POTD: The Rupertus Pepperbox – An Pint Size 1860s Pocket Pistol
Sam.S 10.28.24
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The Rupertus Pepperbox, patented in 1864 and manufactured in Philadelphia by Jacob Rupertus’s Patent Pistol Manufacturing Company, represented an innovative approach to self-defense firearms. This tiny eight-shot .22 rimfire pepperbox distinguished itself from revolvers by having individual barrels for each cartridge rather than a single barrel. Only 3,000 were produced, featuring a brass frame, steel barrel cluster, and walnut grips. Its unique loading system involved rotating the breech plate 90 degrees to expose a loading gate, which doubled as a safety mechanism. The pistol used the then-new Smith & Wesson .22 rimfire cartridge, introduced in 1857, loaded with a 29-grain bullet and 4 grains of black powder. Notable features included its eight-shot capacity (when most pepperboxes had 5-6 shots), single-action operation, and an ejector rod for spent cartridges. The design incorporated advanced safety features, making it a sophisticated pocket pistol despite its diminutive size.
“This is an 8 Shot .22 Pepperbox Revolver designed and produced by Jacob Rupertus under his 1864 patent for the design. These were manufactured in the 1860s, with a total production of only 3,000, far less than the vast numbers turned out by companies like Sharps. While having an 8 shot barrel cluster may be good on paper, it was over kill, and the system was also somewhat problematic. The revolver is equipped with a tapering 3 inch barrel cluster and originally featured a breech plate that would rotate 90 degrees counter clockwise to expose a loading gate, which also functioned as a safety for the gun. After loading the breech plate is turned back so that the pistol can be fired.
The pistol is marked on the right side of the brass frame around the hammer pivot screw with:-
RUPERTUS’ PAT PISTOL MFG CO
PHILADAOn the left side it is marked similarly with:-
RUPERTUS’ PATENT
JULY 19TH 1864The revolver features a brass frame with a steel barrel cluster, and what look to be walnut grip scales, and it is similar in size and shape to other designs, except for the barrel cluster.”
Original U.S. Jacob Rupertus .22 Rimfire 8 Shot Pepperbox Revolver in Grade 2 “As Found” Condition – Serial 982. (n.d.). IMA-USA.com. photograph. Retrieved October 28, 2024, from https://www.ima-usa.com/products/original-u-s-jacob-rupertus-1864-patent-22-rimfire-pepperbox-revolver-in-grade-2-as-found-condition-serial-982?variant=40626201526341.
