A scarce pair of 45 bore Cooper’s Patent ring trigger underhammer percussion “boot leg” pistols, 71/4”

A scarce pair of 45 bore Cooper’s Patent ring trigger underhammer percussion “boot leg” pistols, 7¼” overall, turn off colour hardened barrels 3-3/8" with B’ham proof marks; the brass frames stamped “J R COOPERS PATENT 1849” and B’ham view mark, long sprung hammers beneath the barrels; plain varnished wood grips secured by rivets. GWO & clean condition, the barrels retaining original colour hardened finish. Note: these pistols were the subject of an article in the American “Arms Collecting” magazine, Vol 36 No 1 in February 1998. £1000-1200