Ye Olde Pocket Shotgun: Chichester Revolving Shotgun

(Image: Screenshot from video)

So you want a shotgun you can slip into a pocket, eh? Well, no dice. Turns out, “pocket shotgun” is only a name, kinda like “compact car.” It’s essentially a crazy-long-barrelled revolver handgun with a shoulder stock fitted on, and a funky sort of sheet metal shield behind the cylinder to protect your peepers from bits of burning powder & whatnot.

It was made by Hopkins & Allen for Chichester Rifle Company. Ian says:

“It’s spelled chy-chester, but because it’s British it’s pronounced chichistuh.”

…but actually the company was based in Jersey City, NJ.

This revolving rifle is chambered for — wait for it — 38 rimfire shotshells!

You heard me.

The cool sheet metal face shield doubles as an aperture (peep) sight, too. Nice!

Psssst, Ian. That rear sight is a groove, not a trough. It ain’t for feeding critters…

It’s an interesting old shootin’ iron, and he even shows us two different versions.

Here’s a link to the auction page for this gun (click here), slated to go up for auction on Sept. 12, 2020.

Ever seen anything like this? (No, the Taurus Judge doesn’t count.)

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.