This single shot pistol chambered in .32 Rimfire was made around 1861. The barrel is 3" long and the side opening breech block is marked “ROLLIN WHITE ARMS CO. LOWELL MASS. PATENTED APRIL 13, 1858.  

These pistols was made alongside Rollin White’s .22RF pocket revolver. About 3000 of this type were made including 200 – 300 larger pistols in .38RF with 5” barrels. Originally the brass frame would have been finished in silver although there were some pistols made with an iron frame and blued finish.

The serial No. 253 is stamped on the frame at the bottom of the grip, on the end of breechblock, on the underside of the barrel and inside one of the wooden grips