Bacon Pepperbox
Bacon Manufacturing Company · Revolver · Discontinued · 1852
Also known as: Bacon & Co Underhammer Pepperbox, Bacon Underhammer Pepperbox, Bacon & Co Pepperbox
Overview
The Bacon Pepperbox is a six-barrel .31 caliber percussion pepperbox revolver produced by Thomas K. Bacon of Norwich, Connecticut in the mid-1850s. Unusual among period pepperboxes, it combined a single-action lock with an underhammer arrangement rather than the common double-action bar-hammer layout. The revolving cluster of muzzle-loaded barrels was offered in 3-inch, 4-inch, and 5-inch lengths, with the 4-inch ribbed cluster being standard. Blued and fitted with two-piece walnut grips and simple scroll engraving, it was a compact personal-defense arm made in very small numbers late in Bacon & Co's existence.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 480 g (16.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 216 mm (8.50") |
| Barrel Length | 102 mm (4.02") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Rotary |
| Muzzle Velocity | 200 m/s (656 fps) |
| Effective Range | 10 m (11 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 40 m (44 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Rifled |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .31 Caliber Percussion (Cap and Ball) · primary — also known as .31 cal, .31 percussion, 7.9mm
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Muzzle-Loaded Percussion Barrels
- Features: Six-Barrel Cluster, Underhammer Design, Single-Action Lockwork, Scroll-Engraved Frame And Recoil Shield, Two-Piece Walnut Grips
Production
Estimated total produced: 200 · Production years: 1852-1857
Estimated around 200 units; produced in very small quantities late in Bacon & Co's operation.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Thomas K. Bacon
Discontinued: 1857
Notes
Early Bacon-era production was marked 'BACON & CO NORWICH-CT' and 'CAST STEEL' on the barrel ribs; assembly-numbered examples are known. The maker later reorganized as the Bacon Manufacturing Company.
Background
Pepperboxes bridged the gap between single-shot pistols and the practical revolver, offering multiple ready shots before the Colt-pattern revolving cylinder took over. Bacon's single-action underhammer design was a comparatively rare and elegant take on the type.