Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! This factory-engraved Lindsay two-shot pistol represents one of the 19th century’s most ambitious failures – an attempt to cram two shots into a single barrel using “superposed loads.” Only a few hundred were made by Union Knife Company in the early 1860s, and handling one reveals exactly why the concept never caught on.
The story behind John P. Lindsay’s design is pure frontier tragedy. After his brother was killed in a Native American attack – facing two assailants with only one shot in his musket – Lindsay became obsessed with creating a multi-shot weapon that could fire twice without reloading. His solution was to stack two complete charges in the barrel, with the second bullet serving as a gas seal to prevent both charges from firing simultaneously.
In theory, it was brilliant. In practice, it was terrifying. The slightest imperfection in loading could cause both charges to ignite at once, turning your pistol into a hand grenade. The 16th Michigan Volunteers learned this lesson the hard way when they were issued Lindsay rifle-muskets in 1864. Multiple discharges were so common that the weapons regularly destroyed themselves, along with whatever was left of the soldier’s hands.
This example shows the optimism that went into Lindsay’s venture before reality set in. The factory engraving is surprisingly elaborate – floral scrollwork on the brass frame, even a lion for good measure. Someone clearly expected these guns to sell well enough to justify the decorative treatment. The “Young America” name captured mid-19th century innovation – the belief that American ingenuity could solve any problem, even the fundamental physics of controlled explosions.
Most of our POTDs utilize images from our friends at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms auction in the United States. Take some time to browse their current auctions – who knows, maybe you’ll find a piece of history to take home!
“Factory Engraved Lindsay ‘Young-America’ Two-Shot Pocket Pistol.” Rock Island Auction, www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4095/91/factory-engraved-lindsay-youngamerica-twoshot-pocket-pistol. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025.
