Algerian Pistol - Sad Story with Happy Ending

rickystl · 28th April 2019, 08:08 PM

Now to post photos of the finished gun ready to join the collection....

The original auction description listed this pistol as Moroccan (which it could be). But from the beginning, I believed it was Algerian. (Philip Tom agreed with me). The silver decoration on the stock is done in a manner VERY similar to what you see on many Algerian long guns.
Before the auction, I also believed that both the lock and barrel were both European. The mechanicals of the lock are much better than the locally made Balkan style flintlocks. Even the threads on the screws are up to European snuff. Very high quality lock and functions perfect.
The barrel also looks to be of European manufacture with it's fluted area resembling Bresican barrels from the 17th Century. The barrel is 16.5" long and .54 caliber. The OAL of the pistol is 22.5" So it's a large example.

So in sum, I believe I have an Algerian pistol, assembled locally, using a high quality European (probably Italy) lock and barrel. Here are some pics of the finished gun. Photo heavy. What are others thoughts on the origin(s) of final assembly ? Thanks for viewing and any relies.

Rick

rickystl · 28th April 2019, 08:10 PM

MORE PICS........

rickystl · 28th April 2019, 08:12 PM

STILL MORE PICS........

rickystl · 28th April 2019, 08:13 PM

LAST ONES.......

kahnjar1 · 28th April 2019, 09:19 PM

Hi Rick,
Well the wait was worth it. The restoration work done is top notch IMHO, and you now have a beautiful pistol.
Question....those numbers on the barrel are much later and do not seem to "fit" with the pistol itself. Do you know if this gun spent any time in Ireland? as at one stage ALL guns had to be numbered in this manner, or is it an inventory number form some establishment?
Stu

rickystl · 28th April 2019, 09:45 PM

Hi Stu

Thanks for the kind words. Philip and I were discussing this. We think this is some type of capture/rack/inventory number used by the French after their control of Algeria. Makes sense. I've seen these later numbers before on other Moroccan and Algerian guns. Much the same way the British did in later times to the Indian matchlocks that were still in use.

Rick

Kubur · 28th April 2019, 09:46 PM

Hi Rick

it's not a sad story, its a cool pistol and a very good repair.
Do you remember this post about the number?
http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...lgerian+pistol

congrats

thinreadline · 28th April 2019, 11:00 PM

fabulous repair work , what in the tailoring game they would call 'invisible mending' , the man is a genius !

rickystl · 30th April 2019, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubur

Hi Rick

it's not a sad story, its a cool pistol and a very good repair.
Do you remember this post about the number?
http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...lgerian+pistol

congrats

Hi Kubur

Thanks for your comments. YES, I now remember this Thread you posted. A somewhat similar barrel. I guess some of the Algerians liked long pistols. LOL
Similar numbers/letters on both barrels seems to confirm the French inventory theory. Note the size/style of the pistol in this photo.

Rick

28th April 2019, 08:08 PM	#1
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	Now to post photos of the finished gun ready to join the collection.... The original auction description listed this pistol as Moroccan (which it could be). But from the beginning, I believed it was Algerian. (Philip Tom agreed with me). The silver decoration on the stock is done in a manner VERY similar to what you see on many Algerian long guns. Before the auction, I also believed that both the lock and barrel were both European. The mechanicals of the lock are much better than the locally made Balkan style flintlocks. Even the threads on the screws are up to European snuff. Very high quality lock and functions perfect. The barrel also looks to be of European manufacture with it's fluted area resembling Bresican barrels from the 17th Century. The barrel is 16.5" long and .54 caliber. The OAL of the pistol is 22.5" So it's a large example. So in sum, I believe I have an Algerian pistol, assembled locally, using a high quality European (probably Italy) lock and barrel. Here are some pics of the finished gun. Photo heavy. What are others thoughts on the origin(s) of final assembly ? Thanks for viewing and any relies. Rick Attached Images

28th April 2019, 08:10 PM	#2
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	MORE PICS........ Attached Images

28th April 2019, 08:12 PM	#3
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	STILL MORE PICS........ Attached Images

28th April 2019, 08:13 PM	#4
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	LAST ONES....... Attached Images

28th April 2019, 09:19 PM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,789	Hi Rick, Well the wait was worth it. The restoration work done is top notch IMHO, and you now have a beautiful pistol. Question....those numbers on the barrel are much later and do not seem to "fit" with the pistol itself. Do you know if this gun spent any time in Ireland? as at one stage ALL guns had to be numbered in this manner, or is it an inventory number form some establishment? Stu

28th April 2019, 09:45 PM	#6
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	Hi Stu Thanks for the kind words. Philip and I were discussing this. We think this is some type of capture/rack/inventory number used by the French after their control of Algeria. Makes sense. I've seen these later numbers before on other Moroccan and Algerian guns. Much the same way the British did in later times to the Indian matchlocks that were still in use. Rick

28th April 2019, 09:46 PM	#7
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi Rick it's not a sad story, its a cool pistol and a very good repair. Do you remember this post about the number? http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...lgerian+pistol congrats

28th April 2019, 11:00 PM	#8
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	fabulous repair work , what in the tailoring game they would call 'invisible mending' , the man is a genius !