3414

ATTRACTIVE EARLY 18TH CENTURY SILVER MOUNTED

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
ATTRACTIVE EARLY 18TH CENTURY SILVER MOUNTED
FLINTLOCK PISTOL WITH MOORISH BARREL. Cal. 50. NSN. During the 18th Century good quality barrel making material was very hard to come by in Europe. Many gunmakers sourced their barrels from the Middle East where the art of forging "Damascus" barrels originated. Many of these barrels were originally finished with gold and silver inlay and were used "as found" by European and English gunmakers. This appears to be the case with this high quality pistol that although unsigned, appears to be Germanic. The 12 1/2" deeply swamped round barrel with deep etched damascus finish shows a large number of scrolling silver acanthus inlays with some gold floral accents. A cartouche at top rear of barrel is missing and was probably gold, bearing maker's mark. Barrel appears to be older than pistol and has newer breech plug fitted. Early style flint lock with sharply chamfered plate features serpentine cock, inset faceted pan, unbridled friction frizzen and file decorated feather spring with fancy flame finial. Lock plate and cock are engraved with scroll. Stock with birds head grip appears to be of fruitwood and extends to muzzle with horn tip. Raised mouldings are present around lock, sideplate and ramrod channel. Raised carving is behind thimble and barrel tang. Incised lines outline trigger guard and grip cap. Furniture is of silver and is filed with scrolling outline and is nicely scroll engraved. It consists of trigger guard, buttcap, one piece sideplate, crestplate and beaded ramrod pipe and matching thimble. CONDITION: very fine. Barrel retaining most of it original finish which shows considerable wear. Lock and breech plug tang are bright polished and appear to be original. Stock shows many scattered marks and a few dings in its old possibly original finish. Silver mounts show old cleaning and are lightly toned. Stock is mostly sound except for noted old repair around tip of grip. Bore is lightly pitted. Lock is very fine mechanically. (01-24383/MGM). ANTIQUE. $2,000-3,000.