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Percussion Pistol Identification - Breslau

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Rangerbuck

32 Cal
Joined
May 19, 2023
Messages
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Location
Pennsylvania
The family inherited a pistol recently. The most recent owner (deceased) had no documentation for it. Im trying yo determine its age, provenance, maker, origin, anything i can find out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The family is presently undecided if they want to sell. I imagine its value may have a deciding factor 😊.
So anything you are able to provide will be very helpful. I found your site, called the number and the lady answering the phone was quite pleasant and provided me with directions to email you and provide photos. I have attached a number of photos. If you need additional please let me know.
It is heavily engraved. My guess is it is German or Prussian and possibly half of a set of dueling pistols. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I have more photos if needed. The site only allows 10.
Regards
Mick Crowder
Pennsylvania
 

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That is a very fine pistol. The overall style, smoothbore and number (2) make it very likely one of a duelling pair. It appears that it may be a conversion from an originally flintlock arm, and it would be interesting to know what, exactly, the levered plate which appears to support the percussion bolster and nipple does. Is there a name inscribed on the barrel? Does the trigger function as a set trigger? Breslau is an originally German city which was ceded to Poland after WW2, and renamed Wroclaw.

mhb - MIke
 
Beautiful piece. I love to see detailed engraving like this. Give me the old artisans work any day over CNG.
 
The piece under the bolster is a safety. Rotated 90 deg. clockwise it will block the cock.

I thought about that, but, in the photos, the geometry looks wrong for that purpose - with the hammer down (as it is), it appears that the 'safety' would still rotate without contacting the breast of the cock. It is possible that, if the lock was converted from flint, the geometry of the original cock might have allowed the necessary contact to permit proper function of such a safety feature.

mhb - MIke
 
This in fact is one of a typical pair of (then) German duellers .

The nipple was perhaps replaced by one , being a little bit longer than the original one .
With a shorter nipple , the sear will prevent the contact of the hammer , when it is turned down , and will also prevent the loss of a cap , because the nose of the hammer will encircle , but not touch it .

Sadly , the overall condition will need lots of work to bring it to collectible shape , therefore , me , personally , woud keep it as e heritage .

But that's only my 2ct
 
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