Extremely Rare Paris Brevette 4-Barrel 22 Cap Ball Cane Gun Pepperbox
SOLD FOR: $2,533.00
LSB#: WY250408GF013
Make: Marked “Paris Brevette”; Belgian Proofed
Model: 4-Barrel Cane Pepperbox Pistol with Center Dagger
Serial Number: NSNV
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1860s; Antique
Caliber: .22 Caliber Ball (Percussion)
Action Type: 4-Barrel Cluster, Percussion Ignition, Concealed Cane Weapon with Fixed Dagger
Markings: The top flat of the action is marked “Paris Brevette”, indicating a French patent or license. A Belgian proof mark is present on the chamber, from the Liège proof house, confirming commercial manufacture or testing in Belgium. No additional maker marks are visible.
Barrel Length: 2 inches
Sights / Optics: None present, as expected for a concealed defensive weapon.
Type of Finish: Aged blued or browned finish on cluster and blade; natural wear consistent with use and handling. The handle and shaft appear to be constructed of gutta-percha.
Finish Originality: Appears Original
Bore / Chamber Condition: The smoothbore chambers are clean and show defined contours, typical of percussion ball weapons of the era. In this writer’s opinion, the chambers rate 8.5/10 for a percussion system of this age.
Overall Condition: The pepperbox mechanism retains a handsome, aged gray-brown patina with scattered specks of oxidation and wear. The fixed dagger is straight and exhibits bright blue. The L-handle shows surface wear, typical of gutta-percha or early thermoplastics. The entire unit retains good structural integrity. Overall, this piece rates in VeryGood condition for an exceptionally rare 19th-century antique.
Mechanics: The cylinder rotates manually, and the percussion nipples appear intact. The mechanism is mechanically sound for display. As with all percussion firearms of this era, this is sold strictly as a collectible artifact, and it has not been test-fired. A thorough safety inspection by a qualified specialist is recommended.
Our Assessment: This is a rare, concealed 4-barrel percussion pepperbox cane pistol with a centerline fixed dagger, likely intended for very close-range defensive use. This extraordinary artifact represents the ingenuity and flair of mid-19th-century European concealed weapon design. Bearing both a Paris Brevette marking and a Belgian chamber proof, it likely reflects a collaboration between French design and Belgian commercial production from Liège. The .22 caliber smoothbore barrels fired all at one time using percussion caps. The barrels fire from the chamber directly—no rifled bore is present., fixed dagger, and cane-style housing make this one of the most creative and elegant personal defense solutions of the era. The dagger is fixed between the barrels, integrated into the cluster, and protrudes in line with the barrels.
Concealed cane guns were carried for personal protection and as novelties, but few incorporated multi-barrel percussion systems and a permanently mounted dagger. This piece would have been cutting-edge technology in the 1860s, designed for close-in encounters where surprise and compact firepower mattered most.
Today, it is a crown jewel for collectors of antique pepperboxes, curio firearms, cane weapons, and European patent arms—a rare, museum-worthy conversation piece that encapsulates both engineering and artistry.So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition of the item in our high-quality photos. Good luck with your bid. -K.F.
