peashooter85:The rare and bizarre Bayle Wallet Pistol,Back in the day creating small compact multi-s
peashooter85:The rare and bizarre Bayle Wallet Pistol,Back in the day creating small compact multi-shot firearms was very difficult, especially in terms of bulk. Most pistols of the day were revolvers and of course the cylinder of a revolver adds extra bulk to a pistol, making it harder to carry concealed. One solution to this problem was the Bayle Wallet Pistol, invented in 1879. Rather than having a cylinder, the Bayle pistol had six separate chambers and barrels which were stacked vertically. To load the pistol the folded open to the side, exposing the breech and allowing for six 5mm centerfire cartridges. There were six separate firing pins, which was cocked and discharged one at a time with each pull of the double action trigger. Because of its thin frame and small size the Bayle was able to be concealed within a wallet, thus lending its name. Unfortunately the design never caught on as it was too bizarre and much more expensive than the common pocket revolver or derringer. Very few were made and very few still exist. -- source link