what is this pepperbox? - The Firearms Forum

mbhjsa · 05-06-2012, 03:33 PM

I have a 5 barrel pepperbox pistol. The only marking on the gun says "Clarke London". It is encased and has a cannister of caps from Birmingham, which may or may not be original. The piostol has a lot of engraving and a checkered grip. I cant find anything on "Clarke London". Does anyone know who the manufacturer of this pistol is and about what year?

Jim K · 05-06-2012, 09:08 PM

One source shows an R.S. Clarke in London 1840-1843 and an R Clarke in Birmingham after 1835. One of them might be the maker, or the name could be that of a retailer rather than a maker. Percussion pepperboxes generally date from c. 1835 when the percussion cap came into common use to c. 1860 when the obvious advantages of the revolver made the pepperbox obsolete. Some were made later, but they were defnitiely old-fashioned by the early 1860's.

Jim

05-06-2012, 03:33 PM	#1
mbhjsa Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 3	what is this pepperbox? I have a 5 barrel pepperbox pistol. The only marking on the gun says "Clarke London". It is encased and has a cannister of caps from Birmingham, which may or may not be original. The piostol has a lot of engraving and a checkered grip. I cant find anything on "Clarke London". Does anyone know who the manufacturer of this pistol is and about what year? -->

05-06-2012, 09:08 PM	#2
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: what is this pepperbox? One source shows an R.S. Clarke in London 1840-1843 and an R Clarke in Birmingham after 1835. One of them might be the maker, or the name could be that of a retailer rather than a maker. Percussion pepperboxes generally date from c. 1835 when the percussion cap came into common use to c. 1860 when the obvious advantages of the revolver made the pepperbox obsolete. Some were made later, but they were defnitiely old-fashioned by the early 1860's. Jim