Sold for $7,800

.32RF Extra Short. 1.625" two-stage round barrel. SN: 4839. Blued finish with checkered hard rubber side plate inserts and palm pad. Squeeze cocking seven shot rotating magazine palm pistol with original box and cleaning brush. Left side plate marked in a circle CHICAGO FIREARMS CO. CHICAGO ILL. with the right side plate marked in a circle THE PROTECTOR PAT. MCH. 6. 83. AUG. 29. 93. Matching serial number 4839 inside both side plates and on rotating magazine. First patented in France by Jacques Turbiaux in 1882 and sold as "Le Protector", the patents of this design were purchased by Peter H. Finnegan, who would sell them under the auspices of his Chicago Fire Arms Company. Finnegan signed a contract with the famed Ames Sword Company to manufacture these unique little guns, agreeing that the latter would produce 15,000 examples. After Ames failed to make an unreasonable deadline, a legal battle with Finnegan ensued. It is estimated that Ames ultimately produced approximately 12,800 examples. This example is accompanied by the very rarely encountered original brown wood grain paper covered pasteboard box with the the cover graphic depicting the pistol in use and listing the various attributes and features of the somewhat unique design. The original cleaning brush is included in the box as well. A very scarce and incredibly high condition example of one of the more desirable pieces of late 19th century curiosa.