Anyone know what this is?

[BBQJOE]

It was found along a river in AL or MS about 60 years ago.
There appears to be no markings whatsoever on the barrel. The wood has not been removed to look for any markings given the fragile condition of it.



Obviously the ram or whatever it's called is not original.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

No idea---but that's a cool pistol with a story. I would bet someone will happen along who knows or will ask for more detailed pics and your guess at the caliber.

 

[BBQJOE]

It is not mine, but a friends. We're guessing maybe 45-50 cal. It is smooth bore if that helps at all.

 

[The Alaskan]

It's percussion ignition, so it's 18...30's maybe 40's. Guns were made by all manner of local gunsmiths back then. It could literally be anything. I concur with your decision not to take it apart. With the stock cracked like that, it would be pretty dicey.

 

[Texas Moon]

1910 zip gun? LoL

 

[Crawdad1]

Doesn't look original to America or attributable to an American or an English builder. In my opinion, it looks like a Spanish or Moorish pistol with its grip's design and toe plate along with its shorter more robust stock. Who built it? That may be impossible to determine.

 

[Crawdad1]

This may be a good example of what I mean as Spanish or Moorish but in this case an Islamic designed or built pistol.

http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/tipologia-prodotti.asp/l_en/idt_84/pistols-mamelouk.html

 

[rondog]

Looks like a mighty fine example of a Wallus Hangerus to me.....

 

[ms6852]

I'll pm you my address, it must have slipped out of my pocket when I was fishing along the banks awhile back. Thanks for posting.

Looks like an 1800's percussion shotgun.

 

[J-Bar]

I am not knowledgeable about these at all, I just googled "percussion pistol" and looked at the images.

It kinda resembles this French Cavalry Officers 1833 percussion pistol:

https://www.collegehillarsenal.com/shop/product.php?productid=624

Your gun might be a more recent copy of the 1833 model that was made by someone in the 20th century.

Good luck with your investigation!


edit: Maybe one of these?

http://www.vallejogallery.com/item.php?id=393

 

[swathdiver]

Anyone know what this is? It was found along a river...

Yeah, a murder weapon!

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I would guess mid to early 1800's Dutch or Belgian pistol. The wood can be preserved and repaired using epoxy if you are careful with the cleaning procedure. I have repaired far worse cracks in rifle stocks. Is the barrel rifled, smooth, or rusted?

 

[Crawdad1]

I think J-Bar nailed it. A French dueler or a cavalry officer's pistol.

 

[Noz]

?The dueling pistols were generally well made and highly decorated. Most were of a smaller caliber, wouldn't want to hurt any one, you know.

 

[Crawdad1]

The caliber of the Dueler J-Bar linked to was 45 caliber, that will do the job.