An “Apache revolver” used by early 1900s French gangsters, the weapon worked as a gun, knife and brass knuckles all at the same time.
These knuckle duster revolvers were sold by Frenchman Louis Dolne in the late 1860s and combine a pinfire pepperbox style revolver with folding brass knuckles for a grip and a 3 1/2 inch kris style folding dagger.
There is no barrel or sights, so range is very limited. The brass knuckles and blade also clearly indicate there were designed to be used at extremely close range, ostensibly for self-defense.
With the blade and knuckles folded down, the revolver could easily be concealed in a coat pocket. The Apache nickname originates from a group of well-known members of the French criminal sub-culture in the early 20th century said to prefer these revolvers as well as garrotting and general brute force when mugging their victims.
