This is a rare example of a 6-shot percussion pepperbox with the Samuel Sutherland of Richmond, Virginia, marking on the hammer. According to Albaugh, Benet and Simmons in the book "CONFEDERATE HANDGUNS", Sutherland was a Virginian gunsmith who repaired arms for the Confederate government. Southern gunsmiths who participated in the Confederate war effort such as Samuel Sutherland were known in their communities as "The Armorer of the South". Lacking the resources for large government armories, the Confederate government relied heavily on local gunsmiths. The left side of the hammer is marked "SUTHERLAND/RICHMOND, VA." (faint). Although there are no maker markings, it is of similar design to an Allen & Thurber pepperbox. The authors of "CONFEDERATE HANDGUNS" have noted Allen & Thurber pepperboxes with the Sutherland marking.