Description:

Antique James Rodgers "Self Protector" Etched Blade Percussion Pistol-Knife. This is a particularly FINE condition example of a James Rodgers Marked Percussion Pistol-Knife, with an etched primary blade that reads SELF PROTECTOR. The pistol is about 6.375” in overall length with the blades folded and has a 3.3125” octagonal barrel with a nominally .30 caliber smooth bore. The barrel in unmarked other than a set of post-1813 Birmingham commercial proof marks. The pistol knife has two blades. The primary is a double-edged spear-point blade that measures 3.5” in length and is slightly more than 0.5” wide. The blade has a prominent medial ridge and is acid etched with the reverse with the legend SELF / PROTECTOR with the words above and below the ridge. The reverse ricasso of the primary blade is stamped in three lines: JAMES / RODGERS / SHEFFIELD. The smaller blade is a is a single-edged drop point blade that measures 2.5” in length and is 0.25” wide. This blade is undecorated and has the same three line stamp on the reverse ricasso as the larger blade. With the larger blade deployed, the overall length of the pistol knife is about 10”. The knife pistol retains its original steel tweezers and the original bullet mold in their storage compartments in the butt and has a fully functional butt trap to store projectiles, Caliber/ Gauge: .30 cal; Serial Number: NSN Working Order: Firearm has not been tested; Background Check: Not Required; Keywords: Firearms, Guns; Ref: BD1836

  • Dimensions: 3.3125" barrel;
  • Exhibited: ***FFL Required For All Firearms Manufactured After 1898: Out-of-State Buyers Firearms must be shipped through our 3rd Party Shipper Westside Mail Center and ALL Firearms Manufactured After 1898 must be shipped to a valid holder of a Federal Firearms License. BEFORE PLACING BIDS ON FIREARMS, CHECK YOUR STATE AND COUNTY LAWS TO VERIFY THE FIREARM IS LEGAL IN YOUR STATE. It is the Bidders responsibility to know or verify the legality of a specific Firearm or Magazine prior to placing any bids. FIREARMS UNABLE TO BE SHIPPED TO YOUR STATE WILL RESULT IN A REFUND MINUS A 25% RESTOCKING FEE AND SHIPPING COSTS IF APPLICABLE; Local Arizona Buyers MUST have a Valid ARIZONA ID with a Current Physical Address and MUST complete all necessary background and registration forms at Bradford's Auction Gallery Firearms Manufactured After 1898. ANY DENIED BACKGROUND CHECK WILL RESULT IN A REFUND MINUS A 25% RESTOCKING FEE ****;
  • Circa: 19th Century
  • Notes: The concept of the personal protection knife pistol was truly refined in England by the partnership of James Rodgers and Philip Unwin, a pair of Sheffield based cutlers in the county of Yorkshire. Unwin joined Rodgers’ very successful knife-making firm in 1828. Rodgers had made a name for himself producing a large array of “Bowie” style knives for the domestic English market, but in particular for export to the United States. The firm had trademarked the NON*XLL mark, intended to be said aloud as “non-excel”, suggesting there was no peer to their products. Between the two partners they developed and patented a system to combine a single-shot percussion pistol with typical folding pocketknife. The year after the partnership was created, Rodgers died, and Unwin continued to run the business until it failed in the late 1860s. Initially the firm was located at 7 Charles Street (from about 1827) and moved to 23 Burgess Street around 1840. In 1862 it moved to 124 Rockingham Street where it remained until it went out of business. The 1828 Sheffield business director listed the firm as follows: “Unwin and Rodgers, manufacturers of pen, pocket and desk knives, pearl sides, clasps, buckles, and in a great variety. 7 Charles Street.” In 1841, the directories further noted the firm were “manufacturers of spring knife cutlery, including lancets, scissor knives and pen machines, pistol knives, American and Indian hunting and self-defense knives.” Their percussion knife pistol was one of the mainstays of their product line by the early 1840s and in 1861 they received British Patent #2801 for a cartridge version. The knife pistols were produced in a variety of sizes and caliber, ranging typically from about .25 to .35 with the larger knives being mated with larger pistols. The guns were single action, percussion muzzleloading firearms with a folding trigger that was concealed in the bottom of the knife. Typically, the pistol-knife included two folding blades, a primary and a smaller secondary blade. Tools including a bullet mold and a set of tweezers were usually provided and stored in the butt of the knife and a storage compartment for projectiles was usually provided in the butt. Grip scales were normally of horn and secured by pins. Barrels were normally octagonal in cross section and were made of iron with German silver type plating. Bolsters were normally of German silver as well. While pistol knives are not completely uncommon on the collector market today, high condition examples with no significant damage or restoration are rare. In particular, finding an example without significant damage or repair to the horn grip scales is quite difficult. Due to their regular carry in pockets, they were often jostled, dinged and dropped, resulting in heavy wear.
  • Condition: This pistol/knife is in great condition with signs of wear commensurate with age and use. The etching on the blade is extremely faint. Please review the photos for details.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

