Unknown Percussion Pistol

trenchwarfare · 17th September 2013, 09:06 PM

A recent addition to the collection. Was listed as European, but I question that. My gut says Japanese. Mainly by the cannon muzzle, and sash hook. Whatever it is, the time of mfg. was well into the modern age. Mainspring is in the grip frame, like a revolver. Approx. .46 cal. Very simple mechanism but, extremely well made. Weighs over 3 lbs. Rammer also is a cleaning rod, screw driver, nipple wrench, and vent prick. A lot of time went into this pistol. Barrel, and other parts are lacquered, not blued. Mods, please leave this here for a while, before moving to the European forum.

David · 17th September 2013, 10:06 PM

Is that a stylized dolphin i spy on the hammer? Could be a clue.

trenchwarfare · 18th September 2013, 12:29 AM

Yes, the hammer is in the form of a stylized Dolphin. Similar to some of the ones, found in Japanese art.

JamesKelly · 18th September 2013, 02:45 AM

There are ten decorative grooves turned in the barrel.
Can't tell from the photo - are they square-bottomed, or V-bottomed grooves?
Odd question, I know, and this is a stretch, just from examining one modern made version of a Colt Paterson pocket pistol. I think that modern machinists are accustomed to use a square-pointed tool to machine nice neat square bottom grooves. Early 19th century guys used more of a V-point & cut decorative grooves like the threads on a screw.
Whatever the nation of origin I am inclined to think this a 20th century piece.
Just my opinion.
(Newbie to knives, oldie to guns)

trenchwarfare · 18th September 2013, 05:15 AM

Grooves are "V" shaped, with one bevel being longer than the other. I'm inclined to believe that it is very late 19th, early 20th century. Possibly made for an older person, more accustomed to older designs. Kinda like the Murata bolt action guns, made in the form of a Tanegashima. The hammer "mouth", is deeply recessed. Being made like that, would accommodate a paper cap, or pill, as well as standard percussion cap.

David R · 18th September 2013, 09:48 PM

I posted a link to this to a friend who is a working gunsmith and restorer, and he thinks it a 20thC piece....

17th September 2013, 09:06 PM	#1
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Unknown Percussion Pistol A recent addition to the collection. Was listed as European, but I question that. My gut says Japanese. Mainly by the cannon muzzle, and sash hook. Whatever it is, the time of mfg. was well into the modern age. Mainspring is in the grip frame, like a revolver. Approx. .46 cal. Very simple mechanism but, extremely well made. Weighs over 3 lbs. Rammer also is a cleaning rod, screw driver, nipple wrench, and vent prick. A lot of time went into this pistol. Barrel, and other parts are lacquered, not blued. Mods, please leave this here for a while, before moving to the European forum. Attached Images

17th September 2013, 10:06 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	Is that a stylized dolphin i spy on the hammer? Could be a clue.

18th September 2013, 12:29 AM	#3
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Yes, the hammer is in the form of a stylized Dolphin. Similar to some of the ones, found in Japanese art.

18th September 2013, 02:45 AM	#4
JamesKelly Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Michigan, U.S.A. Posts: 108	There are ten decorative grooves turned in the barrel. Can't tell from the photo - are they square-bottomed, or V-bottomed grooves? Odd question, I know, and this is a stretch, just from examining one modern made version of a Colt Paterson pocket pistol. I think that modern machinists are accustomed to use a square-pointed tool to machine nice neat square bottom grooves. Early 19th century guys used more of a V-point & cut decorative grooves like the threads on a screw. Whatever the nation of origin I am inclined to think this a 20th century piece. Just my opinion. (Newbie to knives, oldie to guns)

18th September 2013, 05:15 AM	#5
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Grooves are "V" shaped, with one bevel being longer than the other. I'm inclined to believe that it is very late 19th, early 20th century. Possibly made for an older person, more accustomed to older designs. Kinda like the Murata bolt action guns, made in the form of a Tanegashima. The hammer "mouth", is deeply recessed. Being made like that, would accommodate a paper cap, or pill, as well as standard percussion cap.

18th September 2013, 09:48 PM	#6
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	I posted a link to this to a friend who is a working gunsmith and restorer, and he thinks it a 20thC piece....