.40 flintlock handgun

[Red Arrow]

Were any .40 flintlock pistols in use during, or prior to, the 1800s?

[L. Akers]

A cursory thumb-through of a couple of my reference books turned up several .40 cal pistols that were made before 1800.  So the answer to your question is -- yes.

[Red Arrow]

Can you post any pics, styles, and designs? I have a .40 pistol barrel I want to build resembling something from prior to 1800s.

[L. Akers]

I don't have the capability to post pictures but some makers you might look up are D. Funk, D. Stroup, and P. Resor.

I think you could use any "plow handle" stock profile or even a "cane handle" that suited your fancy, maple or walnut.  A lock like a Queen Anne (pistol size), a small Siler, or a Davis Becky would be appropriate.  An L & R Durs Egg is ok style-wise but is a little large for a pistol.  The L & R Manton is of too late a period.  Another option might be the Chambers gun maker's lock.  Locks lost the tapered tail and evolved to a rounded profile as the end of the century approached.  A "Maslin" style is most appropriate.

The barrel can be full octagon or turned octagon to round and be appropriate.

Furniture can be brass or iron, with or without a butt cap, with or without a nose cap.  If you wanted to go really fancy, silver was also used.  Earlier pistols had fewer inlays than those made closer to 1800.  There was usually a little carving behind the tang but no carving at all also fits the period.

I think you can make whatever you want in a pistol and let the lock-style determine the historical period.

Hope some of this helps.

[Red Arrow]

Thanks for the info

[Daryl]

Here's a .40 pistol that "would have" predated 1800 by 200 years, had it not been built in 1990's - or 80's. Oh yeah - also not 'Amercan' - but- it does have a flint wheel as well as the pyrites wheel.




The lock, with both wheels. One smooth for flint, one noched for pyrites.

[Red Arrow]

Good looking gun. Thanks for showing it.

[Daryl]

lock area

[Marcruger]

That is ridiculously cool Daryl!  Two thumbs up.  Did you build that one?  How is the ignition time?  I'd guess follow-through is important.  :-)   Best wishes, and God Bless,   Marc

[Daryl]

Taylor built this ebony stocked Germanic-style gun many years ago, for a dear friend who has since passed away.  Taylor is again, in possession of this most remarkable pistol.

The pistol has a single set trigger and ignition is instantaneous, ie: seemingly indistinguishable from a cap-lock pistol.
 

[Marcruger]

I should have guessed it would take someone of Taylor's talent to make that beauty.  Thank you for sharing it.  I'll bet it's neat to shoot.   :-)   Best wishes,   Marc

[Daryl]

He made the lock and gun parts from scratch, btw - not kit.

[thimble rig]

Thanks for sharing those photos.That is some pistol.Wow there is a lot of parts for the lock.I wouldn't want to leave the lock apart for very long.I would never get back together.

[Daryl]

Thanks for sharing those photos.That is some pistol.Wow there is a lot of parts for the lock.I wouldn't want to leave the lock apart for very long.I would never get back together.

I hear you, but- you can enlarge the picture and make your one. I suspect making the chain for the 'wheel' is a rather tedious process.

OOPS!- sorry for the thread diversion, Red Arrow. However, with the pictures provided a good maker can duplicate this flint/quartz lock.  There is NO flintlock faster firing than this one.

[Red Arrow]

No problem. The purpose of this thread is to see various flintlock pistols, preferably those prior to the mid 1800s, but any will do. I have a barrel but need to know how to build it into a flin5lock pistol.