FRENCH WALKING STICK PIN FIRE GUN, circa 1870

An ordinary walking stick in all appearances, but concealed at the back is a locking pin which when lifted reveals a sliding bolt enabling the insertion of the Pin Fire bullet into the chamber once locked back into place the hammer can be prized up with a finger nail which also produces the trigger below. Removal of the wooden pommel at the tip of the stick makes it into a gun. It takes a 10mm pin fire round (see item A0505) with a smooth barrel. Marked St Etienne with a proof mark and the name J B Rousson on the handle. Known as a ''Gentleman's Poaching Weapon''

Pin-fire became obsolete once reliable rim-fire and centerfire cartridges became available because the were quicker to load. They were also safer because they had no protruding pin which could cause accidental ignition during rough handling, particularly with loose ammunition.

A1595