THE TRAIL LIVE
LIVE: Accused Charlie Kirk killer in court, Tyler Robinson evidentiary hearing
Join WFLA's JB Biunno and Josh Scott as they react to Tyler Robinson's, the man charged with the killing of Charlie Kirk, evidentiary hearing on 4/17/26 at 12:00 pm ET. The hearing is to determine the extent of media/camera access during the case. Joining JB and Josh is Emily D. Baker of the "EmilyDBaker" YouTube channel. Use #HeyJB, #HeyEmily, and #HeyJosh to get your questions and comments
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A palm pistol, or "squeeze pistol," is a unique, highly compact type of firearm designed in the late 19th century to be concealed within the palm and fired by squeezing a lever, rather than pulling a traditional trigger. Primarily popular for self-defense between the 1880s and 1910s, these weapons were held with the barrel extending between the user's fingers.
Historical Context and Famous Models
- The Protector (1882): Invented by French inventor Jacques Edmond Turbiaux, this was the original "Le Protector" palm pistol. It was designed for close-range personal protection.
- Chicago Protector (1892): Peter H. Finnegan of the Chicago Fire Arms Company bought the patent and engaged the Ames Sword Co. to produce it for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.
- Le Gaulois (1893-1912): A competitor "squeeze" pistol made in France, often featuring an internal magazine.
- Unique Palm Pistol (1901-1915): A four-barreled variant patented by Oscar F. Mossberg.
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Operation and Features
- Firing Mechanism: The gun is held in a fist, with a lever at the rear. Squeezing the hand moves the lever inwards, which rotates an internal disc cylinder and fires the cartridge.
- Concealment: These guns were typically small, circular, and often nickel-plated, resembling a pocket watch.
- Capacity: Often featured a 7-shot capacity (depending on model) of small-caliber ammunition, usually .32 Rimfire Extra Short or similar.
- Advantages/Disadvantages: They were incredibly easy to conceal and safe for the user, but they lacked accuracy and significant stopping power, and they were slow to reload compared to later pistols.
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Modern Revival and Similar Devices
- Constitution Arms Palm Pistol: A modern, single-shot DAO (Double Action Only) palm pistol designed by Matthew Carmel. It is chambered in .38 Special and is aimed at seniors or individuals with limited hand strength or arthritis.
- Sedgley Fist Gun (1944): A WWII-era device used for close-quarters fighting. Rock Island Auction +4
Palm pistols fell out of favor around the 1910s due to the rise of reliable, more powerful, and faster-reloading semi-automatic pocket pistols. Today, they are prized by collectors of antique and unusual firearms. Rock Island Auction