help to identify a private purchase pocket knife

[Lewis T]

I recently acquired this knife ,the previous owner thought it was an escape and evasion private purchase knife as it has [see last two pics]a slide that comes out that holds a strip of percussion caps similar to those used in vintage cap guns which when placed in the firing mechanism on the opposite side and the trigger released will fire .hence he thought a small pistol.

My thoughts are ???

private purchase by a cavalry officer who [as the knife is of an equine type]used the blank firing pistol to assess or train horses reaction to a gun shot before going to the front ?

Any help of ideas would be appreciated

[alastaircox]

Looks like a late C19th R. Turner & Co combination knife/percussion pistol. There were several different types from different makers available from around 1860.

[alastaircox]

http://www.horstheld.com/0-Turner.htm

[Lewis T]

thank you Alastair for that ,I have been in touch with him in the USA and he gave me some very useful information regarding these[rare]items and an approx. value, although I am happy to hang onto it in my own collection .It is late 19c and made by Mappin & Webb Sheffield

Lewis