Algerian Pistol - Sad Story with Happy Ending

[rickystl]

Hello All.

Back Story: I won this pistol at auction late last year. The first two photos below shows how the pistol arrived after unpacking. Fortunately, the shipment was insured. So I took photos and gathered all the paperwork and evidence, and filed a claim with FED-X. A couple months later I finally received a phone call asking me to bring everything to one of their local branches. The adjuster was actually very nice and reasonable. While we both agreed the box itself could have been a bit better for shipping, it was packed well enough that it should have arrived unharmed. But he had to agree that at some point the box was sitting on one end and something heavy was dropped on it. There was no mistake about this with the evidence on the box. DARN. I really wanted this pistol but knew I would have to be satisfied just getting a refund for all/most of my cost. Then, the adjuster asked me what I think it would cost to repair the stock. And I said probably about half the cost or more of what I paid for it. And then the adjuster asked me something I was not ready for. He offered to refund about 2/3rds my cost - AND - I would keep the pistol !! And I agreed. Did not expect this at all.

Second Problem: There was wood missing from the lower rear lock area that had been painted/stained black so it did not show up well in the black and white auction photos. As well some of the silver stock decoration was missing around the lock and barrel tang area. Neither of these issues was disclosed in the auction description.

So, as you can imagine, I was very disappointed all around. I'll post Phase-II on the next post.

Rick

[rickystl]

Hello Again.

Phase-II: Restoration begins..........
I sent the stock to be restored to fellow Forum member Philip Tom for repairs.
Philip restored the grip and trigger guard area as well as added the missing wood around the lock area. You cannot even tell any work was ever done !!
What a masterful job. (Thank You Philip!!!!).
While this was being done, I took the lock and let it soak in Krol Oil for a week. Then completely disassembled it and gave it a through cleaning with brushes and oil. The lock would not hold on full cock. But this was due to hardened dirt, grime, and even a trace of hardened black powder. The lock cleaned up well and functions well. Strong mainspring that still locks positively in both half and full cock notches. And a bit of a surprise that the cleaning exposed: Bot he tumbler and trigger bar (sear) have most of their fire blue finish still intact. Which makes me think that the entire lock may have originally been fire blued before the silver decoration was added. Hmmm. Anyway, very happy with the lock clean up.

When I originally sent the stock to Philip it still had the barrel intact. So after he sent it back to me I removed the barrel to clean it and discovered another issue. LOL There was a splice about 8" long down the center of the forend. DARN. I should have removed the barrel first before sending it to Philip. My bad. Philip could have fixed this also while the stock was there. There was no way to tell this without removing the barrel. Fortunately, it was a clean, lengthwise split and was easily glued together using ZAP Medium viscosity glue. Forend now holds firmly. All is good. Just have to re-assemble everything. I'll post pics of the finished gun next Post. Meantime, here is the cleaned up lock........

Rick

Rick

[rickystl]

Now to post photos of the finished gun ready to join the collection....

The original auction description listed this pistol as Moroccan (which it could be). But from the beginning, I believed it was Algerian. (Philip Tom agreed with me). The silver decoration on the stock is done in a manner VERY similar to what you see on many Algerian long guns.
Before the auction, I also believed that both the lock and barrel were both European. The mechanicals of the lock are much better than the locally made Balkan style flintlocks. Even the threads on the screws are up to European snuff. Very high quality lock and functions perfect.
The barrel also looks to be of European manufacture with it's fluted area resembling Bresican barrels from the 17th Century. The barrel is 16.5" long and .54 caliber. The OAL of the pistol is 22.5" So it's a large example.

So in sum, I believe I have an Algerian pistol, assembled locally, using a high quality European (probably Italy) lock and barrel. Here are some pics of the finished gun. Photo heavy. What are others thoughts on the origin(s) of final assembly ? Thanks for viewing and any relies.

Rick

[rickystl]

MORE PICS........

[rickystl]

STILL MORE PICS........

[rickystl]

LAST ONES.......