A VERY DECORATED FLINTLOCK PISTOL FOR ID

Cerjak · 7th November 2017, 06:55 PM

A VERY DECORATED FLINTLOCK PISTOL FOR ID
This pistol seems made for the export market ,I never saw before something similar with all these decorations : grotesque mask ,lion head , etc..
Any information about his origin or maker would be highly appreciated

This pistol seems made for the export market ,I never saw before something similar with all these decorations : grotesque mask ,lion head , etc..
Any information about his origin or maker would be highly appreciated

corrado26 · 7th November 2017, 07:12 PM

A gunmaker TWIGTON in LONDON is unknown to me and not mentioned in the NEUE STÖCKEL too. So the origin of this pistol is somewhat mysterious the less so since there are no British proof- and viewmarks on the barrel. Although the front end of the triggerguard looks very English I think that this pistol has probably been made by a Liège gunmaker for the Osmanic Empire. Using names of English gunmakers was an old practise of the Liège gunmakers in order to simulate good English quality.
corrado26

fernando · 7th November 2017, 07:43 PM

I dare say that there will hardly be a description of this pistol origin more accurate than the one presented by corrado26.
In any case, a very, very nice pistol, Jean-Luc

.
Say, are those some letters on the tang ?

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Cerjak · 7th November 2017, 07:54 PM

Yes Corrado like you my guess is a pistol for export market , Fernando may be a date ? Please see this new pics

Fernando K · 7th November 2017, 10:54 PM

Hello

Generally the Belgian arms for export have the punch of the Bank of Liège, but to hide the origin they are in the lower part of the cannon. You would have to dismantle it and see what it is.

Affectionately. Fernando K

fernando · 8th November 2017, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerjak

... Fernando may be a date ? Please see this new pics

Yes, more like a number than a decoration floral. But then, even if it is a number or a date, could also be illusory

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Pukka Bundook · 8th November 2017, 07:51 PM

It Is a very nice and very different pistol Cerjak.
Very nice silver work and such.

Dating is rather difficult, as it ha selements popular from differing ages, like the heavy moulding around the trigger-guard, (earlier 18th C mostly, ) and the pineapple which is later, 1780's and on.
Then the style of the grip is more early 18th C but the sideplates for the sidenails say early 19th C.
I wonder, with the very nice decoration, Is there a chance it was made in India??
I ask as Tippu Sultan had very nice arms made for himself, so Indian craftsmen could certainly be up to the job.
It sounds like the maker had heard of Twigg, at any rate!

Very best,
Richard.

7th November 2017, 06:55 PM	#1
Cerjak Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: FRANCE Posts: 1,065	A VERY DECORATED FLINTLOCK PISTOL FOR ID A VERY DECORATED FLINTLOCK PISTOL FOR ID This pistol seems made for the export market ,I never saw before something similar with all these decorations : grotesque mask ,lion head , etc.. Any information about his origin or maker would be highly appreciated This pistol seems made for the export market ,I never saw before something similar with all these decorations : grotesque mask ,lion head , etc.. Any information about his origin or maker would be highly appreciated Attached Images

7th November 2017, 07:43 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	I dare say that there will hardly be a description of this pistol origin more accurate than the one presented by corrado26. In any case, a very, very nice pistol, Jean-Luc . Say, are those some letters on the tang ? . Attached Images

7th November 2017, 07:54 PM	#4
Cerjak Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: FRANCE Posts: 1,065	Yes Corrado like you my guess is a pistol for export market , Fernando may be a date ? Please see this new pics Attached Images

7th November 2017, 07:12 PM	#2
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	A gunmaker TWIGTON in LONDON is unknown to me and not mentioned in the NEUE STÖCKEL too. So the origin of this pistol is somewhat mysterious the less so since there are no British proof- and viewmarks on the barrel. Although the front end of the triggerguard looks very English I think that this pistol has probably been made by a Liège gunmaker for the Osmanic Empire. Using names of English gunmakers was an old practise of the Liège gunmakers in order to simulate good English quality. corrado26

7th November 2017, 10:54 PM	#5
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 669	Hello Generally the Belgian arms for export have the punch of the Bank of Liège, but to hide the origin they are in the lower part of the cannon. You would have to dismantle it and see what it is. Affectionately. Fernando K

8th November 2017, 07:51 PM	#7
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	It Is a very nice and very different pistol Cerjak. Very nice silver work and such. Dating is rather difficult, as it ha selements popular from differing ages, like the heavy moulding around the trigger-guard, (earlier 18th C mostly, ) and the pineapple which is later, 1780's and on. Then the style of the grip is more early 18th C but the sideplates for the sidenails say early 19th C. I wonder, with the very nice decoration, Is there a chance it was made in India?? I ask as Tippu Sultan had very nice arms made for himself, so Indian craftsmen could certainly be up to the job. It sounds like the maker had heard of Twigg, at any rate! Very best, Richard.