Help Identifying Percussion Pistol

[Dan01.wilson]

Please help me identify this pistol. It was represented simply as "1830 pistol converted from flintlock to percussion".
▪︎6-15/16" octagon barrel. 0.658" bore.
▪︎stirrup rammer.
▪︎checkered walnut stock. no butt cap or straps
▪︎faint "London" on top of barrel.
▪︎#11 percussion cap fits nipple.
▪︎fully functional.
▪︎maker name on lockplate too faint to read.

Thanks very much.

 

[Dan01.wilson]

Here is the maker's name on the lockplate. "D" something?

Thanks

 

[TFoley]

It's nice, but I bet it's weight in donuts that it was never any kind of a flintlock - the lock on it now dates from around the 1840's - the style that was new then - and the shape of the wood at the front of the lockplate looks original - no room for a flintlock, uh, lock, pan and frizzen. Also, the captive ramrod is more often than not a feature of a pistol carried by a horseman. The name on the lockplate is most likely the name of the maker of the lockplate - gunmakers' names are more usually found on the top flat of the barrel.

The lack of a skull-bashing grip plate and lanyard ring makes it likely to have been a large-calibre travelling pistol suitable for a horsed gentleman, rather than a martial pistol like that issue to a lancer or dragoon of the day.

It's a nice-looking piece, and is most probably English, but without taking it down to see the proof marks, we'll never know.

Is it a decent price? Like $350 - 500? If so, just nod.

 

[ord sgt]

It looks to be a Tower pistol, usually .69 calibre in bore size.

 

[Dan01.wilson]

It's nice, but I bet it's weight in donuts that it was never any kind of a flintlock - the lock on it now dates from around the 1840's - the style that was new then - and the shape of the wood at the front of the lockplate looks original - no room for a flintlock, uh, lock, pan and frizzen. Also, the captive ramrod is more often than not a feature of a pistol carried by a horseman. The name on the lockplate is most likely the name of the maker of the lockplate - gunmakers' names are more usually found on the top flat of the barrel.

The lack of a skull-bashing grip plate and lanyard ring makes it likely to have been a large-calibre travelling pistol suitable for a horsed gentleman, rather than a martial pistol like that issue to a lancer or dragoon of the day.

It's a nice-looking piece, and is most probably English, but without taking it down to see the proof marks, we'll never know.

Is it a decent price? Like $350 - 500? If so, just nod.

I paid $250. I have thoroughly enjoyed researching it.

 

[Dan01.wilson]

It looks to be a Tower pistol, usually .69 calibre in bore size.

Bore mikes out 0.658". I found some 0.648" balls and I may shoot it at some point.

 

[TFoley]

For a 'stolen' pistol, that sounds like a lot of fun!

 

[nit wit]

You did well. Google English pistol makers.
Nit Wit

 

[Dan01.wilson]

I was hoping I hadn't paid too much. They also had a cased pair of Wilson dueling pistols, very fine, which I bid up to $2500 or so. I wasn't going to let somebody steal them. Somebody knew what they were worth. I think they went for $5000 or so.

 

[Dan01.wilson]

You did well. Google English pistol makers.
Nit Wit

I did. It most resembles a Richard Fenton (London) piece, but it also looks like a Nock pistol and W. Rigby of Dublin Ireland. There's one screw that will not budge. Maybe I can take the trigger guard off and get some PB Blaster in there. I would really love to know the maker.

 

[toot]

It's nice, but I bet it's weight in donuts that it was never any kind of a flintlock - the lock on it now dates from around the 1840's - the style that was new then - and the shape of the wood at the front of the lockplate looks original - no room for a flintlock, uh, lock, pan and frizzen. Also, the captive ramrod is more often than not a feature of a pistol carried by a horseman. The name on the lockplate is most likely the name of the maker of the lockplate - gunmakers' names are more usually found on the top flat of the barrel.

The lack of a skull-bashing grip plate and lanyard ring makes it likely to have been a large-calibre travelling pistol suitable for a horsed gentleman, rather than a martial pistol like that issue to a lancer or dragoon of the day.

It's a nice-looking piece, and is most probably English, but without taking it down to see the proof marks, we'll never know.

Is it a decent price? Like $350 - 500? If so, just nod.

and it is a back action lock. not the kind used on flintlock's.

 

[toot]

back action flint lock's were used to make them on the STOGERS, CONGO GUNS. but were never used in real time / back in the day.

 

[Dan01.wilson]

I did. It most resembles a Richard Fenton (London) piece, but it also looks like a Nock pistol and W. Rigby of Dublin Ireland. There's one screw that will not budge. Maybe I can take the trigger guard off and get some PB Blaster in there. I would really love to know the maker.

This Rigby pistol from Dublin, Ireland is the only one where the screws in the lockplate are spaced exactly like on my pistol. But my barrel is inscribed "London" ?? I think Rigby had a presence in London, but it was later, maybe 1860s.

 

[TFoley]

and it is a back action lock. not the kind used on flintlock's.

I thought that the gist of my post stated just that very thing. Isn't that how you read it?

 

[user 48679]

Very nice grab, regardless of the maker...…

 

[Zonie]

I thought that the gist of my post stated just that very thing. Isn't that how you read it?

I think they are responding to whoever told you, " "1830 pistol converted from flintlock to percussion" .

Whoever said that was wrong.

 

[Dan01.wilson]

I think they are responding to whoever told you, " "1830 pistol converted from flintlock to percussion" .

Whoever said that was wrong.

That was the description from the auction house.

 

[TFoley]

That was the description from the auction house.

The auction house knows jack. Even I know the difference.

 

[Dan01.wilson]

They were careful to state that all descriptions came from the consignor. LOL. Whatever.

 

[Dan01.wilson]

View attachment 69218View attachment 69219View attachment 69220
Please help me identify this pistol. It was represented simply as "1830 pistol converted from flintlock to percussion".
▪︎6-15/16" octagon barrel. 0.658" bore.
▪︎stirrup rammer.
▪︎checkered walnut stock. no butt cap or straps
▪︎faint "London" on top of barrel.
▪︎#11 percussion cap fits nipple.
▪︎fully functional.
▪︎maker name on lockplate too faint to read.

Thanks very much.

I was able to get the stock off. Can anyone identify these proof marks? I attached two pictures of the same thing, with different lighting.

Thanks very much for your shared expertise.