Flintloock Pistol Identification

[theloneranger]

Well you guys did such a great job identifying my other gun, lets give this one a shot! I think it is middle eastern, but that about all I know.

 

[Robert Egler]

I don't know where it's from, but that is very nice!

 

[vtbuck223]

Better lighting on the pics would be really helpful. Any marks....have you looked under the barrel?. Also....that touchole seems really high off the pan....for those expert flinters out there....how did they get a reliable
"bang" with that?

 

[rickystl]

Hi Ranger. Your Pistol was likely made in the Balkans - for the Turkish market. Probably early to mid 1800's. The Turks used these pistols for some 200+ years. Your's is decorated typical of the regional tastes. Unless made as a pair, I've never seen any two decorated alike.
Question: Does your's have a "false" ramrod? That is, the ram rod is not removeable?
Thanks, Rick. Nice looking pistol. Looks like all the decorations/inlays are intact.

 

[theloneranger]

Yes it has a fake ramrod, it will come out, but is only about 3 inches long.

 

[rickystl]

Hi Ranger. I thought that might be the case. The "false" ramrods on these pistols were either NOT removable, or were short imitations like your's. Both are common features to these pistols. The Turks (and the Greeks) prefered to load their pistols with a seperate metal ramrod called a Suma, either tucked in their sash or suspended from the neck with a throng. Why they bothered with "looks like a ramrod, but not" under the stock is still a mystery. Guess it was just a styling feature. But every one I've seen (alot) is this way. Again, nice looking pistol. :thumbsup: Rick.

 

[theloneranger]

Thanks for the info! I wonder if I could still shoot this thing? I found a strange flask a few years ago, it looks like it is from the same area?

 

[rickystl]

Hi Ranger. That Powder Flask is likely from Afganastan. Possibly made from a Camel scrotom (not a misprint)covered in leather. Looks to be in good condition. :thumbsup: Rick.

 

[rickystl]

I wonder if I could still shoot this thing?

If the lock is in working order I'm sure you can. HOWEVER, please have the barrel inspected by a competent - black powder muzzle loading - gunsmith BEFORE attempting to fire it. That includes having the breech plug removed for inspection. These barrels were usually locally made of iron, and not necessarily up to European standards. And, especially in that part of the World, I am not sure they were properly cleaned after they were fired. Rust in the barrel can cause thin spots on the walls. The barrel made only need burnishing to bring it up to snuff. The best, safest way is to have a barrel liner installed. However, this may detract from the value of the Pistol.
Here is an original I shoot. This one has a barrel liner installed from Bob Hoyt. (And I have another in the works). Hope this helps. Rick.