A Rare Chicago Palm Rimfire Pistol.
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5” overall, 1 ¾” .32 rimfire barrel. Nickel plated frame with Gutta Percha grips. The right side of the pistol is marked "Chicago Firearms Co. Chicago Ill." in a circle, the left side is marked "The Protector Pat. Mch. 6 83 Ave 29. 93," also in a circle. Seven shot action with Birmingham proofs on the rotor. The serial number ‘72448’ is marked on the inside of the frame, on the rotor and on the removable cover.
Circa 1895
Pistol in very good near mint condition.
Invented by The Frenchman Jacques Turbaux of Paris in 1882 the Patent was purchased by Peter Finnegan of Austin, Illinois in 1892 who immediately formed the Chicago Firearms Company to produce this weapon to be launched at the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. Finnegan contracted the Ames Sword Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts to manufacture 15,000 pistols, however only 1,500 were produced in time for the exposition. Legal action ensued, and a settlement was reached. Eventually a total of 12,800 units were produced by Ames.