Product Description
RARE Antique MINNEAPOLIS FIREARMS Co. “The Protector” PALM PISTOL Revolver
1 of 3,000; Up Close & PERSONAL, Revolver Punch Gun
Here we present an antique Minneapolis Firearms Co. “The Protector” Palm Pistol, made circa 1891-92 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This was a very interesting design that dared to venture away from the conventional style of handgun in that day. It was made to be very simple and small enough to fit inside the pocket and the hand, with only part of the barrel exposed.
The Protector Palm Pistol was first patented and built in France in 1882 by Jacques Turbiaux and sold as the “Turbiaux Le Protector”. Turbiaux’s original pistol was a 10 shot, .22 centerfire. Later it was built in the United States as “The Protector” with reportedly 3,000 of the distinctive “Protector” palm pistols by James Duckworth of Springfield, Massachusetts by the Minneapolis Firearms Company who made only 3,000 of these before selling the patent to Peter H. Finnegan. Finnegan, of Austin, Illinois bought the patent in 1892 and founded the Chicago Fire Arms Co. to market the pistols during the 1893 World’s Columbia Exhibition in Chicago, Illinois. Finnegan sold roughly 12,000 of these pistols under the “Chicago Firearms” brand.
This gun features a 7 shot, rotating, turret-style magazine housed inside the disc-shaped frame. A cover is removable on one side to load and unload. Its palm-sized, squeeze trigger and lack of sights demonstrates how this was an up close and personal weapon, though it does have a rifled barrel. One could point and fire at distance, but could also punch their opponent with it, the palm of the hand slamming the squeeze trigger home with the impact. All in all, a truly unique design of the time.
The overall condition is good. Original nickel finish. The action reliably revolves the turret cylinder but does not reliably engage the hammer. The bore is dim and smooth. Grip panels are whole. Numbers match.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 1-5/8 inches.
Caliber: .32 XS Rimfire (extra short rimfire)
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.
www.ancestryguns.com
$2000
#234128