Scarce JAMES RODGERS “Self-Protector” Two Blade .32 Percussion KNIFE Pistol British .32 Caliber with HORN GRIP

Product Description

Scarce JAMES RODGERS “Self-Protector” Two Blade .32 Percussion KNIFE Pistol

British .32 Caliber with HORN GRIP

Here we present an antique Birmingham Proofed Percussion James Rodgers Pocketknife Pistol made circa the 1840s in Sheffield, England. The concept of the personal protection knife pistol was truly refined in England by the partnership of James Rodgers and Philip Unwin, a pair of Sheffield based cutlers in the county of Yorkshire. Between the two partners they developed and patented a system to combine a single-shot percussion pistol with typical folding pocketknife.

This handy little pistol/knife combo is chambered in .32 caliber percussion. This unique knife gun features two folding blades, one 2-1/4 inches and the other 3-1/4 inches. There are Birmingham proof marks on the barrel. This is a fairly rare collector’s piece that you don’t see come around very often. Single and double-barrel knife/pistol combinations like this are fairly uncommon. Most date to the 1840s and 1850s, when a lot of people still didn’t trust the newfangled revolvers or even pepperboxes. With the exception of some made in England, as is this example, most carried no makers’ markings at all. Belgium and Germany were the main source of these types on the European Continent.

Although these pistol knives are not completely uncommon on the collector market today, high condition examples with no significant damage or restoration are rare. Finding an example like this example without significant damage or repair to the horn grip scales is quite difficult. Due to regularly being carried around in one’s pocket, they were often jostled, dinged and dropped, resulting in heavy wear.

The German silver barrel has two British proofs stamped on the upper left flat. The blades are both marked “JAMES/RODGERS/SHEFFIELD” on the left ricasso. The pistol and knives are enclosed in a German silver casing with horn scales secured by rivets. The back strap has a compartment, and there are provisions for tools on the sides near the butt, iron tongs on the right, and German silver ball mold on the left.

The overall condition is very good. Original finish. The action is strong. The bore is smooth and patinated. The blades show some use and remain sharp. The horn scales are in very nice condition. Comes with a set of tweezers and scissors.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 3-3/8 inches.

Caliber: .32 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$3200
#244243