Brass Stocked Albanian Miquelet Pistol

[cyten]

This pistol was ubiquitous from the late 1700's - early 1900's in the Balkans. Thought to originate in the region of Elbasan, Albania, these were known to be made in Kosovo, Serbia, and Macedonia as well. Though the Miquelet lock fell out of favor in most of Europe after the advent of the Flintlock, it lived on in the Balkans and the Caucasus. Often described as a "rat tail", the grip is quite slim though, fits my hand comfortably.
Pictured with a Silahlik (weapons belt) original powder measure, priming flask, and two Palaskas (cartridge boxes made from brass). This was a very common loadout in the region, but usually with 2 pistols and a Yataghan (short sword).

 

[rickystl]

Hi Cyten

Nice looking Albanian rat-tail pistol and accessories. As you mentioned, the brass Palaskas were used to hold pre-formed paper cartridges primarily for their pistols which were almost all smoothbores. Years ago I once tried an experiment at the range. I made 5 cartridges and placed them in one of these containers and strapped it on my waist with a belt. Then proceeded to load, fire, load fire, etc. From the standpoint of fast reloading they are much faster than reaching under a leather flap of a pouch. So, while they may look strange to us Western market shooters, they were certainly functional.

Rick