New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-10
RARE LOT OF FIREARMS.
Jacob Steiner Has $50 Pistols Worth
5000.

A collection of rare pistols. said by experts to
be one of the most complete in this country. if
not in the world is now in possession Of Jacob
Steiner, OF No. 1S2 Lincoln Place. Brooklyn
Mr.. Steiner says that his collection, which
represents about twenty years Of work. num-
bers more than four hundred and fifty pieces He
values It at about $4,000. In getting it together
the collectors ambition has not been to see
how many old weapons he could accumulate,
but to select only the finest and rarest speci-
mems, the whole affording comprehensive idea
of the evolution of the small arm
One Of the choicest pieces in the whole coIec-
ton is a little japanese weapon about six inches
long. This is styled a hard cannon and is sup
posed to be five hundred years old It is said to be
the Oldest type of frearm known. 1t is cast in
bronze and is ornanented in relief with jap
anese dragon. Its short, carved stock is inlaid
with ivory dots. This little weapon. which was
made before gunlocks were known, was fired
by q fuse held in the hand Mr.. Steiner de-
cIares that experts in Yokohoma said they had
never before seen so old a specimen OF hrearrn-
Another interesting piece is an antique Ger
man hintIock powder tester. This instrument
looks something like the pipe wrench OF the
modern plumber 1t has a circular indexed
plate which turns when the explosion Of the
powder takes place, indicating the strength OF
the charge Another antique japanese piece OF
much interest is a matchbox pistol OF bronze
said 20 have been used only by the nobllty-
This weapon is artist!cany finished. bearing
JaDanese dragon with helmet and spike, the
claw of the dragon hanging over one side OF the
stock. There is silver sunburst on the grip
The niece has a cannon muzzle and peculiar
trigger without guard.
One Of the oldest and most formidable look
ing veapons in the whole collection is big
fifteenth century combination battle axe ana
matchbox pistol of German origin After hrlng
8 shot from this weapon it was possible tor the
possessor Of it to turn it around and make an
axe of it. or, if he preferred he could unscre"
& handle at the end of the muzzle and work WIN
ma dagger thus revealed. Another interesting
German specimen of the sixteenth century is
g wheeIIock pistol inlaid with ivory
OF the English made weapons in the collec-
1ion one of the most interesting is an old super
posed fintIock pistol, having flash pans on ellner
side of the barrels This weapon, which Is OF eA-
~ fine workmanship was made by Wilson OF
London. It's barrels are inlaid with gold. us
trigger guards are curiously engraved Another
interesting old English piece is three-barrelled
brass fintlook pistol having only one hammer.
Two of the barrels are side by side and the
third below This weapon has safety hammer
catch and a ring on the outside of the lock- useo
for turning the fash pan to ignite the powder
when firing either one Of the barrels In aooi-
ton. this weapon has also dagger peneaIn Ihe
barrels released by the pressure Of spring ano
intended for use in an emergency when the
pistol has been emptied of its contents
Still another interesting English piece Is a
tvzo-barreHed revolving superposed nhuocA'
having only single hammer. This weapon has
a safety catch on top Of the fash pan above
each barrel, and by pulling the trigger GUARDS