Firstly please ignore the price, this is available by private negotiation only. Now read on....

Cased Hopkins & Allen Manufacturing Company Revolver XL No 3, Pat March 1871, issued 27th August 1875 Pat 27th May 1879, Five Shot, .32 Rimfire Derringer. The case, by repute, is a Titanic Flare Pistol case.

The Revolver

Hopkins & Allen were major American arms makers from 1868 to 1915 in Norwich Connecticut, USA. The produced a large line of 'Suicide Specials' spur -trigger revolvers. They were the largest manufacturers of high grade, popular priced firearms in the world. The majority of their products were sold to special order for large companies such as the White Star Line.

The revolver - marked XL No 3 Pat March 1871 - was issued to George Fredrick Bull in March 1912 by the White Star Line for his own protection, bearing the White Star Bargee and forged on the hexagonal barrel the following inscription "From MCP to GFB Titanic Coal Strike". Inscribed on the butt, the Southampton telephone number "Southampton Office 5111".

The revolver is fitted with its original lanyard in merchant marine blue and white. There is a brass disc bearing the White Star Flag, the engraved lines painted in red and white. On this is inscribed in brass RMS Titanic George Fredrick Bull, on the reverse is printed "If found contact Purchasing Dept. 14 Leadenhall St. London, EO3 Tel. Royal 9150".

The gun has its own presentation box in wood and brass, in the centre of the box, in between two brass straps, is inscribed in brass the White Star Flag and logo, under that is RMS Titanic.

The History

This gun, along with the other Derringer revolver issued to Mr R McPherson, were to be used for their own protection when they were supervising the collection of black leg coal from Wales to the White Star coaling yards in Wallasey, Birkenhead, Liverpool to enable RMS Titanic to meet its sailing date of 10th April 1912 at 12 noon.

Mr McPherson was the manager of the White Star coaling yards. Mr Bull was the Chief Clark responsible for supervising valuables, up to date passenger lists and of course the arrivals of the coal trains. Mr Bull claimed to be the last White Star Line employee to leave RMS Titanic before she sailed at noon.

A third Derringer was issued to Mr R Barker, the second purser, who drowned in the Titanic sinking. It lies on the seabed.

Both Mr Bull and Mr R McPherson were employed by the American Line transferring to the White Star Line in 1907, then to Cunard when it purchased the White Star Line in 1933. They were then employed by the White Star Cunard Line until their retirement in 1947.

On that date, after 47 years, with the company Sir Percy E Bates Bart. GBE presented them with the guns and gun boxes, it still retains the original key and brass fob.

The fob states "Presented to Mr G. F. Bull after 47 years service with the White Star Cunard Line Co. Ltd. Sir Percy E. Bates, GBE Chairman of the Cunard Steam Ship Co. Ltd. Provenance by descent.

An existing original photograph shows Bull, McPherson and Sir Percy E Bates at Bulls retirement ceremony in 1947 where he received the Coal Strike pistol in a Titanic Flare pistol box which was used aboard the ship but taken onto a lifeboat when it contained a flare pistol.

Further Information About Bull

Bull started life working for the coal board but having moved to Southampton wished to work on Ocean liners, he took a pay cut to join the American Line. He sailed to America on several occasions and his Discharge book indicates he served with Captain Smith (which I have) aboard the Adriatic.  This line was incorporated with the White star line in 1907.

In 1908 Bull moved to the drawing office in Southampton and at some point married Clarissa who had been in charge of that office.

In 1911 a national coal strike affected the shipping lines, so that by March 1912 the Titanic was not able to undertake the first sailing to New York due to the fuel shortage. Bull and others sailed to Wallasey to obtain coal by force. This was achieved but Bull sustained injuries and returned to Southampton and left the ship to go to Southampton General Hospital.

He subsequently rose to become purchasing manager and was based in London and Manchester.  During the 1930s business slumped and he had the idea of taking Scholar educational trips. Papers survive listing him as the organisor aboard the SS Dorric.

During the war years Bull won an award for turning shipping around in record time in Manchester. Some documents from that time exist as well as his hat, briefcase and named suitcase.

Sensible offers invited. Initial contact by email only to

enquiries@antiques-storehouse.co.uk

Viewing by advanced appointment only as it is kept in the bank vault.

Please note, this is a live weapon and importation to other countries will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

For further images please see http://www.milweb.net/webverts/49162/