of the hand and operated by
a hinged lever mounted to the rear of the
circular frame. The rotary magazine has to
be removed for loading. The lever is fitted
with the standard black checkered hard
rubber pad. Complete with an original two
piece box with the “wood grain” pattern on
the exterior, “The Improved Protector” label on the
outside of the lid, instruction label on the inside of the lid and a
parts price list. There is an individuals name handwritten in ink on
the bottom of the box.
CONDITION: Excellent. The pistol retains 95% plus original nickel
finish with some minor dings on the muzzle and lower frame
protrusion. The side panels are also excellent with some minor
discoloration from aging. The markings and engraving remain crisp
and clear. Mechanically fine. The box is good overall with some glue
repairs of the edges of the lid, and some minor to moderate edge
and corner wear. The label on the lid remains nearly complete. The
parts list is a copy of an original. This is the king of all palm pistols
and definitely ranks as one of the finest cartridge derringer type
pistols known. Rock Island Auction Company is pleased to have the
opportunity to offer this to the collecting fraternity.
Estimate: 18,000 - 32,500