Page 91 - 88-BOOK1

LOT 98
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. The action is 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 - 27,500
89