Cased Six-Barreled Revolving Percussion Pistol ("Pepperbox")

Cased Six-Barreled Revolving Percussion Pistol ("Pepperbox")

Ethan Allen

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Invented by the gunmaker Ethan Allen, the pepperbox was the most popular multishot firearm in America and Europe prior to the introduction of Samuel Colt's revolver.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Cased Six-Barreled Revolving Percussion Pistol ("Pepperbox")Cased Six-Barreled Revolving Percussion Pistol ("Pepperbox")Cased Six-Barreled Revolving Percussion Pistol ("Pepperbox")Cased Six-Barreled Revolving Percussion Pistol ("Pepperbox")Cased Six-Barreled Revolving Percussion Pistol ("Pepperbox")

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.