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LOT 97
Very Scarce Centerfire Single Shot Knife Pistol with Nickel Silver Sheath - Serial no.
64, 28 cal., 4 3/4 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, antique ivory grips. This knife-pistol
was likely manufactured around the 1870s-1880s. The profile of the body/grip of the weapon is
very similar to the bolt action/needlefire knife pistol sold by Rock Island Auction Co. in 2020. The
basic action is similar to the Cromwell pinfire knife pistols. The only visible markings on this weapon
is “64” on the front strap. The two-stage barrel is loaded from the breech by loosening the thumbscrew on the right and rotating the breech up. The
hammer is manually cocked and is fired using the folding corkscrew just like the more common percussion knife pistols. The pistol measures 16 inches overall and fires through a hole in the hooked guard. Instead of a small folding blade, this knife pistol has a 9 inch, double edged, fixed blade with a nickel-silver sheath. A large knife with a small pistol on board would make for an excellent hunting sidearm for finishing off wounded game or as a defensive weapon.
CONDITION: Very fine with silver gray patina on the iron, some light patina, and generally minor overall age and storage related wear. The blade is excellent with bright polish. Aside from a pin hole and slight separation at the tip of the scabbard, it is otherwise fine and has some light scratches and aging. Mechanically fine. Writer cannot recall ever seeing anything like this!
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
hammer. “J.R” is marked on the action near the breech. The distinctive eagle head pommel is hollow and has a threaded cap.
CONDITION: Very fine with lovely golden aged patina on the brass overall, crisp detailing on the eagle head, and generally minor storage related wear. Mec You very seldom see these captivating pistol truncheons in the U.S., and they make outstanding additions to curiousa firearms collections.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
nically excellent.
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LOT 98
Rare Day’s Patent Underhammer Percussion Truncheon Pistol with Highly Attractive Eagle Head Pommel - NSN, 60 cal., 8 3/8 inch round bbl., bright finish,
brass grips. This fascinating combination weapon from the 1830s combines a blunderbuss style pistol using an underhammer action with a truncheon and would have been an excellent sidearm for a lawman or prison guard. These rare truncheon pistols are just one of a variety of arms made based on John Day’s 1823 British patent originally covering an underhammer cane gun. The Birmingham proofed barrel screws off and has an approximately .60 caliber bore that flares out to nearly
an inch at the belled muzzle. The barrel and action have multiple bands of wavy line knurling for grip. “4” is marked on the breech face of the barrel, and “84” is on the
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