17th century

[dw]

Well boys and girls. Was talking with my mom's husband and found out he had a little treasure I did not know about. I made sure I got some pics to share. Thought you all might like to see

19th? century flintlock pistol (thanks skip) .58calibre I have seen a few pics of pistols from this era but they are usually not as decorative as this one. Hope you all enjoy.

 

[dw]

and a few more

 

[mooncoon]

What a spectacular pistol. I am drooling so much that I have to wear a bib while looking at the screen. :>) :>)

cheers mooncoon

 

[Skip]

Turkish or Persian, my guess...

 

[dw]

Turkish or Persian, my guess...

We have no idea. Don't really know much about it.......can anyone tell from the pics? Any info would be great. It looks like there are 2 hallmarks on the barrel in the 3rd pic but cannot really tell what they are.

 

[tiriaq]

Looks to be a European pistol that was embellished for, or in, the middle east. Perhaps even the Balkans, that would fall under the Turkish category, as Skip has suggested. The bridle on the pan, and the position of the sear spring screw suggest that the lock is no earlier than the mid to latter part of the 18th century. It is possible that the silver embellishment was applied long after the pistol was made.

 

[Skip]

Delete this post due to new info, below...

 

[Skip]

A cruise through one of my books suggest 19th century Turkish, based on the examples below:

They are described as "Turkish 19th century. Barrels gold damascened; stocks overlaid with embossed gilt brass sheet, flat and twisted silver wire at the wrist. These are 20" 16mm calibre (.630) The book also shows a pair of balkan pistols from the same era, but are quite different design.

Note the twist detail at the end of the mainspring - identical in your pistol and the pictured ones.

 

[dw]

Thanks alot Skip......I knew a Gunnutz could help with an ID...I know nothing of these old ones, just what my step dad told me about. Obviously he was misinformed.
She is still a beauty though.

Thanks guys.

 

[Skip]

Flintlock pistols can be notoriously difficult to date, especially if they were made for the commoner. Late period pistols (19th century) can be as primitive as 17th century, and it can be very hard to tell which if the gun was not made by a documented maker. Flintlocks have had a marvelous longevity without a lot of advancement over a long time. Some argue that their design has still not run its course...