Author Topic: Flintlock SxS Who? Where? When?  (Read 4077 times)

Offline AndyThomas

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Flintlock SxS Who? Where? When?
« on: June 22, 2009, 02:06:09 AM »
A friend has come across a flint SxS and is wondering where and when it may have been made. I posted some pics at:

http://s498.photobucket.com/albums/rr347/FlintlockAndy/FlintlockSxS/

I haven't seen the gun but I'm only about 1 1/2 hours from it. Let me know what other info or pics you need to identify it.

Thanks,
Andy
formerly the "barefoot gunsmith of Martin's Station" (now retired!)

www.historicmartinsstation.com

Offline Swampwalker

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Re: Flintlock SxS Who? Where? When?
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2009, 05:34:46 PM »
It looks French to me, maybe 1810 or so, reconverted (inappropriately) using siler parts to flint.

Offline JV Puleo

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Re: Flintlock SxS Who? Where? When?
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2009, 07:33:43 PM »
I'd guess Belgian but only because most "French-style" guns are Belgian made. They are difficult to date from pictures because they were being made right up to the beginning of the 20th century albeit for the African/North African market... places where the colonial governments would not allow the local people to have more modern arms. A look at the proof marks would be essential - they will at least tell where the barrels were made and, if Belgian as they probably are, can at least identify a very late date. The wide rounded tail end of the lockplates, more like a percussion lock than a flint lock also suggest a fairly late date. Quality is also an issue... it tended to decline over time but I suspect that fairly good quality examples can also be quite late even though they are much more rare than low quality examples.

Offline AndyThomas

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Re: Flintlock SxS Who? Where? When?
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2009, 01:33:47 PM »
Thanks guys.

Sounds like it may be a decent wall hanger for an early 19th century historic sight. I think that's where it going.

Andy
formerly the "barefoot gunsmith of Martin's Station" (now retired!)

www.historicmartinsstation.com

Dave K

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Re: Flintlock SxS Who? Where? When?
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2009, 04:30:33 PM »
I can see some inscription on the top of the barrel. What does it say?

Offline AndyThomas

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Re: Flintlock SxS Who? Where? When?
« Reply #5 on: June 24, 2009, 02:45:54 PM »
I asked the owner if he could see any markings on the barrel. Here's his reply:

"There is a name on the barrel Munich A Grmrdr but i can not read it, it also says 1045 on the breech there is a dog on the bottom of the trigger guard. That is all the markings I see."

Andy
formerly the "barefoot gunsmith of Martin's Station" (now retired!)

www.historicmartinsstation.com