This is a nice example of a percussion pepperbox made by Thomas D. Clare. The frame, trigger guard and hammer are engraved with floral scroll designs with scallop border on the upper edge of the hammer and geometric border on the frame. The right side of the frame is marked "IMPROVED / REVOLVING / PISTOL" in a banner and "THOs D. CLARE" in a banner on the left side. Each barrel flute is marked with alternating "crown/V" and "crown/GP" proofmarks at the breech end and the chambers are marked 1 to 6. The trigger guard was finished blue, the sliding hammer safety and trigger niter blue and the remaining parts are casehardened. Fitted with a one piece checkered walnut grip with iron buttcap with floral engraving and silver initial rectangle. Complete in a wooden case with a brass disk inset into the outside of the lid, green lining with a nickel oiler, powder flask, a Starkey and Eley Bros. cap tins (both empty), an ivory container with spare percussion nipples, iron bullet mold, brass and wooden clean/ramrod and two ebony handled screwdrivers.

Very fine. The pistol retains 75% of the original case colors with scattered areas that have faded to a smooth gray patina. The safety retains much of the bright original niter blue, while the trigger shows strong niter blue in protected areas and a smooth silver gray on the balance. The trigger guard shows scattered dark original blue finish mixed with smooth brown patina. The grip is excellent with a couple of minor dings, light handling marks and sharp checkering. With the exception of a slightly warped lid, the case is fine with a few minor scratches and dings on the exterior, a couple of areas of heavy wear to the lining, otherwise minor contact wear and a small amount of light staining. The accessories are all fine or better.