This antique flintlock belt pistol has a French influence and is neatly decorated with silver wire inlay for a gentleman. This pistol has a .52 caliber smoothbore Damascus octagon-to-round barrel. The stock shows a visible repair all the way around the grip. Stocked in walnut, and trimmed in iron furniture, this antique pistol has a warm patina. This pistol is unsigned as to a maker.
The octagon-to-round Damascus pistol barrel is .52 caliber smoothbore and measures 5-3/4" long. The barrel is octagon the first 2-1/2" with a single wedding band transition before turning round. The muzzle is decorated with a turned cannon barrel ring. The barrel has aged to a silvery brown and the Damascus pattern is clearly visible. The bore is bright, but does have some deep pitting near the muzzle. No front or rear sight was fitted, typical of a pistol designed to be used at close range.
The walnut stock is neatly decorated with raised carving and silver wire inlay. The stock has a visible repair through the grip. The top of the grip is neatly checkered and surrounded with an incised carved border. The flared tang of the breech plug is engraved and surrounded by raised carving with a floral pattern that transitions into the checkering. The iron buttcap is neatly engraved with a military coat of arms. Silver wire inlay decorates the grip, the lock panels, and surrounds the ramrod channel. The wire inlay on the lower lock panel is missing. The iron triggerguard is retained with pins, and we note the silver wire inlay that once surrounded the triggerguard has been removed. The bow and front finial of the guard are decorated with floral engraving. The wooden ramrod is fitted with an iron loading tip and passes through a single iron ramrod pipe and entry pipe with pointed skirt. Two bolts pass through a large sideplate with floral engraving to secure the lock on the opposite side. The front lock bolt is a modern replacement.
The unmarked round faced lock is polished bright and lock uses a 5/8" wide by 3/4" long flint. The direct drilled touch hole is well centered on the pan. The lock has very good architecture with the flash fence placed at the rear of the barrel. A single trigger is pinned high for good leverage against the sear.
With a wonderful warm patina and beautiful wire inlay, this French influenced pistol will be a great conversation piece to display. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else return it in same condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, your cost of inspecting our offerings, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.
