Any Idea?

Bought last year at an estate sale. Was listed as a Belgian Naval pistol, circa 1830. Cannot find an exact picture on the internet. Wondering if the stock was shortened because all that I found with a flat pommel had full stock.

Any leads or info. is greatly appreciated.

what markings are on the underside of the barrel. Any Belgian gun would have an oval with an E over an LG somewhere on the barrel. Also what markings on on the lock interior. German guns had a series of markings on each interior piece. The flat pommels were found on British guns, including the Lancer pistols and a few variations were made for the East India Company as well. And lastly, some modern Indian gun makers have been turning out reproductions that unscrupulous folks have "antiqued" I have come across one source that says several hundred Older model British pistols were refurbished for native units at an Indian Arsenel in the mid 1800's. Sorry to create more questions than answers but Good Luck in your quest.

While I can't help you with whether the stock was shortened or not I can say with 100% certainty that the barrel band is from a Potzdam musket. I notice the barrel is pinned, I would have expected to see a band or wedge used to retain it.

I can see the pin, too, but wonder if it is to hold the barrel to the stock, or just a stock repair where it has an obvious crack.

I had only looked at the pin in the first photo where it looks like it might hold the barrel but after reading your post I went back and I see that the pin goes down from right to left in a way that it could be a repair for the crack. It does come out too low on the left to hold the barrel.

It looks like it may have a flush pin on the left side through the band into the stock wood. There is a pin hole in the band on the other side in the same position.

The hole on the right side of the band is for the band retaining spring on the Potzdam and if you blow the photo up you will see wood through the hole. Looking at the left side of the band I cannot see any evidence of a flush pin but did notice where the sling swivel had worn into the lug a little from use.

The band is oriented the same as on the musket and the retaining spring is behind the band on the right side. I wish I had that band. It would save me the work of filing out a lug and brazing it to my band.

Are these smooth bores?

M.D. said:

Are these smooth bores?

Click to expand...

The Potzdam? Yes, .72 caliber, flint, most converted about 1835 and imported by the Union so the South couldn't get them. 1809 is the most common.

Interesting. I had a pistol that I picked up at an estate sale that had a lot in common with yours. In particular the lock, barrel, butt cap and trigger guard. Cannot help you with the stock as the one I had was restocked (American Maple I believe) and was full length with a matching ram rod added. It had Belgian proofs on the barrel and various inspector marks on the lock. Searching through various books I never found an exact match but based on the hardware it was closest to a Belgian pistol from the 1820's (if my memory is correct)

Kind of wish I still had it but it was sold to help finance a rifle that I really, really wanted (the "wants" can be a terrible thing!).

Many thanks to all who responded. Although not 100% sure of what we have, you all definitely shed some light on the subject.