Original Victorian British Single Shot Side Hammer Percussion Vest Pistol by Charles Piper of Cambridge with Captured Ramrod - circa 1850 Helmets and they got their ideas

and they got their ideas about Americans from the Hollywood movies which were extremely popular in Australia

The barrel is 8" in overall length with a copper blade front sight

so we could not look underneath for markings

the 87th was officially assigned to the 10th Light Division (Alpine)

Original Victorian British Single Shot Side Hammer Percussion Vest Pistol by Charles Piper of Cambridge with Captured Ramrod - circa 1850 Helmets and they got their ideasOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely British Percussion Vest pistol, with a "box lock" style frame and very interesting "Side Hammer" design. These are usually top hammer, but as it is percussion, it may have been easier to put the hammer and bolster on the side. It is a very early Victorian example, and is marked on the top of the barrel by the maker: PIPER, CAMBRIDGE This of course refers to gunmaker Charles Piper, who operated a shop