Manufactured c. 1864 to 1872, only around 3,300 of these interesting, superposed pocket pistols were produced by the Marston firm in New York. These three-barreled pistols were one of a plethora of different designs of multi-shot pocket pistols that hit the market in the mid to late 19th century, their demand spurred by high crime levels, particularly muggings, in the rapidly expanding urban centers of the century. The left side of the brass frame is marked with the standard five-line Marston address and patent marking. The matching serial number is marked on the left side of the grip frame under the grip, on the rear face of the barrel lug, and stamped inside both grip panels. The right side is fitted with a selector knob numbered 0-3, which is used for barrel selection and as well as indicating how many shots remain. A stationary three-prong extractor is also mounted on the right of the frame with a single screw. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, sighting groove on top of the barrel latch, and a pair of smooth rosewood grips.

Fine, retains 40% plus of the blue finish on the barrels, more concentrated in sheltered areas, with the balance having thinned to mostly a grey patina. Traces of the original silver remain with the balance an attractively aged patina on the brass. The grips are also fine with a minor crack in the right panel and some minor handling marks. Mechanically functions, though the selector switch doesn't advance.