Steampunk Percussion Revolver

This revolver was too cool to be an ugly gun. It was also up for auction at Rock Island Auction House.

This unusual and unique revolver was probably built during the great American firearms explosion of ideas in the mid 19th century. It has a 6 7/8" octagon barrel with an unusual turned cannon shaped brass fitting over muzzle and 6 groove straight rifling. The top of the barrel has a brass rod which extends through a bracket that has two tiny dovetails in the top flat. The rear end of rod is fitted with a fixed V-groove sight along with an articulated peep sight. It has a tiny 2 piece ramrod pinned into the barrel lug with a tension spring dovetailed into bottom flat. The loading lever handle is octagon shaped and tapered to larger front end. It has 6 shot unfluted cylinder with protruding nipples and a curious shield in frame reminiscent of pepperbox nipple shields of the Richards found on American made pistols of the 1830-40 era. It has a ring trigger, spurless hammer and is double action only. The grip is long and curved with brass panels, internally mounted, with an 8 pointed geometric star at top on each side and a most unique design on bottom with a small trap door cover on each side. It is completely unmarked although the revolver was not disassembled in an effort to locate any hidden markings.

Estimated Price: $3,000 - $5,000

I'm not sure what it sold for.......