SOLD Late 1600s or early 1700s pistol

[Flintlock1640]

Nice old original 300+ year old pistol. Repair to wood beside barrel tang. It's above .50 calibre but not sure how much, maybe .54? Bore needs cleaned but I don't see any major issues should you want to shoot it. Lock screws are modern. $600 obo plus shipping from Covington VA 24426. I accept PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, check or money order.

 

[nit wit]

drop a AAA battery down the bore and take a photo.
NW

 

[Flintlock1640]

drop a AAA battery down the bore and take a photo.
NW

This is AA caliber. I tried it first and it partially fit lol. I was able to see down the barrel better but I wasn't able to photograph it, sorry. It's rusty but I still think perfectly safe with a light load.

 

[Benjamin_Martin]

Are there any barrel markings

 

[Flintlock1640]

Are there any barrel markings

I haven't taken off the barrel to check underneath. Nothing is visible

 

[Flintlock1640]

btt, drop to $575, same terms.

 

[Benjamin_Martin]

btt, drop to $575, same terms.

Definitely an intriguing gun that I am interested in. How did you verify it is original, as it is in such great condition?

 

[Flintlock1640]

Definitely an intriguing gun that I am interested in. How did you verify it is original, as it is in such great condition?

Europeans tend to overclean to American tastes. That's why antiques from over there are almost always in the white. Looking at the age of the wood, how it is slightly shrunk around the side plate. The aging around the metal pins holding stock and ramrod pipes. The details of the lock and other parts. You can get a good quality casting but without a lot of work, it is still not the sharp detail of the original. I don't know of anyone making castings like that frizzen for instance. It's helpful to get some experience working on these. I know how to make it look old, not as well as others, but I can make a restoration look period enough that it isn't jarring. It helps to know what to look for. The first thing to look at is the screws. I'll grant you that the lock pin screws are modern but every one of the lock internal and external screws is handmade and hand threaded not using a modern thread. There's not a doubt in my mind that the pistol is original. The sideplate is a bit odd. I suspect that when they cleaned off the rust they rounded the edges by accident and wiped off any engraving. If it had not been over-cleaned and had period screws on the lock and a less odd sideplate it would be at least $200 more expensive. I've tried to keep it's flaws accounted for in the price. If you are interested I can post it in the discussion portion of the forum so you can get other opinions and I can get photos of the inside of the side plate/wood and inside of lock and lock mortice in the wood.

 

[Tumbledown]

Europeans tend to overclean to American tastes. That's why antiques from over there are almost always in the white.

No, Americans tend to overvalue "patina" that is really just the results of neglect.

 

[Flintlock1640]

No, Americans tend to overvalue "patina" that is really just the results of neglect.

Minor philosophical difference. Americans want a 300 year old item to show it's age. The Europeans will clean it till it looks like it did when in use. Neither is right or wrong, just different.

 

[Flintlock1640]

I need the money, weekend sale, going through Monday I will sell this for $500 plus shipping. Online payment would be best so I can make a payment on or before Monday.

 

[Benjamin_Martin]

Europeans tend to overclean to American tastes. That's why antiques from over there are almost always in the white. Looking at the age of the wood, how it is slightly shrunk around the side plate. The aging around the metal pins holding stock and ramrod pipes. The details of the lock and other parts. You can get a good quality casting but without a lot of work, it is still not the sharp detail of the original. I don't know of anyone making castings like that frizzen for instance. It's helpful to get some experience working on these. I know how to make it look old, not as well as others, but I can make a restoration look period enough that it isn't jarring. It helps to know what to look for. The first thing to look at is the screws. I'll grant you that the lock pin screws are modern but every one of the lock internal and external screws is handmade and hand threaded not using a modern thread. There's not a doubt in my mind that the pistol is original. The sideplate is a bit odd. I suspect that when they cleaned off the rust they rounded the edges by accident and wiped off any engraving. If it had not been over-cleaned and had period screws on the lock and a less odd sideplate it would be at least $200 more expensive. I've tried to keep it's flaws accounted for in the price. If you are interested I can post it in the discussion portion of the forum so you can get other opinions and I can get photos of the inside of the side plate/wood and inside of lock and lock mortice in the wood.

Interested, can I see the inside of the side plate/lock/wood?

 

[Flintlock1640]

Interested, can I see the inside of the side plate/lock/wood?

Here's the side plate and old wood inletting. To be clear, now that I've had it apart, I believe the side plate is modern, hand fitted to the old. It's not perfect but they put a lot of time into making it. The lock mortice is good showing the repair visible from the outside. Lock has some good early features like that stepped sear and very early style internal bridle for the tumbler.

 

[Benjamin_Martin]

Here's the side plate and old wood inletting. To be clear, now that I've had it apart, I believe the side plate is modern, hand fitted to the old. It's not perfect but they put a lot of time into making it. The lock mortice is good showing the repair visible from the outside. Lock has some good early features like that stepped sear and very early style internal bridle for the tumbler.

That’s awesome, definitely interested. Heavily considering it

 

[florkinliege]

What size is the lock?