Rupertus Pocket Revolver
Rupertus Patented Pistol Manufacturing Company · Revolver · Discontinued · 1871
Also known as: Rupertus Empire, Rupertus Patent Revolver, Empire Model Revolver
Overview
The Rupertus Pocket Revolver is a single-action spur-trigger revolver chambered in .41 Short Rimfire, manufactured in Philadelphia by Jacob Rupertus in the early 1870s. A compact five-shot concealable handgun with a semi-fluted cylinder, short barrel, and bird's head walnut grips, it was marketed for civilian self-defense and pocket carry. Examples are marked 'EMPIRE PAT. NOV.21.71' on the barrel and 'J. RUPERTUS. PHILA.' on the side. Only about 700 were produced in .41 caliber, making surviving examples scarce.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 280 g (9.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Barrel Length | 51 mm (2.01") |
| Action Type | Single Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 130 m/s (427 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 71 J (52 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 10 m (11 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued Or Nickel |
Calibers
- .41 Short Rimfire · primary — also known as .41 Short, .41 Rimfire Short, .41 RF
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder
- Features: Spur Trigger, Birds Head Grip, Semi Fluted Cylinder, Single Action Only
Service history
Operators
- American civilian market · adopted 1871
Production
Estimated total produced: 700 · Production years: 1871-c.1880
Approximately 700 produced in .41 rimfire; the company operated 1859-1899 producing a range of pocket pistols and pepperboxes.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Jacob Rupertus
Discontinued: 1899
Notes
Production figures vary by source; roughly 700 were made in .41 rimfire. Barrel lengths around 2 to 2.9 inches are encountered, with blued or nickel-plated finishes and walnut or occasionally hard-rubber grips.
Background
Jacob Rupertus was a prolific Philadelphia gunmaker of the post-Civil War era, best remembered for his sophisticated multi-barrel pepperboxes; his spur-trigger pocket revolvers competed in the crowded American market for cheap, concealable rimfire self-defense guns.