Ethan Allen Pepperbox

[Over_Kill]

Was at my buddy's house this afternoon, and met his new neighbor. His neighbor moved in a few months ago, and because the weather was nice today, decided to start cleaning up the yard.

He found an old pistol, under some old bricks and about 2-3 inches of dirt.

Pics:

After some searching on the web, I've identified it as an Allen Pepperbox Pistol (I think). Manufactured between 1837 and 1845.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Allen_(armsmaker)

Clearly, it rusted to hell. The trigger does move, and the hammer does start to rise, but I didn't want to pull too hard. I've checked online forums in the States, and it appears one of these pistols in GOOD/EXCELLENT shape can go for between $1,200 and $2,400 US$.

Firstly, is this rusted-out thing worth anything at all? Or is it junk?

Secondly, if I were to clean it up for him, how would I go about it? Gentle wire/brass brush to get the loose rust off, etc.... what steps should I follow? I realize that even IF I can get most of the rust off, the metal will likely be very pitted.

Lastly, the guy who found it in his new yard doens't have a firearms licence. This is clearly an antique (percussion-cap fired), what are the rules for keeping an antique without a licence.... ?

I know, a lot of questions, but would appreciate any help that you can provide.

Thanks!

Battle Beaver

 

[BlackPowderBurner]

I'm going to say you should look up doing some sessions of home brew electrolysis after soaking it in a tub of evaporust then a tub of penetrating oil. It may be safe to fire or it may clean up into a nice paperweight... depends on the amount of corrosion on the internals and inside the barrels. Check out the youtube channel ProtoOrdnance for some inspiration, he has brought guns back to shootable from conditions like this.
h ttps://www.youtube.com/user/77ratduster

If this all seems like too much work I'd be happy to take the project on (and shoot some coin your buddy's way)

 

[rgbai]

looks like a Manhattan pepperbox to me. and it looks like it might clean up good and actually work
antique no need to register it and no license needed

this is mine you cant see it in the picture but mine has a large crack down the barrel

 

[MC One Shot]

Interesting find. My first impression is that I am not sure that its been out there that long. Quite possibly that it was buried when the laws were changing in Canada and some one did not want to deal with it.

Keep digging there may be more......

 

[mooncoon]

As it sits, I would pay about $25 for it. Does he require a license; no; antiques are exempt from registration and from possession licenses under CC84-1(a) cc84-3 and SOR 98-464. how would I clean it? I would remove the wooden grips (probably have to drill the screw out) and soak it in evaporust , checking regularly for the level of rust removed. Next step would be disassembling the components which would probably require soaking in a good penetrating oil plus heat and lots of cursing. It would also mean probably having to drill the nipples out and rethreading the cylinder to accept a slightly larger thread. Think in terms of one or a series of home made taps and lathe turned nipples. The gun does not look all of that rusty, considering its age and looks like it has only been buried for 10 or 15 years or buried in a semi dry location

cheers mooncoon