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Flintlock Pistol identity.
- Thread starter Unionville Militia
- Start date
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Unionville Militia
32 Cal
It’s difficult to figure this out whether it’s a reproduction or something real. There’s plenty of wear on much of assembly and the barrel is old and worn on the inside plus someone applied shellac or something overall so the markings are hard to read. I cannot find any proof markings and it appears to be slightly larger than 50 caliber like my old Fowler
Most likely English or Belgian, if you find proofs they will tell the story. It had a sliding safety, now missing, that engaged the slot in the back of the cock. It's an original.
Unionville Militia
32 Cal
Thanks Hawkeye! What is a general name for this type of pistol? It’s in central Virginia and I plan on buying this. I’m trying to get a ballpark on value and date of manufacture. I own an old 1700s cabin in the middle of my early 1800s home and want an authentic period piece. Thank a lot for your help. I’ve seen the term “box lock” would that apply to this boxy handle?
It's a box lock as the mechanism is enclosed in the frame which is a box. It is not a screw barrel or Queen Anne pistol. Condition determines price and that one is far from pristine, does the mechanism work? Sorry I can't help with a value. It would look nice on the cabin wall in a felt lined shadow box.
Unionville Militia
32 Cal
Thanks again. It is full function and I imagine capable of fire with a flint and an undersized ball. It is obviously smooth bore and a bit pitted but lightly. He is asking 250 which I think is great. Would you imagine 1700s ?
Unionville Militia
32 Cal
By the way, do you recommend a flintlock book I should buy as I’m planning on selling all my modern weapons and building a flintlock collection of basic workingman Virginia guns.
1700s, early 1800s. Here is a similar piece that was converted to percussion though it may be a screw barrel pistol.
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/boot-pistol.143132/#post-2013614
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/boot-pistol.143132/#post-2013614
appalichian hunter
75 Cal.
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Cruise missiles anyone.
It's definitely an original of most likely English mfg. & is a bargain at $250
Unionville Militia
32 Cal
Should I remove the shellac and reveal the engraving? I know everyone says leave it alone but that condition is a poor reflection on the guns workmanship. Thoughts?
Unionville Militia
32 Cal
If it were mine, I would certainly clean it up; it's not worth a fortune as an antique, so why not? Just be careful to do no furthur damage.
I would remove the shellac from the metal. I doubt that it has any ties to the working history of the gun and likely was applied to preserve it as a display item. The wood looks kind of touchy, I probably would leave that as is unless I had it in hand to evaluate it. I know a lot of folks would say leave it alone, you'll hurt its value. First, it isn't a high dollar piece so it's questionable how much it'll hurt it's value by stripping grandmaw's varnish job; second, it's been apart at least once and by a less than professional smith (see screw slots): third, it's yours to do with as you please. I seem to sense you would like to strip it and that might reveal some markings that will help identify its origins. I don't have any idea what was on both sides of the grip near the bottom but I feel it was on the gun when it was built.
Pretty cool find!!!! If it is shellac you should be able to remove it with alcohol and a toothbrush without hurting the patina on the metal. Good luck!
Robby
Robby
Unionville Militia
32 Cal
Unionville Militia
32 Cal
It looks much better. 10 grains of 3f and a patched ball, let's see some smoke. 
