Brass flintlock pistol
Hey guys, a friend inherited this old flintlock, it is aprox 62 caliber. My first glance I thought it was a kit (they almost always are right?) but upon further inspection I think it may be a legit old one. It has no proof marks of any kind (unless they are hidden) and the brass action and barrel has me stumped. Any thoughts as to origin and value greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Edit:
Thanks so far guys, like the rest of you my initial look was it is a kit, like you guys my experience is these always are. Sounds like you guys think like me it is prolly a kit but something ain't quite adding up.
The no markings and with so much brass combined with looking it over in more depth in hand is what has me questioning it may not be a kit, plus it really shows signs of use. It definitely has been polished at some point, there are scuffs and dings in the wood and brass that are consistent with a used gun that has been used. It seems like at one point it was taken care of (though not preserved, but rather kept clean and polished) and then got left in storage for awhile. The friend said the boxes he found it in were untouched for at least 10 years, maybe more. The boxes mostly contained coins and other collectible grade metals (like tens of thousands of dollars worth). Had belonged to a relative who died ten years or more ago and just now getting around to cleaning out the house. Was found with 2 new in the box, unfired (but rust damaged) S&W pistols from the 70's buried amidst a bunch of coins. Which makes me think the relative thought it had value.
I'll disassemble it in the next week or so and see if there are markings hidden that will solve this puzzle. A 'one of' winter project sounds like a good possibility, or a real good fake makes sense too. I am having a hard time believing it is authentic but it just isn't adding up in my head is all. I don't want to do a half a$$ evaluation for my friend is all.
I appreciate the insight on both the Colonial and British resemblance, it gives me a direction to steer my research on this. Any other insight is really appreciated.
Those that messaged me: thank you for the offers but this is not for sale at this time. If it ends up on the auction side I typically post a link here on the forums.
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Thanks!
Edit:
Thanks so far guys, like the rest of you my initial look was it is a kit, like you guys my experience is these always are. Sounds like you guys think like me it is prolly a kit but something ain't quite adding up.
The no markings and with so much brass combined with looking it over in more depth in hand is what has me questioning it may not be a kit, plus it really shows signs of use. It definitely has been polished at some point, there are scuffs and dings in the wood and brass that are consistent with a used gun that has been used. It seems like at one point it was taken care of (though not preserved, but rather kept clean and polished) and then got left in storage for awhile. The friend said the boxes he found it in were untouched for at least 10 years, maybe more. The boxes mostly contained coins and other collectible grade metals (like tens of thousands of dollars worth). Had belonged to a relative who died ten years or more ago and just now getting around to cleaning out the house. Was found with 2 new in the box, unfired (but rust damaged) S&W pistols from the 70's buried amidst a bunch of coins. Which makes me think the relative thought it had value.
I'll disassemble it in the next week or so and see if there are markings hidden that will solve this puzzle. A 'one of' winter project sounds like a good possibility, or a real good fake makes sense too. I am having a hard time believing it is authentic but it just isn't adding up in my head is all. I don't want to do a half a$$ evaluation for my friend is all.
I appreciate the insight on both the Colonial and British resemblance, it gives me a direction to steer my research on this. Any other insight is really appreciated.
Those that messaged me: thank you for the offers but this is not for sale at this time. If it ends up on the auction side I typically post a link here on the forums.
[img][/img][img][/img]
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My two cents... if it IS real, then either someone polished the hell out of the brass not too long ago, and it's just regaining some petina, or... not real. Nothing about it says 'hundreds of years old' to ME- though I don't have my hands on it; in fact it seems to scream, "60's-70's kit gun."
Why do you think it is a legit antique?0 -
It's quite a quandary? My first inclination is to agree with Jonk and believe it's a kit gun of fairly recent vintage.
The only thing that bothers me is that I don't recall seeing one of all brass manufacture, before.
If it was a recent import it would have had to be marked with the country of origin.
Might be some very skilled amateur craftsman winter project?0 -
British companies like Ketland commonly used brass barrels for trade guns but I've never seen one with a brass lockplate. Also, they are usually proofed on the top of the barrel at the breech. However, you may find some underneath the barrel.
Although it appears to be of British design, such as the early Tower pistols, I tend to agree with Jonk.0 -
The .62 caliber flintlock pistol was one of the first used by colonial militia copied from the british 1760 flintlock pistol and kind of resembles one but doesn't look aged nearly enough to be from that era.
I have seen excellent pistols from the civil war that didn't look that good, more than likely it is a put-togther kit from perhaps the 1970's like Navy Arms would sell.
The fact that it seems to be devoid of any proof markings is very suspicious and have yet to see one that was actually genuine and valid.
Despite all of that it looks like a very nice replica? and would be a nice collectors piece even if it is a replica.
I would agree with the others.
Regards
Edit:
I have seen kits like this before that had been 'antiqued' professionally and was worked just right to the point that it could fool some into thinking that it just might be authentic.
However as stated I have yet to see a 252 year old firearm in that good of condition other than behind glass in a museum with its meticulous curators and advanced temperature and humidity controls. Not saying that its impossible just highly doubtful especially with all of the other factors involved as well.
Regards0 -
If it is a kit, it is an unusual one, all brass except for the cock and probably the lock internals, and well weathered or antiqued.
I HAVE seen an authentic period piece with a brass lockplate. It was a 1740s light fowling piece, the gun that turned me off the heavy Kentucky rifle. It had a steel barrel, though.0 -
Value $300 maybe more, to someone who believes in it. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by rhmc24
Value $300 maybe, to someone who believes in it.
Yeah, I would agree at least $300 to perhaps $500 as it looks to be a nice and unique 70's kit and I really like the brass and overall design although I would convert it to percussion as many flintlocks were.
Regards0
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