LOCAL PICK-UP INFORMATION:
Monday through Wednesday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
LOCATION: 15210 N 99th Ave Sun City, AZ 85351
CROSS STREET: (Located at the NW Corner of 99th Ave and Greenway Rd)

LOCAL PICK UP - ARIZONA FIREARMS BUYERS
Arizona residents MUST pick-up in person at Bradford's Auction Gallery with a scheduled date of pick up. Details and information will be included on the winning bidders invoice. Any local Arizona Buyer of Post 1898 firearms MUST complete all necessary registration forms at Bradford's Auction Gallery. Local Buyers MUST have a Valid ARIZONA ID with Current Physical Address. If your Arizona ID does not reflect your current address you MUST provide us with a secondary form of ID that contains your correct address. Arizona Gun Dealers must have a signed copy of their Federal Firearms License in order to accept delivery of modern weapons. ANY DENIED BACKGROUND CHECK WILL RESULT IN A REFUND MINUS A 25% RESTOCKING FEE.

OUT OF TOWN SHIPPING:
For out of town buyers, once we have received your payment your purchase will be turned over to Westside Mail Center our exclusive shipping provider. Westside Mail Center will proactively reach out to you to arrange packing, shipping and insurance.

OUT OF TOWN SHIPPING FIREARMS BUYERS:
Shipping for Out-of-State Buyers must be done through our 3rd Party Shipper Westside Mail Center. All firearms Post 1898 must be shipped to a valid holder of a Federal Firearms License on ALL Modern Weapons. The full cost of shipping and packing will be at the winning bidders / buyers expense. It is your responsibility to provide Westside Mail Center with the FFL dealer of your choice and they are responsible for sending the 3rd party shipper a copy of their FFL information. FIREARMS UNABLE TO BE SHIPPED TO YOUR STATE WILL RESULT IN A REFUND MINUS A 25% RESTOCKING FEE AND SHIPPING COSTS IF APPLICABLE.

We've Partnered with Westside Mail Center for all of your auction shipping needs. They offer FedEx, DHL, UPS and USPS services for most parcels. For those larger items, Packing, Shipping, Crating & Freight services are available. For questions related to shipping please feel free to contact them directly for shipping questions or quotes.

Westside Mail Center
13794 W Waddell Rd Suite 203, Surprise, AZ 85379
Mon-Fri 9am - 6pm, Saturdays 9am - 2pm , Closed Sundays.
Phone: 623-825-6016
Email: [email protected]
www.westsidemailcenter.com

Note: For fastest and best results on shipping, we recommend using Westside Mail Center as your shipper, but are happy to meet with your 3rd party shipper of choice if you prefer to use a shipper other than Westside Mail Center. All packing and shipping from any company besides Westside Mail Center must be arranged and coordinated by the winning bidder / buyer within 5 days from the date of the sale or an additional storage surcharge could apply.

All fees and costs associated with shipping are separate from the hammer price (winning bid), buyer's premium and sales taxes. The winning bidder / buyer is solely responsible for the shipping. Bradford's can assist the winning bidder / buyer by arranging shipping and insurance through our preferred shipper. The winning bidder / buyer has the right to arrange their own shipping with a 3rd party shipper at their own expense. Bradford's Auction Gallery reserves the right to ship parcels via our own in-house shipping methods, based on actual weight or dimensional weight (whichever is greater).

The designated 3rd party shipper will ship to the address provided on the winning bidder / buyers invoice. It is the winning bidder / buyers responsibility to communicate with the shipper and provide any specific shipping requirements, address information or details that will ensure proper delivery.

The winning bidder is responsible for understanding the import fees and import laws of their respective province/state/country. It is also the bidder's responsibility to obtain any and all import documentation (import/export licenses, certificates or other documentation) prior to bidding.

Bradford's

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $5
$100 $199 $10
$200 $999 $20
$1,000 $4,999 $50
$5,000 $9,999 $100
$10,000 + $200