Originally these pistols were muzzle loaders .
In 1837 the Belgian gunsmith Mariette invented a hammerless pepperbox with a ring trigger and turn - off barrels that could be unscrewed .
Originally these pistols were muzzle loaders , but in 1837 the Belgian gunsmith Mariette invented a hammerless pepperbox with a ring trigger and turn - off barrels that could be unscrewed .