The mid-19th Century saw a significant spike in the popularity of canes, especially among the more well-to-do of societies in Europe and North America. This popularity led to a desire for an item that was a fashionable accessory for a gentleman, as well as having some defensive capabilities, should the need arise. Remington saw this as an opportunity, and in 1858 patented a percussion cane gun which was designed by John F. Thomas, their master mechanic. The Civil War interrupted production significantly but it was resumed at the end of the war, with production soon shifting to a new and improved rimfire variation. These rimfire examples were made from about 1866 to 1888 in two calibers, .22RF and .32RF, with this example being the latter. It is estimated that approximately 2,000 of each caliber were made. This example has a rarely seen small curved handle made of the same brown gutta percha as the shaft. There is a small German silver band where the handle meets the shaft and a serrated iron ferrule at the tip/muzzle. The faint serial number "9631" is visible at the bottom of the shaft, on the handle, just above and below the silver band, and the bottom of the upper portion of the shaft has traces of the patent markings. It measures 38 1/2 inches overall. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection

Very fine, retaining most of an attractive brown with a few areas showing some light wear/fading and some scattered light handling marks throughout. Mechanically excellent.