Identification and dating of Flintlock pistols

ozhunter · 14th March 2016, 12:43 AM

Hello all

My first post here after lurking for a while.

I have a couple of Flintlock pistols that I beleive are Albanian and French made for Turkey, that I would like help with proper identification and dating.

Is the the correct forum to post my questions and pictures?

Regards

rickystl · 14th March 2016, 10:46 AM

Hi ozhunter. Welcome to the Forum. From your description, this should be the correct Forum. Please post photos and any information you have. Thanks, Rick.

ozhunter · 14th March 2016, 01:15 PM

OK then. The first one, I think, is an Albanian Miguelet (Rat Tail) flintlock pistol. Have I got this right?

Is there a way to tell a fake from the real deal?

There are no markings that I can find on the pistol.

If it appears to be a legitimate piece, how do you determine what era it is from?

Many thanks

fernando · 14th March 2016, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozhunter

OK then. The first one, I think, is an Albanian Miguelet (Rat Tail) flintlock pistol. Have I got this right?

Yes, you are right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozhunter

Is there a way to tell a fake from the real deal?

It looks real

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozhunter

There are no markings that I can find on the pistol.

Markings only appear from time to time; and some times they may not make sense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozhunter

If it appears to be a legitimate piece, how do you determine what era it is from?

second half 19th century ?

... but let others correct me where i am wrong

.

Kubur · 14th March 2016, 10:26 PM

Hi,
Rick is probably the best member to answer.
Yes your first pistol is a very good rat tail.
The second one is a so-called mediterranean pistol, French, Italian for export I dont know... In good condition but not a masterpiece. I prefer your rattail, both 19th c. of course.
Best,
Kubur

ozhunter · 15th March 2016, 01:03 AM

Thanks for the replies. I forgot to add that they both have the false ramrod. One day I will procure a ramrod that is from the same era, for these pistols.

Ian · 14th March 2016, 03:45 PM

Hello ozhunter. Yes, you are in the correct place. Welcome to the Forum.

Ian.

ozhunter · 14th March 2016, 01:22 PM

This one I beleive to be of French manufactured pistol, for Turkey or maybe more broadly the Ottoman empire. How close did I get?

I am going to get better photos of the marks on the top of the barrel later in the week.

Once again, is there any chance of picking a fake from the real thing.

What period do you think it is from?

Forgive the quality of the last photo, I'll get a better one this week. I only added it because of the detail at the root of the spring.

Many thanks

14th March 2016, 12:43 AM	#1
ozhunter Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 8	Identification and dating of Flintlock pistols Hello all My first post here after lurking for a while. I have a couple of Flintlock pistols that I beleive are Albanian and French made for Turkey, that I would like help with proper identification and dating. Is the the correct forum to post my questions and pictures? Regards

14th March 2016, 01:15 PM	#3
ozhunter Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 8	OK then. The first one, I think, is an Albanian Miguelet (Rat Tail) flintlock pistol. Have I got this right? Is there a way to tell a fake from the real deal? There are no markings that I can find on the pistol. If it appears to be a legitimate piece, how do you determine what era it is from? Many thanks Attached Images

14th March 2016, 01:22 PM	#8
ozhunter Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 8	This one I beleive to be of French manufactured pistol, for Turkey or maybe more broadly the Ottoman empire. How close did I get? I am going to get better photos of the marks on the top of the barrel later in the week. Once again, is there any chance of picking a fake from the real thing. What period do you think it is from? Forgive the quality of the last photo, I'll get a better one this week. I only added it because of the detail at the root of the spring. Many thanks Attached Images

14th March 2016, 10:46 AM	#2
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,623	Hi ozhunter. Welcome to the Forum. From your description, this should be the correct Forum. Please post photos and any information you have. Thanks, Rick.

14th March 2016, 10:26 PM	#5
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi, Rick is probably the best member to answer. Yes your first pistol is a very good rat tail. The second one is a so-called mediterranean pistol, French, Italian for export I dont know... In good condition but not a masterpiece. I prefer your rattail, both 19th c. of course. Best, Kubur

15th March 2016, 01:03 AM	#6
ozhunter Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 8	Thanks for the replies. I forgot to add that they both have the false ramrod. One day I will procure a ramrod that is from the same era, for these pistols.

14th March 2016, 03:45 PM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Hello ozhunter. Yes, you are in the correct place. Welcome to the Forum. Ian.