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Exceptionally rare, assembled pair of New York-made percussion pepperbox pistols by Jacob Pecare and Josiah M. Smith, together representing the two known firearm models produced by this short-lived and highly inventive partnership: the extraordinary ten-shot sheathed-barrel pepperbox and the exceedingly rare four-shot bar-hammer pepperbox.
The larger example, no. 320AH, is a ten-shot .28 caliber pepperbox distinguished by its unusual cylindrical outer barrel sheath and exceptionally extensive scroll engraving. Pecare and Smith patented their distinctive concealed-trigger repeating pistol on December 4, 1849. Their patent specifically describes a preferred arrangement of ten revolving barrels enclosed within a stationary metal sheath, intended both to protect the rotating barrel cluster from interference and to provide a fixed sighting surface. The design also incorporated an ingenious folding concealed trigger intended to improve portability and reduce the possibility of accidental discharge.
The smaller pistol, no. 41AH, is a rare four-shot .31 caliber percussion pepperbox with exposed bar hammer, iron frame and walnut grip. It is additionally stamped “A. HULSMAN” at the barrel breech; the significance of this marking is presently unknown. Production figures for this variation are not documented, although surviving examples are exceedingly scarce.
Pecare & Smith were active in New York during a remarkably brief but inventive period in American firearms development. Their 1849 patent was reissued in 1850, and the firm is documented among the American exhibitors at the celebrated 1851 Great Exhibition in London’s Crystal Palace. Their unusual repeating arms represent an inventive response to the demand for compact, multi-shot defensive pistols immediately before conventional revolvers came to dominate the American handgun market.
Most significantly, these two pistols together represent the two known firearm models manufactured by Pecare & Smith. The ten-shot sheathed-barrel model is encountered somewhat more frequently, while the four-shot bar-hammer variation is exceptionally scarce. Offered as a pair, they provide an unusually complete representation of the known firearms output of this obscure and innovative New York maker.
Item Date: 1849 - Early 1850's
Measurement: Ten-shot: .28 caliber; Four-shot: .31 caliber
Material: Iron and steel construction; walnut grips
Item Condition: Both pistols are in very nice condition with clear markings and pleasing age-related surfaces. The exceptionally rare ten-shot example is functional and exhibits unusually extensive and well-preserved scroll engraving, with greater coverage than typically encountered. The four-shot bar-hammer example is mechanically fine with clear markings. Both retain attractive walnut grips with expected minor wear consistent with age and use.
Price: $11,500
SKU 308-738
For More Information, Please Contact David Hillier at 978-597-8084 or email drh@aaawt.com.