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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: munjoanron on Friday 20 April 18 08:20 BST (UK)

Title: Gunsmiths - dating a muzzle loading pistol
Post by: munjoanron on Friday 20 April 18 08:20 BST (UK)
Can any of you eagle-eyed contributors help me with this or point me in the right direction.  A local history group is working in a museum for gunsmiths and cutlers and we have a pistol which we are trying to attribute to a particular gunmaker and we need to know roughly the year it was made.  Don't know much about pistols but we do know it is possibly early 19th century.  It does not seem to have a trigger which seems odd and not sure how the firing mechanism works.  See photo attached - which I am afraid is not very clear.
Title: Re: Gunsmiths - dating a muzzle loading pistol
Post by: stanmapstone on Friday 20 April 18 08:40 BST (UK)
It will have a folding trigger, see http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lx5/

Stan
Title: Re: Gunsmiths - dating a muzzle loading pistol
Post by: Ruskie on Friday 20 April 18 08:44 BST (UK)
Similar but not the same is a :Pedersoli screw barrel .44 black powder pistol with folding trigger - derringer No 0839. Made in Italy. (am unable to copy and paste the image for some reason)
The only ones I could find with "no trigger" were Derringer.

Does it have any markings on it?


Title: Re: Gunsmiths - dating a muzzle loading pistol
Post by: C P Rayson on Friday 20 April 18 08:44 BST (UK)
Hi

This looks very similar
http://www.grahamsmithantiques.com/sold-archive-c42/pair-of-percussion-cap-pocket-pistols-p2172
Precussion caps were introduced circa 1820

Do you know if the pistols has any proof marks that may help dating etc

Chris
Title: Re: Gunsmiths - dating a muzzle loading pistol
Post by: munjoanron on Friday 20 April 18 09:04 BST (UK)
Many thanks all of you - particularly Chris.  That image looks almost identical.  Need to go back again to look at the markings but that has given us a huge start.
Title: Re: Gunsmiths - dating a muzzle loading pistol
Post by: Flattybasher9 on Friday 20 April 18 10:12 BST (UK)
Have a look at

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lx7/

or, scroll down to 3rd picture, "b"

http://sportsmansvintagepress.com/read-free/book-pistol-revolver-table-contents/caplock-pistols-the-percussion-system/

The GrahamSmith antiques pistols are "Box-lock" pistols. Your one is not.

Malky
Title: Re: Gunsmiths - dating a muzzle loading pistol
Post by: munjoanron on Friday 20 April 18 13:29 BST (UK)
Thanks Flattybasher - Wiki tells me that Caplocks were known as Percussion Locks in Europe?  Would I be right in thinking that it was manufactured some time between 1820 and 1840 or could it be earlier?
Title: Re: Gunsmiths - dating a muzzle loading pistol
Post by: youngtug on Friday 20 April 18 18:43 BST (UK)
I would say no earlier than 1830 and probably later.
Title: Re: Gunsmiths - dating a muzzle loading pistol
Post by: munjoanron on Friday 20 April 18 20:22 BST (UK)
Quote from: youngtug on Friday 20 April 18 18:43 BST (UK)
I would say no earlier than 1830 and probably later.

OK many thanks Youngtug.