Gillet Black Powder Derringer Info

jay_man555

March 19, 2014 08:52

I have gotten a Gillet Black powder Flint lock single shot derringer. I haven't had any luck in finding much info on it. This looks really unique to me as it seems to have a wrist rest with a distance gauge for long range shooting. I've never seen anything like that. Any help with information about it and especially a value would be great.

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  rufe-snow

  March 19, 2014 09:17

  It's not a derringer. It's specifically made for testing the strength of various grades of Black Powder. Generally they are known to collectors of Firearms Curiosa, by their French name, "EPPROVET". I don't know if I spelled that correctly? I have enough trouble spelling in english.
  
  Very specialized collecting field. Not commonly found and hard to price. Except for a specialist in Firearms Curiosa.

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  Spider7115

  March 19, 2014 09:53

  As usual, rufe-snow is correct. It's an 18th century boxlock flintlock powder tester known as an Eprouvette. The wheel gauges the strength of the powder being tested. The higher the number, the better the powder.

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  jay_man555

  March 21, 2014 06:47

  Thanks for the info guys any idea as to the value for an older one of these

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  rufe-snow

  March 21, 2014 08:42

  quote:Originally posted by jay_man555
  Thanks for the info guys any idea as to the value for an older one of these
  
  
  
  Hard to price. Top of the hammer is missing. Not super high quality, either material or workmanship wise.
  
  My Wag from the markings, that Gillet was a gunsmith in Bristol England. Probably have a higher value there, than on this side of the pond.
  
  Since it a nonfunctioning antique. That was never meant to be even a firearm. You could send it over to England yourself, without any legal problems. I would put it on our auction, with the hope some English or European dealers would see it. And start bidding the price up to obtain it.

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  Spider7115

  March 21, 2014 09:49

  If you go to Antiqueguns.com and post your question and pics in the pre-1899 forum, Bill Curtis should be able to help you. He's in the UK and an expert in British firearms. He's also a former Royal Armourer.

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  jay_man555

  March 21, 2014 11:47

  quote:Originally posted by Spider7115
  If you go to Antiqueguns.com and post your question and pics in the pre-1899 forum, Bill Curtis should be able to help you. He's in the UK and an expert in British firearms. He's also a former Royal Armourer.
  
  
  Thanks I'll try that. Appreciate the information guys

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