Danish Target Pistol, request info. on Maker

[Relic shooter]

This presentation grade target pistol displays the finest quality workmanship of any fine European pistol I've owned.
For about 40 years a .70 cal. Danish Jaeger made in Kiobenhaven became my most accurate & favorite competition & hunting rifle, recently re-homed that Jaeger to a younger forum member.
All the flint & perc. era firearms I've owned from Kiobenhaven have had the finest quality rifled barrels, tempering & workmanship.

To date I have not been able to locate my gun library since our downsize move so back begging for help again.
Description;

This very lightweight & well balanced presentation grade target pistol weighs just 1.5 lbs.
To maintain high strength through the wrist area the maker cleverly installed an engraved steel duplicate of the lock panel opposite the lock.
The pistol's lock & barrel are engraved with the maker's name, Delcomy n Kiobenhaven.
Top of the barrel near the breech has a faint sword type stamp that may be a proof mark? The stamp is difficult to make out as all surfaces of the damascus twist barrel are also fully engraved.

Specs;
-Bore of the pistol is 10.50" long, .38 cal. rifled & slightly swamped barrel & remains in mint condition.
-Bore measurements indicate patched lead .38 cal. SWC slugs would be a good fit & option if they grouped well ?
-This pistol's double-set triggers & will fire set or unset. When set the trigger requires just a 'thought' to fire. Original owner must have been a hardcore competitor.
-Would love to have had this pistol back when I was younger & a serious competitor.

NOTE; Lock interior photo shows the 'fly' in this beautifully made lock is very unique, it's located in a tiny slot cut in 'center' of the tumbler.
Also unusual, the lock's mainspring also serves as the sear spring.

Much thanks in advance to any member who can provide background info on this maker.
Relic shooter

 

[PathfinderNC]

Wow!

 

[Gtrubicon]

Incredible pistol, can you post a better picture of the back of the lock?

 

[SOLANCO]

Magnificent.

 

[Relic shooter]

Incredible pistol, can you post a better picture of the back of the lock?

Thanks Gtrubicon,
This photo provides better view how the mainspring also serves as sear spring.

 

[Colonial Boy]

All the superlatives above.[and to follow].

 

[Relic shooter]

Thanks Gtrubicon,
This photo provides better view how the mainspring also serves as sear spring.

Note;
When zooming-in on the earlier tilted back-side photo of the lock, that also shows
unusual open-design of the tumbler assy.
Definitely one of the most innovative designed locks I've run across in my years of collecting &
shooting original flint & percussion firearms..
If i'm able to recover information on the maker I would not be surprised if he was also engaged as a watchmaker.

 

[Stykbow]

Another beauty. I’ve made this comment often, but here it goes again. I love the detail a lot of European guns have on the hammer. They can be covered in exquisite engraving and the hammer details still get me. This one appears to be a fish? Love it!

 

[Relic shooter]

Another beauty. I’ve made this comment often, but here it goes again. I love the detail a lot of European guns have on the hammer. They can be covered in exquisite engraving and the hammer details still get me. This one appears to be a fish? Love it!

Thank you.
Yes nose of the hammer does have an engraved fish head type character with inlaid gold eyes.

As a former gunsmith & builder what fascinates me the most is the innovative design of the lock's components.
With today's CNC technology this lock's design would provide the foundation for an excellent quality flint or percussion lock
with fewer components.

 

[Bayer1957]

Dorry for the late reply. Had a lot to do.

I assume the Name is Delcomyn?
Please take a few pictures of the master stamps.
View attachment 321394

 

[Bayer1957]

Here Danish Proof Marks from the time.
You find something like that?

Beautiful Pistol

 

[Relic shooter]

Hi Martin , much thanks for your reply & information.
I do believe the maker's name is Delcomyn, I was in error the last letter 'n' represented 'in before Kiobenhaven.
According to the information you provided it appears there were a few gun makers named Delcomyn.
This pistol's very unique lock design, fine workmanship & engraving may indicate this pistol was crafted by joint efforts of a family of gunsmiths working together but would think that type of workmanship & connection would be noted ?
I also posted an inquiry on a Norwegian PB forum but haven't received any response from there thus far.

Below are photos of the identical maker's inscriptions on the lock & barrel.
I see no obvious proof marks on any panel of the barrel other than what appears to be a faint sword type stamping on top of the barrel near the
gold band at the breech area.
In my research I did discover that the spelling Kiobenhaven was only used for 20 years between 1821-& 1841.
Be nice if it's mint rifled .38 cal. bore performs well, soon as I get opportunity to try it at the range I'll post grouping results.
Again, thanks for your generous input Martin !
Chuck-Relic shooter

 

[Bayer1957]

I believe that the Pistol was made by Delcomyn Carl Heinrich. 1800 - 1864.
The location and time are appropriate.

