Unknown gun/pistol

corrado26 · 12th February 2017, 01:48 PM

I have in my collection since a very long time this flintlock gun or pistol and I have been all the years without any success in finding out where and when and for which purpose this piece has been made.
The mounts are probably of cast silver, the trigger and the trigger plate look like Gold, all silver wire inlays are complete and the wood is without any damage.
There is a signature "NOLTEN" or "NOLTON" on the lockplate, but the first "N" is written differently to the last one what seems for me to be very strange. There are no marks or stamps on the barrel or the inside of the lock.
The ramrod is not extendable, jus cut into the wood.

Thanks a lot for your attention
corrado26

corrado26 · 12th February 2017, 01:50 PM

Some more fotos:

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 12th February 2017, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado26

Some more fotos:

I see this was discussed at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20192 . It looks like an Ottoman blunderbus and perhaps the name is ZULTEN ?

Pukka Bundook · 12th February 2017, 04:04 PM

Yes, as above, what we normally classify an Ottoman or sometimes a Turkish blunderbuss.

These appear to have originated in England, with this very short buttstock,
(See GBG 1540 to 1740.... Neil & Back)
This is an early one and Very high quality.
The lock and furniture appear in the style of late 17th C.

Very Nice piece and thanks for showing!

Richard.

Kubur · 12th February 2017, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

I see this was discussed at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20192 . It looks like an Ottoman blunderbus and perhaps the name is ZULTEN ?

Yes, as you said previously it's an Ottoman blunderbuss.
I don't understand your question as you are clearly aware of this type of gun and flintlocks in general... Strange question unless you have another idea in mind... It's a beautiful piece, Ottoman. Your gun is too nice to be from the Balkans. I think it's a Turkish piece from the late 18th or early 19th c. The name on the lock is an attempt to imitate English locks, many Turkish barrels have LONDON with an inverted N.

corrado26 · 12th February 2017, 06:03 PM

I intend to write an article on this pistol for a German magazin and needed some more background, because I think this piece is worthwhile to loose some words about it. That's the reason for my questions.
Thanks a lot
corrado26

rickystl · 13th February 2017, 01:54 PM

Hi Corrado.

Also referred to as Ottoman/Turkish Knee Pistols. The reference being used while on horseback and fired with the butt stock positioned on the knee.
As Richard mentions, it probably originated in England sometime in the 18th Century, but never seemed to catch on. But they were very popular throughout the Ottoman Empire till the early-mid 19th Century. Most of the specimens remaining today (many) were made at one of the many gun making centers in the Balkans. But I agree with Kubur that this one is much higher quality, and probably Turkish made. Probably around 1800. But it looks more early than later. It's probably the best looking one I've seen. Very high quality. And the trigger guard looks to e pinned to the stock (ala European) versus being simply nailed to the stock as the Balkan pieces were.
It's a very nice Knee Pistol. I have a good original 19th Century photo of a warrior carrying one that I'll post when I return home this weekend.
Thanks for posting such a great example.

Rick

12th February 2017, 01:48 PM	#1
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	Unknown gun/pistol I have in my collection since a very long time this flintlock gun or pistol and I have been all the years without any success in finding out where and when and for which purpose this piece has been made. The mounts are probably of cast silver, the trigger and the trigger plate look like Gold, all silver wire inlays are complete and the wood is without any damage. There is a signature "NOLTEN" or "NOLTON" on the lockplate, but the first "N" is written differently to the last one what seems for me to be very strange. There are no marks or stamps on the barrel or the inside of the lock. The ramrod is not extendable, jus cut into the wood. Thanks a lot for your attention corrado26 Attached Images

12th February 2017, 01:50 PM	#2
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	Some more fotos: Attached Images

12th February 2017, 04:04 PM	#4
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Yes, as above, what we normally classify an Ottoman or sometimes a Turkish blunderbuss. These appear to have originated in England, with this very short buttstock, (See GBG 1540 to 1740.... Neil & Back) This is an early one and Very high quality. The lock and furniture appear in the style of late 17th C. Very Nice piece and thanks for showing! Richard.

12th February 2017, 06:03 PM	#6
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	I intend to write an article on this pistol for a German magazin and needed some more background, because I think this piece is worthwhile to loose some words about it. That's the reason for my questions. Thanks a lot corrado26

13th February 2017, 01:54 PM	#7
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,623	Hi Corrado. Also referred to as Ottoman/Turkish Knee Pistols. The reference being used while on horseback and fired with the butt stock positioned on the knee. As Richard mentions, it probably originated in England sometime in the 18th Century, but never seemed to catch on. But they were very popular throughout the Ottoman Empire till the early-mid 19th Century. Most of the specimens remaining today (many) were made at one of the many gun making centers in the Balkans. But I agree with Kubur that this one is much higher quality, and probably Turkish made. Probably around 1800. But it looks more early than later. It's probably the best looking one I've seen. Very high quality. And the trigger guard looks to e pinned to the stock (ala European) versus being simply nailed to the stock as the Balkan pieces were. It's a very nice Knee Pistol. I have a good original 19th Century photo of a warrior carrying one that I'll post when I return home this weekend. Thanks for posting such a great example. Rick