Elgar and Smith were doctors in the town of Mineral Point in the 1840s and partner
in a lead mine and a zinc fondery.
.32 caliber percussion, with 3 5" barrels, frame marked W.M. ELGAR & R.M. SMITH/MINERAL POINT, WISC. A kind of Pepperbox revolver with fixed barrel and hand rotating cylinder.
see picture
The cylinder, a kind of cloverleaf with a total of 9 chambers, with 3 chambers corresponding to each of the 3 barrels.
It was therefore possible to shoot 3 times with 3 rounds each. 3 or 9 shot revolver depending on your point of view.
After each shot, the next loaded cylinder was hand rotated in place for firing. The pistol used a percussion system
with one central nipple. So after each shot a new percussion cap had to be placed on the nipple before firing.
Made also rifles of same pattern.
Their arms were tried at the Washington Navy Yard in 1856 without success. During the test, experienced officers missed all their targets. It is believed that only 10 pistols or rifles were ever produced.
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