Allen and Thurber 6 Shot Cap and Ball .31 Caliber Pepperbox Pistol ANTIQUE NO PERMIT REQUIRED

The Allen and Thurber 6 Shot Cap and Ball .31 Caliber Pepperbox Pistol is a mid-19th-century firearm notable for its distinctive multi-barrel design. Manufactured by Allen and Thurber, a prominent American gunmaker active in the 1830s to 1860s, this percussion pistol features six rotating barrels and utilizes a cap and ball ignition system. The .31 caliber pepperbox was commonly used for personal protection during the antebellum and Civil War periods due to its compact size and multiple-shot capability. The frame and percussion mechanism are metal, while the grips are typically composed of wood. The barrel cluster rotates as the trigger is pulled, aligning each chamber with the hammer for sequential firing without a traditional cylinder. As an antique manufactured before 1898, this item is classified as a non-firearm under most regulations and does not require a permit for ownership in many jurisdictions. This example is a representative artifact of early American multi-shot handguns.