Excellent 30 calibre rimfire knife pistol by Unwin & Rodgers with larger spear point blade etched “SELF / PROTECTOR” with an eagle and floral decoration at the spear point, manufactured circa 1870.

The tapered 3 3/8 inch octagonal German silver barrel in .30 rimfire calibre is Birmingham proofed, with brass sheathed folding trigger . On the left side of the barrel “UNWIN & RODGERS / PATENTEES SHEFFIELD” and on the right side “NON*XLL”. It has two folding spear point blades, both marked “NON.XXL / UNWIN & / RODGERS / PATENT”. The horn grip scales have a chequered panel at the rear, secured with rivets.

The top rear of the grip has a German silver hinged trap for rimfire cartridges. The larger blade is 3 ½ inch long and the smaller blade is 2 3/8 inches long.

Overall: Open 9 7/8 inches (25 cm) long. Closed 6 ½ inches (14 cm) long. Unwin & Rodgers, Sheffield, Yorkshire 1827-1868. Patented the “knife- pistol” in 1860, patent no. 2801.

Excellent condition overall, with minor blemishes on the blades. The best rimfire example that I have seen in more than forty five years of collecting and dealing.