Ottoman Pistol (?) ID Help

[JeffYo]

Hi All - Newbie here. Jeff from FL. My dad (passed 2010) was a big firearms collector - mostly later vintage S&W and Winchester, etc. However, this solitary piece was wrapped in a cloth in a gun cabinet drawer and I'm finally getting around to doing a little research on it. Will most likely sell but first want to get an idea of what it really is and maybe a rough estimate on value. True antique or fake? My research so far has "probably" identified it as Ottoman Empire? Whatever that means... ANY other information appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Turkish. It's real and pretty good for one of these.

 

[JeffYo]

Turkish. It's real and pretty good for one of these.

Thanks Mike. Any way of identifying a maker and approximating date of manufacture? I'm happy to provide any more photos if that would help!

 

[rickystl]

Hi Jeff

Your pistol is what is commonly referred to by collectors as an Ottoman Kubur (horse) pistol. These were primarily made/used during the first three quarters of the 19th Century. (The locals used the flintlock well after the introduction of the percussion period) These pistols were extremely popular throughout many of the Ottoman countries. Your pistol appears in good condition and is typical of these pistols. It was probably made at one of the many small gun making centers in the Balkans. Often, these pistols were made with barrels, locks, and hardware that were exported from Europe (especially Italy) and assembled and decorated locally for local taste. They are often unmarked as the builders did not want the pistols traced back to any specific gun shop, as they were sold to both friend and foe alike. The decorations were usually done in a generic form so as not to disturb any religious sensibilities. Even if maker marked/signed and translated, it's usually impossible to trace the maker back to a shop. They just didn't keep the kind of records the Europeans did.

Today, with prices heading upward, my guess is your pistol might fetch $500-600.00 at auction. Even with prices heading up, these guns still do not fetch the pricing of their European counterparts. There are simply not as many collectors for them. Plus, these pistols were made by the thousands continuously through much of the 19th Century. So there are many examples still available today.

Your's is a genuine pistol. Not a later tourist copy. And in much better than average condition. A nice example. Hope this helps.

Rick

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

What he said!

 

[Sam squanch]

If it’s genuine- it may have a genuine old load in the barrel. Slide a rod down the bore and check!

 

[JeffYo]

Hi Jeff

Your pistol is what is commonly referred to by collectors as an Ottoman Kubur (horse) pistol. These were primarily made/used during the first three quarters of the 19th Century. (The locals used the flintlock well after the introduction of the percussion period) These pistols were extremely popular throughout many of the Ottoman countries. Your pistol appears in good condition and is typical of these pistols. It was probably made at one of the many small gun making centers in the Balkans. Often, these pistols were made with barrels, locks, and hardware that were exported from Europe (especially Italy) and assembled and decorated locally for local taste. They are often unmarked as the builders did not want the pistols traced back to any specific gun shop, as they were sold to both friend and foe alike. The decorations were usually done in a generic form so as not to disturb any religious sensibilities. Even if maker marked/signed and translated, it's usually impossible to trace the maker back to a shop. They just didn't keep the kind of records the Europeans did.

Today, with prices heading upward, my guess is your pistol might fetch $500-600.00 at auction. Even with prices heading up, these guns still do not fetch the pricing of their European counterparts. There are simply not as many collectors for them. Plus, these pistols were made by the thousands continuously through much of the 19th Century. So there are many examples still available today.

Your's is a genuine pistol. Not a later tourist copy. And in much better than average condition. A nice example. Hope this helps.

Rick

Hi Rick - very appreciative of you taking the time to give me the overview! Thanks! Jeff

 

[rickystl]

Hi Rick - very appreciative of you taking the time to give me the overview! Thanks! Jeff

You're most welcome. Glad to be of some help. If you do plan on selling the pistol, make sure you advise if the lock is in working order or not. Will make a difference in the realized price. Also, show - with the frizzen forward - of the priming pan and vent hole relationship. The prospective buyer will want to know.

Rick