Flintlock Holster Pistol

[Duncaninfrance]

Any ideas?

A friend of mine who lives in the UK has written asking if I know anyone who might be able to help him identify a pistol that he owns.

Poor old Bill is getting on and both he and his wife suffer from arthritis. He is not of the digital age so I cant ask him to e.mail me a picture, he’s not on the internet. In fact I don’t think he even has a friend with a computer!!!

Anyway, the pistol he is trying to identify is a flintlock saddle pistol of about mid 18C. He has sent me a written copy of the markings on the weapon which I have attached. He THINKS the barrel mark says ROVRILER LE CADEL but even that is not certain . He thinks the pistol is French but can’t find any reference to it in any gazetteer.

I am going to ask him if he can get me a photo but it could take some time – snail mail you know.

SO – anyone have any ideas??

Duncan

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Try this forum maybe the French & Indain War group. Alot of athoritarians and historians there.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/fusionbb.php?

 

[Derek]

Duncan, perhaps you could get your friend [or a younger person with good eyes]to send you a tighter discription of the piece, [half stock or full, brass butt cap, brass pan on the lock?]A tissue paper and pencil rubbing of any markings might help. Sorry I cannot help more.

 

[Old Fuff]

Duncan:

Perhaps your friend knows someone with an ordinary 35mm camera that could take some pictures. He could then mail you the prints, and you might be able to help with a better description.

 

[Duncaninfrance]

UPDATE

Hi Guys.
I spoke to Bill today and have arranged for his son to take some pics and e.mail them to me very soon. In the mean time, the attachment is a fair copy of the markings on the gun.
Duncan

 

[Duncaninfrance]

These came yesterday. They are not very good but the best that Bill can manage with his old camera. he says his son will e.mail me some later. Might give someone an idea though.
Thanks for looking guys.
Duncan

 

[Duncaninfrance]

BETTER PHOTO

Here is a better photo of the pistol I am trying to ID if anyone has any ideas.
Duncan

[/IMG]

 

[Cap n Ball]

Definitely a mid 18th century 'horse pistol', probably 58 caliber. Can't tell if its smoothbore but I doubt it is rifled. The idea being to have enough punch to take the horse from under the opposing horseman and then finish the job with a saber or use the gun itself as a club. They were not often holstered but carried either tucked in a waistband sash or in thimbles on a saddle. The French and English versions are somewhat similar. Loaded with either buckshot or a ball its a formidable weapon. The fancywork on the lock and grip is unusual in that these guns are usually very utilitarian. Perhaps the gentleman who originally had this piece had the engraving done later. A nice pistol that if an authentic original and any history can be attached to it would fetch over $1000.00. It looks awful well preserved to be that old but then so do I.

 

[hillbilly]

It looks a lot like this one.

http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.com/NEWess1756.shtml

I'll bet the guy at Middlesex Village Trading Company would know.

hillbilly

 

[Sistema1927]

How certain is he that this is an actual 18th Century weapon? Hard to tell by the pics, but it looks too nice to be that old. No sign of patina, and all the visible markings are very crisp.

Could this be a reproduction?

 

[Duncaninfrance]

Not a chance. Bill knows his guns and has a fair collection of them I understand, all of them being originals because in the UK thats about all you can collect now.
It's just this one he wants to know more about and it is driving him nuts!
Du ncan

 

[Duncaninfrance]

The Lock plate.

[/IMG]

This arrivedv today. Perhaps it will narrow things down a bit.
Duncan