Info On A Boot Pistol

[expat_alaska]

I figure this is a huge longshot, but just for grins I would like to know if anyone has any info on a boot pistol that I purchased at an Anchorage, AK gun show for $20 a couple of decades or so ago.

Marked "A. T. CO." (no "&") on the barrel, no S/N, .36 cal smoothbore, no sights. Looked to be of modern manufacture back in the '90's. Bag type grips, no TG, octagonal barrel. Used it to scare off dogs messing with my garbage cans with a load of Pyrodex and an overwad loaded from the muzzle as I did not know/realize the barrel may have had the capability to unscrew. Had to use a glove on the firing hand so the cap fragments did not embed in my hand. My son has owned it for a decade.

Looked very similar to this, except no engraving and in much better metal/wood condition.



Anyone?

Jim

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

Are you sure its not an "Allen Thurber" antique?

Most are marked "Allen & Thurber & Co." but some pepperboxes just have "Allen Thurber & Co."

If space was very limited on a small pistol???

 

[Erwan]

Apparently this pistol is a cap and ball coffer pistol, forced ball system: the barrel unscrews to Placing the powder and ball, you need a wrench to do it ...

Normally that kind of pistol use BP only and they have an European origin, I don't mean that it is an straight European: only the origin is from there (mostly Great Britain)...

 

[Bigdog57]

My shooting buddy and I each bought a similar modern repro "Boot Pistol", .36 caliber (uses .350 ball). Kinda fun in the "Gee Whizz, what's that!?" category. Very inaccurate, having no sights. I couldn't get it on paper at seven yards. Might work at 'belly buster' distance, but one shot, then you'd better have a Plan B!
Ours have a round barrel with the 'cannon style' muzzle, and a bright brass frame. Horrendous heavy gritty trigger.

Not mine, but identical to it. Called a "Richardson Boot Pistol".

 

[kBob]

The kit and assembled gun that Dixie was selling like this in 1983 or so had a round barrel.

I flipped through an old catalog from 1960 or so and saw them listed only as "Belgian" pistols though those originals had octagonal barrels.

-kBob

 

[daboyleroy]

Boot Pistol

https://www.google.com/search?q=boo...hmYndUWTM:&usg=__wKGaDE5wT1CS_faVaxNDFgAngiQ=


heck of a link but shows a lot

 

[expat_alaska]

Thanks for all of the replies, but I really think it is a cheap repro of modern manufacture. Was just curious if anyone here had seen another like it.

Maybe I'll try to get it back from him as he has no interest in BP stuff.

Jim

 

[Skinny 1950]

Some actual pictures of the gun would have been nice.

 

[Erwan]

You can found tons of it if you search " box lock pistol" or "belgian box lock pistol" , flint or cap you can found it everywere and also on Google images... http://www.deactivated-guns.co.uk/images/uploads/1PERCU/1PERCU-012818_4.jpg

In the 19th century they made tons and tons of that kind of little pistols...

Not so much copies moderns are made and mostly by owners...