Ames Sword Co. of Chicopee, Massachusetts, was contracted to produce these palm pistols in the 1890s for Peter Finnegan and the Chicago Fire Arms Co. in anticipation of selling them during the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. After only 1,500 were completed, Finnegan declared his company insolvent, and Ames ultimately secured the patent rights through litigation and continued to manufacture them into the 20th century until around the U.S. entry into World War I. They were designed and first manufactured by Jacques Turbiaux in 1882 in France and were produced for a brief period by the Minneapolis Firearms Company before the rights were sold to Peter Finnegan of the Chicago Fire Arms Company. Offered here is a scarce exhibition quality gold plated and panel etched variation of the Protector palm pistol with the uncommon Ames Sword Co. marking. The barrel features the floral engraved band, and the side plates have floral engraving around the outer edge on one side and checkering on the other. The pistol is marked "AMES SWORD CO./CHICOPEE MASS." on one side plate and "THE PROTECTOR/PAT. MCH. 6, 83, AUG. 29, 93" on the reverse side plate. The side plates are pearl and have a factory floral etched motif enclosed in a hexagon panel. Matching numbers are found on the frame, magazine and removable side plate. This radial cylinder pistol was designed to fit in the palm of the hand and operated by a hinged lever mounted to the rear of the circular frame. The rotary magazine has to be removed for loading. The lever is fitted with the standard checkered hard rubber pad. The pistol comes in a fitted hardwood case with a cartridge block holding ten cartridges.

Exceptionally fine. The pistol retains 80% plus original gold plating (includes exterior and interior surfaces) showing aged darkened areas. The pearl panels are also excellent with a single long hairline crack. The etching is crisp. Wear to the hard rubber is limited to a series of minor handling marks near the bottom. The checkering is crisp. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with minor age and storage related wear. Truly extraordinary exhibition quality palm pistol with exceptionally rare gold plating and etched pearl panels that would fill a gap in even the most advanced antique firearm collections!