Antique double barrel flintlock pistol

[Lefaucheux]

(sellers picture)

In one of my first threads, now in Firearm research, I showed this double barrel pistol. I had yet to receive it and now I have.
I plan to restore it and thought it would be nice to post the progress here.

When I saw the pictures on the site of the seller and after that found a similar model on www ambroseantiques com (with google, it's a sold item) I wondered why the trigger bow is so large.
Now I know, it's not. The rest is small!
I received the pistol like this, a box full with "Christmas gifts".

That is because it's illegal to send guns out of Norway, were I bought this.
When I (or my daughter actually) unpacked the last one I was surprised, I expected a much bigger gun. Must be very little flints that I need to find for this one.

But after a while I got used to the size and I like it. Paid enough for it so I better not dislike it.

An impression

There are two large (in perspective) pieces of wood missing. And some small pieces.
The hammers are mounted a 90 degrees wrong, the condition is not cocked.
The springs are inside! I think all of them.
No maker sign, no markings. On the ambroseantiques site it was listed as a french pistol from around 1770. (pictures last in this posting)
What do you all think? Has anyone more info, an resembling gun or know a resembling in a book or so?
All info appreciated!!!

When I have a little time between the Christmas activities I will start a carefully disassemble.
Like I said, my plan is a full restoration. Discussions on the pro's and con's about that is not necessary, had those often before.

For now it's almost Christmas evening. You all have a good Christmas!!

Jeroen

 

[wattlebuster]

Wow that is very impressive. I like it. Thanks for posting :thumbsup:

 

[Lefaucheux]

I hope it's obvious that the last two pictures are a similair gun and not mine?
Like I explained in my posting.

 

[Mike Brooks]

Yep, French about 1770-80.I'd take that nasty belt hook off of it and leave it alone.

 

[rabjr]

That is one cool pistol! :thumbsup:

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Your pistol looks very interesting. The one in the bottom photos looks great. :thumbsup:
Merry Christmas to you and yours.

 

[brownie1934]

Just me thinkin outta the box but twere it mine I would be thinkin restock. Gonna be a nightmare finding matching wood and putting in what to me kooks like many small patches could be quite a headache.Dont know the value of an unsigned gun of that vintage. Take what I say with a grain of salt. Ideas that cost nothin sometimes have a value to match!!! LOL
Cheers Bob

 

[Lefaucheux]

It's a good idea, making a new stock is on my list of possibility's.
I am good with wood but in letting locks and making scroll work in wood, those I have not done before. I have seen some nice work on this forum, you must have a lot of skills.
Making a new one is now my backup plan. I know of one stock maker and repair guy in Holland and I know he has a lot of pieces of old wood. I ask him first,
Thanks Bob for thinking with me!

Jeroen

 

[Mike Brooks]

Sell that poor pistol before you make a worthless mess out of it. :slap:

 

[Lefaucheux]

You like it better as it is?

 

[Trench]

You like it better as it is?

As is, it's a piece of history. Like you said, you've already heard all the pro's and con's of "refinishing" an original. However, just know that refinishing that pistol is like scraping the canvas clean of the Mona Lisa so you can paint it again to make it look new to some of the forum members. :wink: It's hard to stomach for some of us. :grin:

 

[Birdman]

wow what a coincedense, just finished watching the 1934 version of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" and they were useing a simaler pistol in several scenes, belt hook and all. Seeing it , I was thinking what a neat gun, two shots n small so easy to hide, sort of like an early version of concealed carry weapons LOL, Would the larger size trigger guard have to do with the style of wearing gloves at the time? just a thought, nice find, YMHS Birdman :thumbsup: oh yea the movie was supposed to have taken place in 1799 to 1800 period fwiw

 

[Lefaucheux]

Mike, speaking about paintings. Those are often restored if they are teard, dirty etc.

Like those paintings, I would like to show it like it was.

birdman: thanks, I will trie to find that movie and watch it.

 

[wayne1967]

Oh the stories that piece could tell. Looks like it layed barrels down for a while from the pitting.

 

[Mike Brooks]

You like it better as it is?

Yes. You are only the steward of this pistol during your short lifetime. This pistol will be around many many years after you're gone. You must care for it carefully and not destroy it any further .Ownership of pieces of history like this is a great responsibility.
There are a few people here in the states that could restore this gun correctly, but it would probably cost more than the pistol is worth. It really needs to be left as is. Lightly oil the metal and let it go at that. The belt hook is a very resent addition, and I'd probably remove it as it's a real eyesore.

 

[Claude Mathis]

... I would like to show it like it was.

Why not replace the stock, barrel and locks? Then it would look like new? :grin: Sorry couldn't resist.

Mike Brooks gave you the best advice. Keep it oiled and do nothing to it. It doesn't require "restoration". :thumbsup:

 

[jsn]

The best thing that could be done is to send it to a capable builder to do a bench copy of this piece then pay them for thier work and then you have a safe fun gun to shoot and the original to set it next to, maybe make a case for them both just a thought......

 

[fatboy]

Let as it is and use it as a model and make a new version have someone make a set of barrel's for you and you work on the rest ?

 

[Lefaucheux]

In the Netherlands we may not build weapons our self. Also, there is a maximum of five guns. Antique guns don't count.
My five positions I have used up, no room for more guns.
So for me building a new one is not an option.

 

[colmoultrie]

Definitely fix the position of the cocks, as that should only require unscrewing them and taking them off and repositioning them.

If you want new wood, it would be far better to build a complete new stock and keep the old one "as is" than to mess with it. You must, however, tag the trigger guard with a note about the exact location of the original wood, and keep the two together, so the next owner can "restore" the correct wood. That's less-than-ideal, but far better than mucking up the original parts.