Frankenau Purse Pistol
Oscar Frankenau · Revolver · Out Of Production · 1877
Also known as: Frankenau Purse Revolver, Frankenau Pocketbook Revolver, Frankenau Patent Concealed Revolver
Overview
The Frankenau Purse Pistol is a 19th-century concealed pinfire revolver hidden inside what appears to be an ordinary small leather coin purse. Patented by Oscar Frankenau of Nuremberg in 1877, the five-shot revolver fires through a hinged plate covering the muzzle, with a folding trigger that drops through the bottom of the case so the gun can be discharged without ever opening the purse. One side of the purse retains working accordion pockets so it can still serve its nominal purpose, making it one of the most ingenious disguised personal-defense weapons of the Victorian era.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 200 g (7.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 89 mm (3.50") |
| Barrel Length | 25 mm (0.98") |
| Height | 64 mm (2.52") |
| Width | 20 mm (0.79") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Only |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Rotary |
| Muzzle Velocity | 150 m/s (492 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 29 J (21 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 3 m (3 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | None |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 6mm Pinfire · primary — also known as 6mm a broche, 6mm Lefaucheux
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Pinfire Cylinder
- Features: Concealed In Coin Purse, Folding Trigger, Hinged Muzzle Cover, Fires Without Opening Case, Integral Ejector Rod, Pinfire Ignition, No Sights
Service history
Operators
- Civilian personal defense
Production
Estimated total produced: 200 · Production years: 1877-1890
Approximately 200 made in Germany; marketed as a pocketbook revolver in the US and a purse revolver in England.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Oscar Frankenau
Discontinued: 1890
Notes
Sources most commonly describe the chambering as 5mm pinfire; 6mm pinfire examples are also reported. Only roughly 200 were produced and surviving examples are extremely rare. The purse body measures about 2.5 by 3.5 inches.
Background
Designed in 1877 for ladies' personal protection, the Frankenau let its owner fire on an assailant while the weapon still looked like a harmless coin purse, the trigger folding discreetly out of the bottom and the muzzle hidden behind a sprung cover.