The Chicago Fire Arms Company and Ames Sword Co. produced these palm pistols in the 1890s. They were designed and first manufactured by Jacques Turbiaux in 1882 in France and were produced for a brief period by the Minneapolis Fire Arms Company before the rights were sold to Peter Finnegan of the Chicago Fire Arms Company who hoped to make a sizeable profit selling them during the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. This example has a band of floral engraving on the barrel and additional engraving designs around the outside of the frame on the right side which is also marked "THE PROTECTOR PAT.MCH.6.83.AUG.29.93" in a circle. The removable left side plate is checkered around the border and has "CHICAGO FIRE ARMS CO. CHICAGO, ILL" marked in a circle at the center. The pads are all checkered hard rubber. An original Chicago Fire Arms Co. "THE IMPROVED PROTECTOR" picture box advertising the weapon as "1 Compact/2 Light/3 Strong/4 Quick/5 Safe/6 Effective/7Reliable" is included. The bottom of the box has an A.G.ALFORD, Bltimore MD marked diamond shape retailers label. The claim that a .32 extra short rimfire round could fulfill these claims is rather comical by modern standards but in the late 19th century many were still using lower capacity .22 Short pistols and considered them adequate enough for self-defense. Inside the box is a cleaning brush and bore rod.

Excellent other than the broken spring (loose piece included). 98% plus of the original nickel plating remains. The side plate checkering has some dark residue. The hard rubber pads are also excellent and have crisp engraving and light handling and storage marks. The box is very fine and has a clear picture and markings, mild edge wear from storage, and some slight staining. Very few of these pistols remain with their original boxes and accessories.