ID: French Flntlock Pistol

[Marplot]

Got it at an auction. The only info was that it is French. Info you can tell me would be much appreciated!
It does have a great spark. Have not tried to shoot it. No proof marks I can tell.

21" long
13" Smoothbore .50 cal (about)
Barrel looks good. stock is solid

I found a display case at Goodwill, mahogany, cheap!



















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[ntqlvr1948]

Without a maker's name it probably be impossible to tell, as there were so many good makers during the 18th century. It probably dates to before 1750

[smart dog]

Hi,
The chisel work on the brass hardware is very primitive.  This is definitely not the product of a high-end European shop.  The lock and barrel may be Italian from the late 17th or early 18th century.  The stock could be from some provincial Italian shop.

dave 

[Mike Brooks]

It strikes me as dutch or belgian. Definately not french.

[Bob Gerard]

I’m no expert. Something seems “off” to me with this pistol. Firstly that it’s a very crudely embellished pistol. And the mating of metal to wood is not at all uniform; check the exceptionally tight fit of the thumb piece and then the gaps in the stock at the butt cap stirrups- Way different.  🫣

[Marplot]

Hi,
The chisel work on the brass hardware is very primitive.  This is definitely not the product of a high-end European shop.  The lock and barrel may be Italian from the late 17th or early 18th century.  The stock could be from some provincial Italian shop.

dave

What about the engraving on the lock and cock?

[JTR]

What about the engraving on the lock and cock?

Likely engraved by the lock maker.

[Niall]

I don't think the lock started off with the rest of this pistol. It's a good bit older, and better quality...most of it anyway...the frizzen is a replacement. This might be generically described as a 'Balkans' pistol

[Marplot]

It does seem to me that it has changed since it was made. Certainly the lock is much different than the carving.

I like the post that it could be 1750s. Thank for the post that it could be Belgian or Dutch. The auction house usually sells furniture and their guess it is French, I expect was a guess than knowledgeable!

[Pukka Bundook]

The lock still says last quarter of the 1600's to me, up to 1700 I think at latest.

Rest of the gun newer, but barrel reminds me of some good early Italian models.

[Jim Kibler]

It's common to see these rather primitive European made pistols.  These are typically referred to as being for the "Eastern Market".