But what we have to be clear about is. This Weapons were alwaya not completely built by a Gunsmith.
For example the Gun-barrels. The majority of them were manufactured in Belgium at the time and sold throughout Europe.

Even the big French Names like: Gastinne Renette, Le Page usw.

I own a few of these manufacturers, and I can find a Belgian Proff mark on Most of them.

What you see as a Sword on your Barrel. Can this be the last picture?

 

[Relic shooter]

Here Danish Proof Marks from the time.
You find something like that?

Beautiful Pistol
View attachment 321402

Below are photos at different lighting & angles of the marking near the breech that can be zoomed in on.

Depending on angle it appears to be a V with encircled R above but intricate patterning on the barrel's surface makes identity difficult with my vintage eyesite.
* Note how various lighting & angles changes the image.
OPINIONS WELCOMED ON THIS PUZZLE !
Perhaps someone on a European forum will page-in & have more knowledge on this Danish maker Delcomny & what the marking stamped at the breech represents. Would think that any Gun Maker with this level of workmanship skills would be listed.
Thank you !
Relic shooter/ Chuck

 

[Bayer1957]

Thanks für the pictures. I`m going to search.

If you`re interested. Here is a Film of how these beautifu. damask barrels were made back then.

 

[Relic shooter]

I believe that the Pistol was made by Delcomyn Carl Heinrich. 1800 - 1864.
The location and time are appropriate.

But what we have to be clear about is. This Weapons were alwaya not completely built by a Gunsmith.
For example the Gun-barrels. The majority of them were manufactured in Belgium at the time and sold throughout Europe.

Even the big French Names like: Gastinne Renette, Le Page usw.

I own a few of these manufacturers, and I can find a Belgian Proff mark on Most of them.

What you see as a Sword on your Barrel. Can this be the last picture?

View attachment 321843

I agree, have also experience Belgian proofs on several high quality French pistols i've owned, this pistol has me puzzled.

Great having knowledgeable fellow forum members like yourself who are willing to help identify firearms.
What I originally thought was a sword stamp was my error.
Just posted much more detailed close-up photos of this mystery image, maybe it will be recognised by someone on other side of the pond?

 

[Relic shooter]

Thanks für the pictures. I`m going to search.

If you`re interested. Here is a Film of how these beautifu. damask barrels were made back then.

Excellent video !
Beautiful damascus patterning can be found on high end English, French & Austrian firearms.
LaPage produced some similarly beautiful workmanship.
This Danish pistol is equal or better to the best makers I've owned or observed over my 60 years collecting.
The damascus twist pattern is clearly visible on barrel of this pistol, but the highly detailed pattern on the surface has depth you can actually feel.
It's depth of the intricate surface pattern that is making the Maker's name & strange stamp at the breech difficult to distinguish.

Martin you may be 100% correct that the maker is Delcomyn Carl Heinrich. 1800 - 1864, just odd that a maker with this skill level is not more known.
Chuck-Relic shooter

 

[enfield]

Just as a thought :

Maybe , this outstanding pistol once was sold in Germany , after the then new gun proof law took place .
This meant , that EVERY new made firearm had to be poof fired and proof stamped from then on .

Firearms , which were made before , but sold after/in this time , had to be stamped with a "V" under crown ( Vorrat ) only , but unterwent no new gun proof .

This could be the reason for this confusing stamp .

This outstanding piece tells a heck of a story !

 

[Relic shooter]

Just as a thought :

Maybe , this outstanding pistol once was sold in Germany , after the then new gun proof law took place .
This meant , that EVERY new made firearm had to be poof fired and proof stamped from then on .

Firearms , which were made before , but sold after/in this time , had to be stamped with a "V" under crown ( Vorrat ) only , but underwent no new gun proof .

This could be the reason for this confusing stamp .

This outstanding piece tells a heck of a story !

Thank you Enfield, could very well be the answer for this pistols travel history.
As a fellow collector & former competitive shooter with original firearms the fine workmanship & rifling on European firearms makes them excel in accuracy & last for centuries in hands of good caretakers.
Chuck

 

[enfield]

As a fellow collector & former competitive shooter with original firearms the fine workmanship & rifling on European firearms makes them excel in accuracy & last for centuries in hands of good caretakers.
Chuck

It seems to me , that Your and my histories also have some certain similarities ...

Keep on doing so , Your's sincerely ,

enfield