A great pepperbox gun cane curio. The “L” horn handle is 2” high, 4” long, and 1” thick. With a quarter turn of the handle, a nickel pepperbox pistol can be withdrawn from a metal mount inside the 7/8” nickel collar. It is a rim fire revolver with a drop down trigger that was capable of firing six small caliber shells, one at a time as the revolver spun. There is a tiny compartment with a swing-open cover for loading and removing spent shells. Additionally, there is a 4 1/4” stiletto that could have been used if all else failed. There are numbers in various places and it probably has Belgian or French hallmarks internally, which we did not access. (On page 353 of Cane Curiosa by Dike, similar pieces are shown. Most are modeled after the patent of N. Simon, the French gunsmith who made some of the best pepperbox canes in the late 19th Century. This piece might be one of his because of the close similarities.) The shaft is malacca that terminates with a 1” white metal and iron ferrule. The overall length is 34 1/8” and the condition is very good with the mechanics of the revolver in fine, crisp working order. It is ca 1895, and it is a wonderful example of the kind. It is a fine, authentic piece from the Kreh Collection. Estimate: $5500-$7500