Anyone know anything about this musket?

[gmattson]

I was given this by a friend who had it in the family for a long time, but she didn't know anything about its history.





It was hung on a wall as a decoration for as long as my friend remembers. (she is 78 years young) and the parts won't move. It looks real, but there are no visible markings on it.

[Hugh]

I am sorry, but I am not able to bring up the pictures as you posted them. Please check your use of the url codes.

[f.Channell]

Wow,
Looks like a dueling pistol. Wish I had friends like that.

F.

[gmattson]

I was able to view the images on another computer as well as mine; however, as I copied the url, there were additional code that wasn't needed.

Can you see the pictures now?

[gmattson]

the pistol appears to be real, but the moving parts are locked with age and some rust. The barrel is open but has some rust in it as well.

Any suggestions for cleaning it? Is it worth taking to an expert to clean?

Thanks for any tips.

[f.Channell]

Don't do a thing with it until an expert looks it over. You could dramatically reduce the value.

I found this guy on the Antiques roadshow website. He may help or offer someone to contact. They normally have credible experts.

Grenadier Military Antiques
Phone: 818-240-1411
Fax:
Email: bbh1122@aol.com
On the Web: http://grenadiermilitaryantiques.com

F.

[gmattson]

I let you know what they say.

[f.Channell]

Try here too. Springfield Armory in Massachusetts. On my list of places to visit.

http://www.nps.gov/spar/

F.

[gmattson]

I followed your advice to contact:

Grenadier Military Antiques
Phone: 818-240-1411
Fax:
Email: bbh1122@aol.com
On the Web: http://grenadiermilitaryantiques.com

Received this prompt reply this morning:

Dear George:

This is a 19th century "trade pistol" these were made in the north African, Arab style, and use for trading with tribesman in those regions. most were made in Italy, and southern Europe. some were only used as decoration as well, and are non-working. they have a low collectors value. say $200.00 to $500.00

Hope this helps,
Bruce

[f.Channell]

Interesting,
I thought the bottom of the handle was not typical of western Europe and certainly not U.S.
Of course cleaned up it could still lose value.
Now that Van knows it's an Italian gun you'll have to hide it away! LOL.
Nice conversation piece for sure.

F.

[JOHN THURSTON]

I will check my miniscule library, but I dout I will fiind out much more.


John

[JOHN THURSTON]

the design is some what typical of 16th Century Common Handguns, Scots and Cromwells "Roundhead" cavalry would have carried a pistol resembling the one Pictured.


Online sources may be of some help, but I often opt for the restoration if it will not actully reduce the value of the item-go ahed, but be mindful that you may chamging a $1000 pistol into a 500 pistol, which is fine.

This is assumning the guns is not collector grade and is fireareable or attractive enough to clean up.

Frankly, I would leave it alone, except for some minor cleanup

Bruces's comments seem on the money and I have posted an Italian pistol pic from the period.

Outwardly the piece resembles some 16th Scottish designs and I will post one.

But I could not find and clear replication of the weapon in my library.



I am inserting several pics that come close to the design of the arm, which would seem to indicate, with the comments of your gunsmith, that the weapon is a 'trade" gun of o copy theory.

The real Italian pistols of this design would be quite valuable.

Obviously Flatyderman's Gun Value Guide does not cover this period.

However, the shape is remininscent of those used shown in cavalry training pictures dating from the time of the "New Model Army----but I do thoink it is on of those, even a set of armor from that period found in Roanoke was quite deteriorated.

I will just post some pics for an old history of the gun.

But, based on the pic an the opinion received, i would do anything yet.





Other comments: The weapon is detiorateed and has been bound together twice with wire.

There is some evidence of good constructction and ornamentation.

I am going to sau just clean it up by hand a little and see what happens.

[Van Canna]

[JOHN THURSTON]

In Our Dreams

[f.Channell]

And Sensei Mattson would look like this weilding it.



F.