Author Topic: Early rifled pistol  (Read 2889 times)

Offline DaveM

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Early rifled pistol
« on: February 04, 2013, 01:49:55 AM »
I picked this up not too long ago after looking at it more closely, noticed it has a rifled bore.  The barrel appears to be original length at 11 inches.  Has anyone ever seen rifling like this?  The pistol has an octagon to round 11-inch barrel with 16 shallow grooves that twist roughly 1/4 over the 11-inch barrel length.   I thought some of you guys may be more familiar.   I assume it is dutch or belgian ca 1740, but maybe german - does anyone have thoughts on country of origin?

I believe all of the lock parts are original except it needs a hammer.  If anyone has an appropriate german pistol hammer of this period they don't need (preferably antique), I'd be interested. In Grinslade's fowler book, there is a fowler (hudson?) that has a lock that has engraving so similar that it may have been engraved by the same guy though it is round faced. 













Offline Fullstock longrifle

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Re: Early rifled pistol
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2013, 01:55:32 AM »
Nice early pistol Dave! Based on the trigger guard, I would say it's French.

Frank

Offline alex e.

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Re: Early rifled pistol
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2013, 02:32:41 PM »
Any markings on the lock or barrel?
Uva uvam videndo varia fit

Offline DaveM

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Re: Early rifled pistol
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2013, 03:27:34 AM »
Alex, I took it apart again to check - no marks on or under the barrel but the mark below is on the inside of the lock - a cross in a circle.  The barrel is 70-cal, and heavy.  I think the gun may be military.