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Item No.:	8484	Price :	SOLD
Item :	SCARCE, BLUNT & SYMS UNDERHAMMER PEPPERBOX

Description :

This is a .31 caliber, percussion pepperbox revolver made by Orison Blunt and John G. Syms of New York City. Blunt & Syms generally used European made frames and mechanisms with American made barrel clusters. Only a few thousand were produced from the late 1830's to the 1850's. Known as a "Ring Trigger Concealed Underhammer" Pepperbox, it is a double action only pistol with a 3 1/4" fluted barrel assembly of 6 shots. When the ring trigger is pulled, the cylinder advances and a small rectangular hammer raises and falls, striking the capped nipple. One would think the small hammer would not be heavy enough to fire the cap. One would be wrong! Such is the ferocity of the blow that several of the nipples on this gun have fractured. This is probably the result of the odd angle at which the hammer strikes and from falling on an uncapped nipple. Aside from the broken nipples, the pistol is in fine condition. The barrel cluster retains about 80% of its original blued finish. There are a few small pitted spots on the surface. The frame has about 20% of its blue remaining in the protected areas. The remainder has a steel/pewter patina with a light speckling of brown. The frame has beautiful cut scroll engraving. The action works very well. The bores are dirty but appear to be in good condition. The wooden grips are in fine condition with most of their varnished finish intact. There are the usual tiny dings and scratches from use. The screw escutcheons appear to be German Silver. Blunt & Syms pepperboxes are generally unmarked except for the letters "R-C" and a two-digit number on the muzzle. This pistol is so marked. It is always nice to find one with some finish remaining. Stock no. 22304

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