Description
EXQUISITE CASED PAIR OF SILVER-INLAID PERCUSSION TURN-OFF POCKET PISTOLS -INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO | CLASSIC FIREARMS & CURIOS
EXQUISITE CASED PAIR OF SILVER-INLAID PERCUSSION TURN-OFF POCKET PISTOLS
BY LEWIS TOMS (PLYMOUTH / LONDON) — WITH CONCEALED SECRET FOLDING TRIGGERS
THE HISTORICAL PEDIGREE & DESIGNATION
An absolutely spectacular, investment-grade cased presentation pair of silver-mounted percussion turn-off pocket pistols. While the box-lock frames are proudly engraved “LONDON” to appeal to high-status 19th-century buyers, historical trade records reveal that maker Lewis Toms was actually an elite provincial master operating out of Plymouth, Devon. Toms custom-ordered his raw components directly from the capital—evidenced by the official London proof house stamps and the private barrel-filer initials “R·H” struck into the octagonal tubes—making this an exceptional example of premium provincial marketing artistry.
THE SPECIFICATIONS
Barrels: Multi-stage, heavy-walled octagonal turn-off screw barrels showing brilliant engineering. Unlocked cleanly with the included specialized combination tool, both barrels retain incredibly deep, sharp, and well-defined internal rifling.
Locks & Actions: Silver-finished box-lock frames intricately decorated with crisp foliate scroll engraving, signed “LEWIS TOMS” on the left flank and “LONDON” on the reverse. Fitted with stylized dolphin-form percussion hammers. When fully cocked, the concealed “secret” triggers automatically deploy with a sharp, crisp mechanical snap.
Stocks: Master-tier English walnut grips entirely transformed by extensive, flush-fitting silver wire inlay work. The wire patterns form elegant flowing vines, detailed leaf terminals, and prominent silver four-leaf clovers. Completed with decorative silver back-strap escutcheons and terminating in heavy, beautifully hand-engraved solid silver grotesque-mask butt caps.
THE CASE & PREMIUM ACCOUTREMENTS
Housed inside its original, untouched mahogany presentation box lined in deep burgundy velvet. The specialized internal partitions contain an incredibly rare and complete suite of companion tools:
- Original brass and copper pocket powder flask
- Original steel combination barrel-turner and nipple-wrench tool
- Original iron scissor-form bullet mold
- Period component pots
