Pepper-box

<p>The pepper-box pistol or simply pepperbox (also "pepper-pot", from its resemblance to the household <a href="/facts/Salt_and_pepper_shakers/mhfnpwN3">pepper shakers</a>) is a <a href="/facts/Multiple-barrel_firearm/2kwqUGeo">multiple-barrel firearm</a>, mostly in the form of a <a href="/facts/Handgun/Vz25G3C4">handgun</a>, that has three or more <a href="/facts/Gun_barrel/bPyBmQek">gun barrels</a> each holding a <a href="/facts/Single_shot/sbk1Pdjo">single shot</a>. The barrels are fired in sequence by a rotating firing mechanism or, more typically, by rotating the entire barrel assembly to bring each barrel in line with a single <a href="/facts/Lock_(firearm)/w6LE1N8R">lock</a> or <a href="/facts/Hammer_(firearms)/ATkvxmp9">hammer</a>, similar to rotation of a <a href="/facts/Revolver/Kxsr0fpq">revolver</a>'s <a href="/facts/Cylinder_(firearms)/3bAssURv">cylinder</a>.
</p><p>Pepperbox guns have existed for all types of <a href="/facts/Firelock/w6LE1N8R">firelock</a> firearms and metal-cased <a href="/facts/Ammunition/ajd1wm1I">ammunition</a> systems used in <a href="/facts/Breechloading/bCzCKg7n">breechloading</a> firearms: <a href="/facts/Matchlock/2ppK74kP">matchlock</a>, <a href="/facts/Wheellock/cHgsoFmY">wheellock</a>, <a href="/facts/Flintlock/DQ2jMARj">flintlock</a>, <a href="/facts/Caplock/kvj5E8ac">caplock</a>, <a href="/facts/Pinfire/0grMx9c0">pinfire</a>, <a href="/facts/Rimfire_ammunition/sASNrUSk">rimfire</a>, and <a href="/facts/Centerfire/wIFQHggu">centerfire</a>. The weight of multiple barrels could make the weapon unwieldy and restricted most to the form of <a href="/facts/Sidearm_(weapon)/3C7xNT0Y">sidearms</a> intended for self-defence, though a few <a href="/facts/Long_gun/MQwcenpv">long guns</a> were also made. Popular in the mid-19th century, the design has occasionally been revived for specialty applications.
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Pepper-box open-in-new

Pepper-box