Mystery Matchlock

[Alden]

You were underatandably skeptical in a similar thread quite afew years ago here. But of course you are off on this issue. I mean, I have two... LOL





But a little more seriously, there were matchlocks. Ipso facto there were matchlock handguns.

 

[robinghewitt]

I have no wish to rain on your parade, I will happily believe in matchlock pistols if it is important to you. You might need to remind me next time the subject comes up though :thumbsup:

 

[MacRob46]

Why yes you do have two and the American version is absolutely stunning!!!

 

[Alden]

Can I use some horrid low-budget movie* about Jamestown's founding where Capt. John Smith gave the Indians guns, these including matchlock pistols, as a cite?

*It wasn't the artsy, pediphilic, The New World which, having just seen the extended Director's Cut, made me realize I fell asleep through much of it when I saw it in the theater with my significant other and her mum but they (quite kindly) never woke me. Nevertheless even the little I saw of the shorter version made me feel as though I had been rudely taken advantage of at the time... I had blacked it all out of my memory.

 

[rickystl]

Hi JShaff.
I believe what you have, which is commonly referred to in collectors circles, as a Victorian Era Copy.
During the Victorian period (about 1840 - 1900) early arms were all the rage with decorators throughout much of Europe. Copies of guns, swords, even complete suits of armour were made for decorative purposes. I have seen a number of these Victorian copies over the years. I even own two pistols myself. Most of the guns I've seen utilize a combination of original left over parts, and new made (for then) parts. I've seen two decorated wheellocks using an original lock plate and dog, but with no internal working parts. Many of the guns were made with exaggerated bore sizes - just for "effect". :haha:
I do believe you have one of these pistols made for decorative effect during this period. That's why it looks old, but not that old.
If you like, I can post photos of my two Victorian Era pistols if you like?
Hope this helps. Thanks for posting. Rick. :hatsoff:

 

[robinghewitt]

commonly referred to in collectors circles, as a Victorian Era Copy.

I bought one of those, it was a musket, cost me about $600 for the most rubbish piece of worm eaten mahogany this side of Christendom, no lock and the side plate was sawn out of 1/16" plywood painted silver.

I took the barrel out, drove up to Leeds and showed it to some gun geek at the Royal Armouries. I think he was having a bad hair day or something, he looked at it and said, "1640, too rusty to tell if the stamp is a helm, goodbye."

If that miserable SOB hadn't been so butt ugly I probably would have kissed him, because that was exactly what I wanted to hear. Over here it is only the age of the barrel that decides if a muzzle loader requires a licence and whether you have to keep it locked in a gun safe.

 

[MacRob46]

Want to see a really nice copy of the 17th c. Scottish pistol from the Victorian era? Check this out http://www.icollector.com/Handmade...aunce-belt-pistol-38-cal-11-iron-ca_i8787547. It is quite nice actually and must have brought a tidy sum at auction.

 

[jonathan.shaffner]

Ricky,

That would be great. I look forward to seeing it.

 

[rickystl]

Hi Mac. Yes, the quality seems to vary greatly. Guess it depends on what the original purchaser was willing to pay.
While at the 2011 Antique Arms Show in Baltimore, there was an original 17th Century Scottish snaphaunce pistol that went to auction. I didn't bid on it because I knew it would go for $$Thousands$$ But I did get to handle it!
Rick. :hatsoff:

 

[rickystl]

OK. Here is a Spanish "looking" pistol. :haha:
This is a good example of a Victorian Period copy.
I would grade it about Medium quality. The lock is an original Spanish miquelet lock. Which is the only reason I bought it, was to get the lock. And, got it for a cheap price. The brass mounts are original Spanish from ? something. :haha: The barrel of exaggerated size is actually just a piece of pipe. Enjoy. Rick. :hatsoff:

 

[Alden]

Nicely staged pics Ricky! Luv the lock -- wish I could see the mainspring passing thru to the heel...

 

[rickystl]

Hi Alden! I could probably get that pic for you. The lock itself works fine. Notice the above photo that the lock is not even inlet into the stock. Only one side lock screw is utilized. The other The other is just a small wood screw used in front of the lock plate to hold it in place. :haha: Rick. :hatsoff:

 

[Alden]

Don't go to any trouble for pic but they were nicely compsed and the lock is just cool.

 

[jonathan.shaffner]

Now that is interesting, it may have some value after all. Just not as a firing piece. I guess you can fire anything once though.