Is this a toy or... a percussion cap boot pistol? (its real!)

Elad

Elad

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Apr 23, 2008
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Is this a toy or... a percussion cap boot pistol? (it's real!)

When I first unearthed this thing, I was surprised at how heavy a toy gun could be. After I got all the dirt out of the barrel and other crevices I started thinking it was an actual gun.
boot-pistol-01.jpg​

My observations :
  • I would imagine that wood would have been secured to the handle, judging by the empty space and the pin/screw hole.
  • It's heavy. I am not sure what kind of metal it is, but it's all one piece.
  • No markings of any kind.
  • It was found in the same field with early 1800's military buttons and colonial coppers.
  • Barrel is straight, bore is not rifled.
  • There are tiny holes with metal pins (rusty clumps) in them. There are 3, but 4 if you count the one on the handle. One is near trigger area, other 2 are where the hammer would have been.
  • Where the hammer should be is a rusty clump of metal. The same goes for the trigger area.
  • The hammer hole is threaded, and in the back is a pinhole leading to the barrel.


boot-pistol-02.jpg​

So it's probably a gun, but the burning question is, what kind? How old? Anyone ever see/find one similar? Found in NJ, FYI.


boot-pistol-03.jpg​
 

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Re: Is this a toy or... a percussion cap boot pistol?

Looks like a brass frame percussion cap single shot derringer to me. The rusty areas are steel parts, hence the rust. I'll see if I can find a pic for you. Definitely real, not a toy. And very cool! :headbang: :headbang:
 

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Re: Is this a toy or... a percussion cap boot pistol?

It looks like a real gun to me. :icon_thumright:
 

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Re: Is this a toy or... a percussion cap boot pistol?

That is a great find congratulations.
 

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Re: Is this a toy or... a percussion cap boot pistol?

Thanks everyone. Any idea on age? 200 years or am I off?
 

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Re: Is this a toy or... a percussion cap boot pistol?

Elad said:
Thanks everyone. Any idea on age? 200 years or am I off?
Click to expand...

Not quite 200 years. 1840 +/- a decade.
 

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Re: Is this a toy or... a percussion cap boot pistol?

got of photo of the trigger area? --is it a spur trigger type?
 

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Re: Is this a toy or... a percussion cap boot pistol?

ivan salis said:
got of photo of the trigger area? --is it a spur trigger type?
Click to expand...

You can see most of it in one of the pictures. It's just a mass of rust. Hard to make out anything.

Ok, now how do I load this thing?
 

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Re: Is this a toy or... a percussion cap boot pistol?

Alabamared said:
What is the bore diameter?
Click to expand...

I will measure it tomorrow at work.
 

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Re: Is this a toy or... a percussion cap boot pistol?

What troubles me is that every search result shows pistols that have barrels which are separate from the bodies. Other than the other post in the other forum, I cannot find another one like it.

great find! Congrats on the other goodies in your treasure bag as well.
 

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Re: Is this a toy or... a percussion cap boot pistol?

Neil in West Jersey said:
What troubles me is that every search result shows pistols that have barrels which are separate from the bodies. Other than the other post in the other forum, I cannot find another one like it.

great find! Congrats on the other goodies in your treasure bag as well.
Click to expand...
Being loaded from the muzzle there is no need to have a seperate barrel but With a barrel made of brass you sure wouldn't want to accidently (or on purpose) dump a double charge of powder in it. I suspect it was a very cheap emergency piece not made for everyday use. A Civil War vintage Saturday Night Special ?
 

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Re: Is this a toy or... a percussion cap boot pistol? (it's real!)

Nice to see another one exist. The one that daroofa posted the link to and was found near the Henry factory.

I can't find another online. Anyone have a Flayderman's book and could check it out? I have different printings of his book but can't put my hands on any of them. :icon_scratch: This is a bigger mystery for me right now.

Maybe transitional pieces, late percussion spur trigger to the early spur trigger rimfire deringers? :read2:
 

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Re: Is this a toy or... a percussion cap boot pistol? (it's real!)

Alabamared said:
What is the bore diameter?
Click to expand...

Ok the diameter is 8.5mm (or .333 in).

I used a micrometer so it's pretty exact.
 

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I have no idea.

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