Identification and dating of Flintlock pistols

rickystl · 14th March 2016, 09:46 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, 12:15 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, 05:59 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, 09:26 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, 12:03 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.

Andreas · 16th March 2016, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozhunter

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.

Are you certain the ramrod on the rat-tail is a false one? I can't tell from the picture, but Elgood mentions in The Arms of Greece etc that these Central Albanian pistols have invariably (his word) working metal ramrods.
Andreas

Kubur · 16th March 2016, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andreas

Are you certain the ramrod on the rat-tail is a false one? I can't tell from the picture, but Elgood mentions in The Arms of Greece etc that these Central Albanian pistols have invariably (his word) working metal ramrods.
Andreas

Hi Andreas,

I have the same and it's impossible to remove.
They did the same fake ramrods in Morocco.
Moroccan pistols have a fake metal ramrod...

Best,
Kubur

fernando · 16th March 2016, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andreas

Are you certain the ramrod on the rat-tail is a false one? I can't tell from the picture, but Elgood mentions in The Arms of Greece etc that these Central Albanian pistols have invariably (his word) working metal ramrods.
Andreas

Some misunderstanding Andreas .
Ramrods fitted in rat tail pistols are practically always false; sometimes don't even com off. Actual ramrods were (adorned) units that they carried in their belts; just can't remember the name of those ...

Ian · 14th March 2016, 02:45 PM

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

Ian.

14th March 2016, 12:15 PM	#2
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, 09:46 AM	#1
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	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, 09:26 PM	#4
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, 12:03 AM	#5
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, 02:45 PM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Hello ozhunter. Yes, you are in the correct place. Welcome to the Forum. Ian.