^Lot 8 Antique Manhattan Bar Hammer Pepperbox

Antique Manhattan Bar Hammer Double Action Six-Shot Pepperbox Pistol, #44, .31 cal., 3-5/8'' barrel marked ''Cast Steel'' between two flutes; bar hammer is marked on left side ''Manhattan F.A. Mfg. Co./New York'' in two lines, floral hand-engraved steel frame with integral bag-style gripstraps and loop triggerguard; two-piece varnished walnut grips. Mfg'd mid- to late 1850s. Originally with blued and case hardened finishes. Condition is fine, the barrel group retaining perhaps 70% thin original blue blending with a smooth blue-brown patina, the frame a clean gunmetal gray, the hammer showing mottled case colors, the trigger mostly silvered out. Grips are smooth retaining approx. 95% original varnish with a few minor handling marks, fit well and have excellent color. Markings, engraving and edges are sharp, screw head slots are unusually nice for a pepperbox. Action functions as designed; smoothbores are clean, shiny and perhaps unfired. Pepperboxes are usually found in rough shape; this one is the exception. Est.: $500-$800. (Antique)