Need help identifying percussion pistol

Bonhoeffer · December 20, 2011, 03:27 PM

Hello - new to the forum although I've been reading threads and lurking for a while.

Just inherited this, don't know anything about it or where it came from. Looks like something out of the Ottoman empire. The mask on the barrel looks Greek maybe?

Any ideas what it is?

**Mike Irwin** · December 20, 2011, 10:58 PM

I think you're probably pretty close with the Ottoman Empire, or somewhere in the middle east. It could also be Indian, possibly, with the thing that looks like a mask.

I've never seen a humanistic representation on a firearm made in an Islamic nation, but I wouldn't rule it out.

Figuring out exactly who made it can probably never be done.

James K · December 21, 2011, 12:56 AM

I think it is European, not middle eastern or Indian, and that it was made as a firearm, not a fake tourist gun. The crown and DP (?) look like some Spanish and Italian marks but I can't pin that mark down. IMHO, the gun is much earlier than the percussion system, so either a conversion or a lock replacement would seem very likely.

Jim

mapsjanhere · December 21, 2011, 09:30 AM

My first thought was "decorative piece", and I would still verify that the piston is actually connected to the barrel. But, as JK has remarked, it looks like an adapted flint lock, at least the lock plate seems to show marks of filling the hole left by the lock spring. Copying that would be unusual for a reproduction (so Indian makers are known to have copied stuff whether it made sense or not). If it's real, it could be worth a lot of money with that baroque barrel, but it needs a thorough restoration by a qualified person (don't just get the polishing wheel out).

December 20, 2011, 03:27 PM	#1
Bonhoeffer Junior Member Join Date: December 20, 2011 Posts: 1	Need help identifying percussion pistol Hello - new to the forum although I've been reading threads and lurking for a while. Just inherited this, don't know anything about it or where it came from. Looks like something out of the Ottoman empire. The mask on the barrel looks Greek maybe? Any ideas what it is?

December 20, 2011, 10:58 PM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I think you're probably pretty close with the Ottoman Empire, or somewhere in the middle east. It could also be Indian, possibly, with the thing that looks like a mask. I've never seen a humanistic representation on a firearm made in an Islamic nation, but I wouldn't rule it out. Figuring out exactly who made it can probably never be done. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 21, 2011, 09:30 AM	#4
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	My first thought was "decorative piece", and I would still verify that the piston is actually connected to the barrel. But, as JK has remarked, it looks like an adapted flint lock, at least the lock plate seems to show marks of filling the hole left by the lock spring. Copying that would be unusual for a reproduction (so Indian makers are known to have copied stuff whether it made sense or not). If it's real, it could be worth a lot of money with that baroque barrel, but it needs a thorough restoration by a qualified person (don't just get the polishing wheel out). __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

December 21, 2011, 12:56 AM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I think it is European, not middle eastern or Indian, and that it was made as a firearm, not a fake tourist gun. The crown and DP (?) look like some Spanish and Italian marks but I can't pin that mark down. IMHO, the gun is much earlier than the percussion system, so either a conversion or a lock replacement would seem very likely. Jim