Ridgeway Civil War Research Center,
A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War

Civil War Weapons, all pre 1898

by Harry Ridgeway

Boot pistols .
Research Center: Weapon3200-Pistol-Boot .

Details click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon3200-Pistol-Boot.html

W0467 ### Boot pistol. . Boot pistol   Weapon of last resort, these single shot pistols could be secured in the cuff of a boot, and pulled out to use in a desperate fight at close range.This one is marked Sharpe and on the other side London.It is a fancy gentlemen's pistol Mechanics need oiling, but it does work.
Research Center: Weapon3200-Pistol-Boot .


W0818 ### Single shot boot pistol, probably European origin . This small pistol was truly the weapon of last resort.It was small and could be carried in a boot, hence is it is called a boot pistol. Single shot percussion, it is loaded by unscrewing the barrel, iron workings, wooden grips, trigger without a guard, there are various marks and geometric designs, presumed to be European origin Barrel length 3 inches.
Research Center: Weapon3200-Pistol-Boot .


W0971 ### Double barrel percussion boot pistol . Small boot pistol was weapon of last resort.This one is double barrel percussion, good bit of art work on the metal.These were purchased by the soldiers individually and not made under government contracts.One hammer works, the other does not.Length 7in.,barrel approx.3.5 in.
Research Center: Weapon3200-Pistol-Boot .


W1204 ### Ethan Allen Pepperbox, Worcester production, six shot, .31 cal.approx. . This small pistol could be hidden in a boot or in a pocket, this is the 19th century version of the concealed weapon, and was widely purchased for self defense.The weapon was good for only very short range and was truly a weapon of last resort.Weapon was manufactured before the Civil War using the general Ethan Allen design.This weapon is a six shooter, there is a flash guard installed around the nipples, the entire barrel revolves, and is ribbed, handle is wood of the bag type.Round barrel measures 3.25in. Wood grips solid with usual dings and scratches from use, mechanics fully functional, trigger guard is missing and screw to secure the barrel is missing.
Research Center: Weapon3200-Pistol-Boot . Reference: Flayderman 5A-050.


W1200 ### Stevens Old Model Pocket Pistol, .22 cal. (sn# 3342) . The small boot pistol could be hidden in a boot or in a pocket, this is the 19th century version of the concealed weapon, and was widely purchased for self defense.The weapon was good for only very short range and was truly a weapon of last resort.Weapon is marked on barrel, J.STEVENS & CO.CHICOPEE / FALLS.MASS.PAT.SEP.6, 1864, serial number appears on the breech when barrel is hinged open for loading.Manufactured by Stevens Arms Company, Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, approximately 15,000 were manufactured from 1864 to 1886. This small pistol is single shot short rimfire, barrel is hinged and released by latch at breech, trigger is protected by extension of the frame, barrel is round, brass workings nickel plated, wooden grips.Round barrel measures 3.5in.Metal with nickel plating intact with a few areas of flaking, wood grips solid, mechanics fully functional, forward site is missing.
Research Center: Weapon3200-Pistol-Boot . Reference: Flayderman 5H-002




This is the "Ridgeway Civil War Research Center", a research tool for educational purposes only, and is provided at no cost to the reader. Some of the relics listed are retained in the author's collection, most reside in other collections and are not owned by the author. None of the items listed in this section are for sale, please refer to relicman.com sales listings for items offered for sale. This is a work in progress, I list items as I get to them, there are many patterns that are not listed yet, this list will be regularly updated as I get pictures and descriptions for more items. I will also correct mistakes, so if you see any please tell me. All items listed are believed to be authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described. Any excavated relics have been recovered from private property with owners permission.This information is available for research purposes, pictures may be used by permission only.

All weapons listed on this webpage are strictly manufactured before 1898, and are considered unsafe for actual use. These are antique collectible weapons of the Civil War (most are pre 1865, unless I state otherwise) and actual firing of these weapons is not recommended for any purpose whatsoever! Because these are all "pre 1898" weapons, no licenses are required for ownership, but common sense and good judgment should be applied
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Most information on this page is from:
Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms......
John Thillman series, "Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers...", or "Civil War Army Swords...."
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Ridgeway Civil War Research Center,
A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War
Weapons
Research center, weapons, click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon0000-Index.html.

Research center, weapons, click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon0000-Index.html.

and now a word from our sponsor.....

Civil War Relicman, Harry Ridgeway,
Civil War weapons, Relicman sales catalog.
Sale listings click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Relicman-Sales-Weapon0000.html.

Sale listings click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Relicman-Sales-Weapon0000.html.