EIG Model E-18 .22 LR Four-Barrel Pepperbox Pistol – Pre-1968 Italian Import, Nickel Finish
This EIG Model E-18 is a four-shot, double-action pepperbox pistol manufactured in Italy in 1962 and imported to the United States before the 1968 Gun Control Act. Collectors appreciate its bright nickel finish, vertically stacked four-barrel cluster, and Italian proof marks, all of which remain intact on this scarce, zinc-alloy pocket gun popularly nicknamed the “Italian Brownie.”
Condition
Overall Condition: Poor condition.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: External surfaces show noticeable handling marks and finish wear. The pistol is currently non-functional; the trigger and disconnect require polishing and adjustment by a qualified gunsmith for reliable operation.
What’s Included
- EIG Model E-18 four-barrel pepperbox pistol
Produced only in the late 1950s through the mid-1960s, the Model E-18 saw limited importation, making surviving examples hard to find. Its pre-ban status adds further interest for collectors focused on early imported handguns.
The pistol’s hallmark is its 2.5-inch, nickel-plated, four-barrel cluster with steel liners. A rotating firing-pin plate indexes between barrels, allowing sequential double-action fire without manual cocking.
Italian proof marks, including the crown-over-PSF, star-over-shield, and year code “XVIII,” remain clear on the frame, confirming 1962 manufacture in Italy. The circled EIG logo and “ITALY” import mark verify original U.S. distribution by EIG Cutlery Corp., Miami.
Bright nickel plating covers both the zinc-alloy frame and barrel assembly, complemented by ivory-colored, checkered plastic grip panels. Fixed sights—a half-moon front and integral rear notch—complete the minimalist defensive design.