CASED, CUSTOMIZED Antique CHICAGO Protector PALM PISTOL .32 Cal. Revolver
Customized with BIRMINGHAM, AL TUTWILER HOTEL CREST
Description:
CASED, CUSTOMIZED Antique CHICAGO Protector PALM PISTOL .32 Cal. Revolver
Customized with BIRMINGHAM, AL TUTWILER HOTEL CREST
Here we present an antique Cased Chicago Firearms Co. Protector Palm Pistol, made circa 1893. This pistol’s top plate, which is removeable for loading the gun, has been customized with a brass plate the bears the crest of the Tutwiler Hotel, a luxurious place to stay and an important gathering place once set in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. The original Tutwiler building saw its grand opening in 1914. It was financed by Edward Magruder Tutwiler, a VMI graduated and veteran of the CSA during the American Civil War who was a survivor of the Battle of New Market in which many of his classmates were killed. After the war he studied engineering, was a surveyor working for railroads and even for the City of Cincinnati. He began his namesake Tutwiler Coal, Coke & Iron Co. in Birmingham in 1889, retiring from this in 1906 and leading an active semi-retired lifestyle, eventually financing his namesake hotel. The original structure was demolished in 1974 and it is said that workers salvaged over 1,000 brass doorknobs bearing the Tutwiler crest as you see it on this gun. We believe that this piece is from one of those knobs.
The Palm Protector was a very interesting design that dared to venture away from the conventional style of handgun in that day. It was made to be very simple and small enough to fit inside the pocket and the hand, with only part of the barrel exposed. It was invented in France in 1882 by Jacques Trubiaux and was subsequently made in the United States by several different companies, all in relatively small batches.
Turbiaux’s original “Turbiaux Le Protector” was a 10 shot, .22 centerfire. Peter Finnegan took up the mantle in 1892 and set up his Chicago Fire Arms Co. He contracted through the Ames Company to make 15,000 of them for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Very few were made by that time and Finnegan sued the Ames Company. Ames kept making the pistols, even during the lawsuit, and in the end only about 12,800 were made.
This gun features a 7 shot, rotating, turret-style magazine housed inside the disc-shaped frame. A cover is removable on one side to load and unload. Its palm-sized, squeeze trigger and lack of sights demonstrates how this was an up close and personal weapon, though it does have a rifled barrel. One could point and fire at distance, but could also punch their opponent with it, the palm of the hand slamming the squeeze trigger home with the impact. All in all, a truly unique design of the time.
The overall condition is good. Original nickel finish. The action is strong. The bore is dim and worn. The patent date disc is absent from the bottom side, the top plate has been customized as described above. The numbers on the interior frame and interior of the top plate match while the turret inside is numbered differently. This one comes in a custom fitted modern case that is in fine condition. The wood has nice figure on the lid. Comes with key to the case and a pair of vintage dice. Overall a neat set that has a unique modification.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 1-3/4 inches.
Caliber: .32 Extra Short Rimfire
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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ancestryguns
$3050
#228592
SOLD
Antique: Yes