Chicago Protector Palm Pistol
Chicago Fire Arms Co. · Pistol · Discontinued · 1893
Also known as: The Protector, Chicago Protector, Protector Palm Pistol, Chicago Firearms Palm Pistol
Overview
The Chicago Protector Palm Pistol is a double-action palm-squeezer revolver chambered in .32 Extra Short Rimfire. Built on Jacques Turbiaux's French patent, it was manufactured by the Ames Sword Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts under contract for the Chicago Fire Arms Co. for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Shaped like a pocketwatch, it is held concealed in a closed fist with the barrel protruding between the fingers and fired by squeezing the hand, which rotates a flat radial disc magazine of seven chambers. Most examples were nickel-plated to resist corrosion from close-contact carry.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 230 g (8.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 114 mm (4.49") |
| Barrel Length | 41 mm (1.61") |
| Height | 70 mm (2.76") |
| Width | 18 mm (0.71") |
| Action Type | Double Action Revolver |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Rotary |
| Muzzle Velocity | 198 m/s (650 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 69 J (51 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 5 m (5 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Nickel Plated |
Calibers
- .32 Extra Short Rimfire · primary — also known as .32 Extra Short, .32 Protector, .32 Short Rimfire (Extra Short)
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Radial Disc Magazine
- Features: Squeeze Actuated Firing, Radial Disc Magazine, Pocketwatch Form Factor, Hard Rubber Or Pearl Grip Inserts
Service history
Operators
- Civilian self-defense market · adopted 1893
Production
Estimated total produced: 15,000 · Production years: 1893-1910
Ames Sword Company was contracted to produce roughly 15,000 pistols in anticipation of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition; the company was short-lived and total output was limited.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Jacques Edmond Turbiaux
Discontinued: 1910
Notes
Mechanically a radial 'turret' or disc-magazine repeater rather than a conventional cylinder revolver; squeezing the rear lever both indexes the disc and fires. Remington produced the .32 Extra Short rimfire ammunition through about 1920.
Background
The Protector design originated with Parisian inventor Jacques Turbiaux, who patented his 'Le Protector' squeeze pistol in France in 1882. The American rights passed to Peter H. Finnegan, who founded the Chicago Fire Arms Co. in 1892 and contracted the Ames Sword Company to build the guns for sale at the Chicago World's Fair. Sized to vanish inside a closed hand, it was marketed as a discreet last-ditch defensive weapon for the late-Victorian gentleman and lady.