Are there any markings stamped into the metal parts of the gun?
Anyway, it’s perfectly legal to own and display. Since it is a cartridge revolver, you have to treat it like a modern firearm. It’s probably not an issue since you have no intention of shooting it, but you can’t carry it concealed unless you get a PA License To Carry Firearms (LTCF), and you also can’t carry it loaded in your car unless you get a PA LTCF. You are allowed to carry it unloaded in your car to and from the shooting range. Again, you probably won’t ever shoot it but those are the rules. Might take a bit of research just to figure out what cartridge it was designed to shoot, unless you get lucky and find the caliber stamped on the metal somewhere.
You have to follow modern rules if you ever sell it.
You do not have to register it.
Since it was inherited, you do not have to go through an FFL to legally complete the transfer and you do not need to have a background check. This assumes that you are legally allowed to own a firearm in PA. If you are a convicted felon, if you have ever been involuntarily committed to a mental health institution, are a fugitive from justice, etc. then you cannot legally own this weapon.
In the unlikely event that you find a concealed weapon in the cane, I don’t know what the laws are regarding cane guns in PA.
There is something stamped along the barrel, but it’s tiny. Looks like “Wesson & Harrington Worchester Mass. Pat Feb 7, June 1373”. Oh and I just noticed “1660” but it looks like that was added later by someone maybe scratching it in?
Looks like it’s chambered for .22, so there is lots of ammo.
That may be a very valuable little gun. According to that site, less than 100 may have been made, and yours looks to be in pretty good condition. Also, my understanding is that sometimes a connection to a real historical figure can make them more collectible.
Interesting! It doesn’t have the rosewood grips mentioned there, but if it was a special gift as I was told that makes sense. The top of the cane also has the same name and County as the pistol I think.
Whoops, I got that wrong. The ultra-rare model is chambered for .41, and most were NOT .22. So you have to check the caliber of the gun to know what you have.
Cool. This is why the details and pictures were important!
I feel like we’ve solved a mystery together…
Quick follow up on thoughts - provenance is important in some sales of historical artifacts and weapons, did your father leave any of the auction documents with the pocket pistol? Was there a presentation award / certificate? Did it have a bespoke box?
I mean none of this is super important if you’re keeping it, but it would be amazing to have if you wanted to sell it or present it to a museum.
No box, but I’ll poke around for the documents. He wasn’t alone on the trip, though, so they may be with someone else. I’ve often pondered trying to dig up more information on the name shown on the handle. Maybe it really was a gift, or maybe this fellow was a dandy who just liked his name on his stuff. Either way, it’s pretty neat.
We did indeed solve a mystery! Thank you very much, everyone!
There are various categories of license. There are a lot of old pocket revolvers in those lists, but I didn’t see yours at first glance. But the lists are not complete. Your gun certainly fits the descriptions.
C&R covers the acquisition of it, OP already has it. It could be relevant again if sold, re: how it’s transferred, but for most purposes, either it’s a firearm, or it’s an antique.
Some follow-up information on the gun’s owner for those interested. I wrote to a local Historical Society and for a reasonable fee, they did some research. Apparently, Patrick Kenny was a second-generation American (I want to say Irish but that’s just based on the last name) who became a tobacconist.
When he was elected Sherriff there was a big political stink because his father’s name didn’t appear on the naturalization list, and therefore he himself couldn’t hold an office. His father brought forward some paperwork and more importantly, the clerk who had signed it and remembered his father, as well as some other citizens who supported his claim. The whole mess went to the State Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, who decided in his favor. There’s mention of a Wisconsin court case where an alien could take office if he was naturalized before the start of his term.
As the archived newspaper says, “it is the most causeless and unjustifiable preceeding we have ever seen. They all know that Mr. Kenny is legally entitled to the office, but some of them hope to prolong the contest into January, and then have the Governor appoint someone to fill the vacancy. Once in possession of the seat, it will be slow work to dispose of him. The Republicans held the Prothonotary’s office during the contest for nearly a year and a half. They would be glad to hold the Sheriff’s office as well, for as long a time.” From this, I take it that Kenny was a Democrat.
Kenny had a quiet time as Sheriff. Afterward, he became a bondsman and boot salesman. Died in 1920.
That’s very cool. If you are going to keep it as a collectible, you might consider getting a case for it, then get that little blurb about the sheriff put on a plaque or a note beside the gun. You can see lots of display cases for sale here:
You should be able to get a paragraph laser-etched on a plate for cheap. Packaging it all like that would likely increase the resale value of the gun. Plus you’ll keep dust off it and keep people from playig with it if it’s just out on a shelf or something.
'Black Powder" pistols might be suitable for a thread of their very own. Somebody mentioned they aren’t considered a firearm in most states.
I don’t believe this is correct, while it is true they are not considered firearms under Federal law, they are undoubtedly considered “dangerous weapons” under any state law. At best it’s a distinction without a difference. It isn’t the feds who throw you in jail for state crimes, and it’s not as if the authorities are going to throw up their hands in frustration when they catch someone at the murder scene. “Well! The crafty SOB used an 1851 Navy revolver, nothing we can do.” I think Felons are sometimes accused of trying to use them as a loophole, or something. I doubt it works.
They are tightening up on the mail order, outfits like Cabelas require shipment to an FFL as far as I know, or “in store” purchases only.
