The design dates to 1882 and originated with Jacques E. Turbiaux of France. They were also manufactured by the Minneapolis Firearms Co. before Peter H. Finnegan purchased the rights and established the Chicago Fire Arms Co. This pistol was manufactured c. 1893 in anticipation of sales at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago that year. Finnegan contracted the famous Ames Sword Co. to manufacture 15,000 of the pistols, but they failed to meet the delivery time and later accumulated many that they sold off themselves after legal proceedings. These innovative firearms would have been very convenient pocket pistols for those seeking compact and discreet sidearms. What they lacked in power, they made up with in concealability and versatility. The pistol is barely visible when in the shooter's hand and looks like a pocket watch at first glance. In fact, the Chicago Fire Arms Co. advertised them as "Carried in the vest pocket as easily as a watch" and advertised them particularly for gentlemen. This pistol would have been their $8 No. 2 style which was listed as "finely nickeled or blued, with pearl sides, polished..." It can be used as a pistol or as a "punch gun" since the pistol would likely fire if loaded and the user punched with it like a brass knuckle. This very high condition example has a floral pattern engraving around barrel and frame, "THE PROTECTOR PAT. MCH 6. 83. AUG. 29. 93." on the roundel at the center of the frame, knurling at the edge of the side plate which is marked "CHICAGO FIRE ARMS CO. CHICAGO, ILL.," beautiful pearl scales, and a checkered hard rubber grip pad. The pistol comes in a very scarce original "wood grain" picture box showing "THE IMPROVED PROTECTOR" and noting the design as a "DEFENSIVE" weapon that is "1 Compact 2 Light 3 Strong 4 Quick 5 Safe 6 Effective 7 Reliable." Provenance: The Tom Selleck Collection