Rifleman Q&A: Key Pistols

Q. I own an unusual gun that is in the form of a key with a mechanism that is quite sophisticated and intriguing. The bore is .30-caliber, and the gun fires with percussion caps. Overall length is 8" and it is stamped Serial No. 27. I’ve had a lot of trouble finding information on this obscure piece of history. Can you help?

A. Key pistols have been known since the 17th century and continued to be manufactured until the mid-1800s. Ostensibly, they were crafted for jailers as backup to be used when incarcerating difficult prisoners.

Most are either matchlock or flintlock, but percussion versions, such as yours, were also produced. The pictured example is extremely ornate, which leads me to believe it may have been made not only for use but also as a decorative item. It does have a period look about it, however, there are some design features that appear to me to be slightly more modern than one might expect to see in a circa-1850 firearm.

Without physically viewing the piece, it is difficult to be positive about its exact date and origin. I must admit, it is very interesting, apparently beautifully made and could very well be from the mid-19th century.