Help Identify Old Flintlock Handgun

[JWC800]

I'm not sure where this gun came from - it's been around my grandmother's house as long as I can remember...

Sorry the pics aren't that great.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcox800/6305644023/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcox800/6306169022/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcox800/6305645461/

[Yankee Doodle]

Detailed photos of both sides, top, bottom, lock, trigger, and any markings would be required to make even an educated guess as to what you have. I would suggest that if you are really interested, get in touch with a recognized firearms appraiser, and pay the going rate.
Other than that, your guess is as good as mine.

[DPris]

Looks like a very crude decorator piece, doesn't appear it was built to shoot.

Denis

[carguychris]

Looks like a very crude decorator piece, doesn't appear it was built to shoot.

+1. Although I'm far from being an expert on the history of interior decorating, I go to a lot of garage sales, and faux flintlock guns seem to have been a minor home decor trend in the early 1970s. They seem to go together with dark wood paneling, burnt orange shag carpet, and the living room cabinet with a built-in turntable and 8-track player. The crudely painted gold leaf embellishments and rough metalwork are a hallmark of these "guns". They're built to be wallhangers.

Important safety note:

Do not even THINK of attempting to fire this piece!! Loss of fingers and eyesight may result!

[jrothWA]

especially the lock parts. The "wimpiness" of the flint hammer stands out.

Endorse the SAFETY WARNINGS noted!!

[DPris]

That thin "hammer" & the pan that appears to be tilted downward away from the flash hole were two that leaped out at me.
The frizzen doesn't look particularly robust, either.
Denis

[sgms]

I must also agree, I think it is probably a hand made copy never intended for shooting. It looks like it was based on a pistol style favored by the Ottoman Empire rather than the European. Attached is a picture of a very late 1700's Ottoman pistol, not a fancy high grade but a utilitarian gun made for use and carry. The 12 is not original to the pistol but a ID number from the collection I bought it from. Aside from the engraving it has no markings.

[4V50 Gary]

Decorator piece sold to touristas.

Interesting that they did some (german) silver wire inlay

[James K]

Those "guns" were sold aroud the Med - North Africa, the Middle East, and Spain primarily - to tourists for the equivalent of $10. Some were even imported by decorator supply companies. Warning, though. Even those toys can cause serious problems with British customs who will go rabid-a$$ insane; at best anyone having one will be delayed, at worst threatened, shot, or beaten bloody and maybe thrown in jail for an indefinite period.

Jim

[briandg]

In any case, it appears to be a copy of the miquelet style flintlock.

[RJay]

Hello JWC800, looking through the fog and smoke of all the answers the consensus seems to be that it is a decorative type wall hanger. It was never meant to be a functional firearm. That was also my first impression.

[Rifleman1776]

I'll ditto the Hunka Junka decorator piece from the mid-east.