Unknown Norwegian navy pistol

[corrado26]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

I dont know much about the Danish weapon production, but could it be that the pistol was made at Frederiksvaerk in Denmark?
As far as I know, they did produce weapons, and could have exported some to Noway.

look at my post #2

[Morten]

Thanks a lot for all answers. I`m agree that this most likely is a composite pistol with an old barrel. The strange thing is that we can`t find any other pistols in Denmark or Norway with a barrel like this or marked with C5 this way.
The pistol in this thread is from FMU-Forsvarsmuseet in Oslo, my pistol has a different type of flintlock, but the markings on the barrel are similar. My pistol is sent to a gunsmith for some service and to be cleaned.

[rickystl]

Interesting pistol. I note the lock does not have the reinforcing arm that connects the pan to the frizzen. A feature common on locks especially prior to about 1730. Of course it could also have been reused.

Rick

[M ELEY]

Very nice piece! Although the word 'composite' sends many collectors running, one has to keep in mind the reference to this piece. As a naval weapon, perhaps it was decommissioned and made as a limited stock for private purchase. I've gone off on this subject again and again when it comes to edged weapons and it is well-known that private purchase items made for merchant-class ships and 'privateers' from old navy surplus was extremely common. Indeed, as a sea-faring country, Norway had many privateers raiding shipping and coastal regions of their enemies. This is, of course, just a theory and i wanted to throw it out there-

[Morten]

Now the pistol is back from cleaning and a small restoration. I think the result is pretty good.

[David R]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Very nice piece! Although the word 'composite' sends many collectors running, one has to keep in mind the reference to this piece. As a naval weapon, perhaps it was decommissioned and made as a limited stock for private purchase. I've gone off on this subject again and again when it comes to edged weapons and it is well-known that private purchase items made for merchant-class ships and 'privateers' from old navy surplus was extremely common. Indeed, as a sea-faring country, Norway had many privateers raiding shipping and coastal regions of their enemies. This is, of course, just a theory and i wanted to throw it out there-

I wonder how many perfectly decent and old items get ignored because of their "composite" nature, when in fact the work was done during the working life of the piece.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by rickystl

Interesting pistol. I note the lock does not have the reinforcing arm that connects the pan to the frizzen. A feature common on locks especially prior to about 1730. Of course it could also have been reused.

Rick

Rick, I agree in general. However, this feature came into fashion at different times in Europe. It appeared early in countries like France and England, and there sooner on higher quality locks. However, gunmakers in more conservative areas like Italy and the German-speaking lands weren't sold on the idea, almost to the end of the flintlock era. When was the last time you saw a Jágerbüchse with a lock featuring a frizzen bridle? Or any Italian flintlock or snaphaunce with this element?

The idea behind having a bridle on the pan was to have a two-point support for the frizzen pivot screw, ostensibly for the purpose of preventing misalignment of the frizzen/pan cover unit on the pan in case the screw got bent from the gun being dropped, or from excessive friction wear. However, having handled a good number of well-made German and Italian guns, even those showing signs of considerable use, I've never encountered a bent screw or so much wear that the frizzen got off kilter. The design of the locks was suitably robust, and proper fit and hardening of the parts would ensure a long functional life especially considering that the pressure exerted by the frizzen spring was not that strong.