Serial # 4450 7mm caliber. The book entitled "Firearms Curiosa" contains the most information available on these highly unusual an desirable weapons. "Well known during the 'Gay 90's' in France, was the rather controversial 'dance' which became known as the 'Apache' which also became popular at the Moulin Rouge. It was a dance enacting a street fight between two men and a woman, which had taken place nearby in this rough area of Paris known as the Montmarte district. As often the case it seems, the words of a local journalist described the fury of the altercation as recalling the ferocity of the Apache Indian tribes of the American Southwest in battle, and the term became instantly adopted by these gangs of toughs. In the bravado recalling the event, reenactment in the form of dance brought the dance style that became known also by the name. One of the most unique weapons used by these early gang members was the odd combination revolver which was comprised of a small caliber (usually 7mm or .27 cal. pinfire) revolver with the grip replaced with knuckleduster (brass knuckles) and a small bayonet ...all of which folded up for easy concealment. While it seems most references to the term 'Apaches' applied to these gangs would place them circa 1880's, these sans-barrel revolvers seem to date as early as 1870's. They may have evolved from the small pinfire pepperbox revolvers combined with earlier French Lefaucheaux revolvers which had collapsible bayonets. The depradations of these Apache gangs seems to have carried well into the first quarter of the 20th century, at least in this particular sense. In a New York Times article of Sept. 1900, it is noted that bystanders near one of these groups "..all remained at a safe distance and held in awe, by the revolvers of three of the desperadoes". Interestingly the knuckleduster or brass knuckles were termed by them 'American punches', the Apache name from the well known American Indian tribe, and the apparent influence (as noted by the 1900 news item) was gangs in New York some 10 to 15 years earlier. The fold-up guns became known colloquially as the 'deadly flower' probably from that concealable feature. While we know that these were certainly used by these toughs, it seems that law abiding citizens who were constantly preyed upon probably took to using them as well. The difficulties with gun control seem to have been as much present then as today, and of course carrying firearms was prohibited. It would appear that the gunmakers of Liege in particular DOLNE produced well made examples from 1873-1881, with an 1869 patent. Another example produced in c.1870 by another Liege maker J. Deleaxhe is discussed in "Man at Arms" magazine (July 1978, p.24). The presence of the gangs, of course, simply diffused into less colorfully accoutered crime, and the dramatic dance routine prevailed, being seen in many movies from silents into major Hollywood productions with French theme. These strange combination revolvers seem quite rare and to well retain their formidability more in remarkable prices as unique novelties, with their rather dark history less well known." (The above quote was taken from well-written article of internet source). The offered revolver retains approximately 90% of the original factory nickel finish with fire blue hinge. The knife blade measures 3-1/2". Features a folding trigger. Fully operational. Manufactured by "L. DOLNE INX". Extremely rare and desirable antique weapon.