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Rare William Wurfflein of Philadelphia percussion Zimmerschützen, or parlor target pistol, approximately .21 caliber and without visible serial number. The pistol is fitted with an unusual 5 ½ in. internal barrel contained within a 10 ½ in. outer barrel and incorporates a removable breech for loading and powder changes.
Designed specifically for precision indoor target shooting, the pistol features double-set triggers and an elaborately formed walnut stock. The fluted and checkered butt is further embellished with small brass nails arranged in a decorative diamond pattern, while the nickel-plated butt cap, trigger guard, breech and tang provide an attractive contrast to the deeply browned barrel. The lock plate is marked by William Wurfflein of Philadelphia.
The German term Zimmerschützen, literally referring to indoor or “room” shooting, describes a European tradition of small-caliber target shooting conducted in indoor galleries and private shooting rooms. Specialized arms for this purpose emphasized accuracy, fine sights and extremely light trigger pulls. The double-set trigger arrangement and small .21 caliber bore of the present pistol are characteristic of that precision-target tradition.
The Wurfflein gunmaking business was established in Philadelphia by Andrew Wurfflein in 1843 and was succeeded by his son William in 1870. William subsequently developed a national reputation for finely made target and gallery arms. Period accounts describe his establishment as a manufacturer of sporting, target and gallery firearms, while surviving literature indicates that many of his precision arms were produced in relatively small numbers or to individual order.
With its unusual internal barrel arrangement, removable breech, double-set triggers, finely decorated stock and exceptional surviving barrel finish, this is a particularly interesting example of William Wurfflein’s specialized Philadelphia target arms.
Item Date: Circa 1870s–early 1880s
Measurement: 10.5 inch outer barrel; 5.5 inch internal barrel
Material: Browned steel barrel; engraved and nickel-plated steel furniture; walnut stock with brass nail decoration
Item Condition: Fine condition overall, retaining approximately 95% original brown finish on the barrel. Nickel-plated breech, tang, trigger guard and butt cap retain strong finish with expected minor age-related wear. Walnut stock remains particularly attractive, with sharply defined fluting and checkering and its decorative brass nailwork intact.
Price: $3,100
SKU 308-746
For More Information, Please Contact David Hillier at 978-597-8084 or email drh@aaawt.com.