Apache revolver
A multi-weapon revolver notorious among early 1900s French underworld figures.
The Apache revolver is a handgun that combines several weapons into one. It became infamous through its use by early 1900s French gang members called Les Apaches. The design originated in the 1860s, credited to Louis Dolne, and production lasted until the late 1870s.
This weapon works like a pepperbox revolver, firing pinfire cartridges. Its grip is a fold-over knuckle duster, and it includes a simple folding double-edged knife. Because it lacks a barrel, the gun has a very short effective range. All its parts can fold inward toward the cylinder, making it easy to hide in a pocket. Without a trigger guard or safety catch, users often left the chamber under the hammer empty. The revolver has no front or rear sights, so aiming is impossible; the cylinder itself provides the only barrel space. Despite these limits, it worked well at extremely close distances. To reload, the cylinder must be removed, filled with fresh cartridges, and put back.
A design flaw appears when opening the weapon: the barrel naturally points back toward the user’s knuckles. The user must first remove the knuckles, rotate the gun forward, and then fire. Some situations might not allow enough time for this complicated process.
A similar 9×19mm Parabellum revolver, known as Enfield project D.D.(E) 3313, was reportedly used by British Commandos during World War II, but production numbers and technical details remain undisclosed.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Belgium
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Designer
- Louis Dolne
- Design Date
- 1860
- Manufacturer
- L. Dolne à Liege
- Production Date
- 1869
- Variants
- 9×19mm Parabellum unofficial WWII British
- Weight
- 0.8lbs (385g)
- Length
- Folded, 4.3" (105mm); Unfolded, 7.8" (200mm) / Bayonet, 1.15" (29.21mm)
- Cartridge
- 7 mm Lefaucheux
- Caliber
- 7mm, .27cal.
- Action
- Double action only
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Apache revolver operates on the principle of a pepperbox revolver using a pinfire cartridge. It incorporates a fold-over knuckle duster forming the grip and a rudimentary foldout dual-edged knife. Due to the lack of a barrel, the revolver's effective range is very limited. Since its component parts can be folded inward towards the cylinder, it is easily concealable inside a pocket. It was common to leave an empty chamber with no cartridge under the hammer, as the weapon has no trigger guard or safety catch. The weapon cannot be aimed accurately because of its lack of front or rear sights and uses only the short space in the cylinder as a barrel. Despite its limited potential, the revolver was effective at extremely close range. For reloading, the cartridge cylinder must be removed, refilled, and replaced. The revolver also has a design constraint when opening the barrel: by default the barrel points back toward the knuckles of the user. Thus, the user has to remove the knuckles, rotate the gun to point forward to the target, and then shoot. Certain defense scenarios might not accord the liberty of time to perform such an involved maneuver.
Reader's Guide
The Apache revolver is significant as a distinctive example of a multi-function concealable weapon, reflecting the needs of its era's criminal underworld. Its design—combining a revolver, knuckle duster, and knife into a single folding package—illustrates a pragmatic approach to personal defense at extremely close quarters. The weapon's limitations, such as its lack of a barrel, sights, trigger guard, and safety catch, as well as the awkward unfolding procedure, highlight the trade-offs made for concealability and intimidation. A 9×19mm Parabellum revolver of similar design (designation: Enfield project D.D.(E) 3313) was allegedly used by British Commandos during World War II, though exact statistics about production numbers and technical details have as yet remained undisclosed to the public. This later connection suggests that the concept of a compact, multi-purpose revolver continued to attract interest beyond its original 19th-century context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Apache revolver?
The Apache revolver is a compact, multi-function handgun from the 1860s that merges a barrelless pepperbox firearm, a knuckle duster, and a folding blade into one pocket-sized device. It gained notoriety for its use by Les Apaches, a French criminal gang active in the early 1900s.
Who designed the Apache revolver?
Louis Dolne is credited with the original design in the 1860s. The weapon stayed in production until the late 1870s before being discontinued.
What features does the Apache revolver combine?
It integrates a pepperbox-style pinfire firearm, a fold-over knuckle duster that serves as the grip, and a rudimentary double-edged folding knife. Every component tucks inward toward the cylinder so the whole assembly can be slipped into a pocket.
How does the Apache revolver fire and what is its range?
It uses a pepperbox mechanism to discharge pinfire cartridges, but because it has no barrel, the effective range is extremely short. This made it a close-quarters weapon intended for sudden, up-close confrontations.
Why is the Apache revolver notable in firearm history?
Its all-in-one concealable design made it a popular sidearm among Les Apaches, a band of early-1900s French gangsters, and it stands out as a rare 19th-century example of a multi-tool handgun. The combination of gun, bludgeon, and blade in a single folding package is unusual even by Victorian-era standards.
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