What to do with this pistol stock.

[Scota4570]

See attached:



I have only made a few really nice HC pistols.  One was a replica  of the Armstrong pistol.  I no longer waste time on making guns that have no historical justification or artistic value. 

I got these parts at a swap meet.  When I looked carefully I noticed somebody sawed off the fore end of the stock.  Arrgh!      The barrel is 11 1/2" x 13/16".   The stock will work with a barrel up to only 7 1/2".  A 7 1/2" barrel in an American style pistol?  That does not seem right.  Are there any historical examples of quality guns that short for me to reference?  Maybe the guy who cut it had  something in mind?    I will not patch on a piece of wood.  My instincts say to toss it in the trash.

[Mattox Forge]

Were there many half stocked American pistols? I know the 1805 Harpers Ferry military pistol. Did any civilIan gunsmiths make any?

Mike

[2 shots]

 if ya dont want it put it up here for sale. it will go.

[Bob Gerard]

It looks similar to the Pecatonica “Dueling Pistol” kit, though those are 10” barrels. You might check it out and get a new stock from them. You would obviously have to cut off some barrel….
Second idea- you modify the stock (bring way back the rear entry pipe location) and cut off the barrel to length? Not sure if there is any historically existing one but can’t see why not?

[Scota4570]

Thanks,

No franken-guns.  I have made to may of those already.  IF such a gun existed that is fine.   


http://longrifles-pr.com/duelingpistol.shtml

Looks like a good match.  I could see a resemblance to Wogdon's pistols,  but a lot is very wrong too.  The Siler lock, trigger guard, and barrel are not close.  I do like Wogdon's work though.  https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/1031/2152/pair-of-wogdon-flintlock-dueling-pistols

[Steeltrap]

Sell the stock. Buy a block and make what you want.

[mikeyfirelock]

    I’d cut that back, cast a nice pewter nosecap, and finish it out with an underrib.
I think that would make a very Handsome piece !

[Mattox Forge]

    I’d cut that back, cast a nice pewter nosecap, and finish it out with an underrib.
I think that would make a very Handsome piece !

I think I would too. There are American made halfstock pistols. I am pretty sure Haslett would have made one with a similar "bird's head" type butt. This pair seems to be patterened after the French style, probably because it was made for a famous Frenchman.
https://www.icollector.com/MAGNIFICENT-RENWICK-LOCKE-AMERICAN-GOLD-INLAID-FLINTLOCK-DUELING-PISTOLS-BY-JAMES-HASLETT-BALTIMORE_i17332297

Here's another.

Since Haslett was working in the 1770s and 80s, a half stock pistol with that lock style would be entirely plausible.

Mike