Can anyone identify this device on this flintlock pistol???

[Jim K]

First, that mark means nothing to me; let's see what others might have on it.

As for the origin, could be Austrian. Without clear markings on the lockplate or barrel, it is often very hard to tell the origin of a gun of that era. That butt style is often considered French, but it was certainly used elsewhere.

As to a gun "cobbled together", it doesn't look that way, but better pictures will be needed to be sure. A key is whether the lockplate and barrel fit the stock and are fitted to each other, also whether the other parts fit correctly. The earlier pictures concentrated on the frizzed and pan, natural since that was what you were seeking information on, but closeups of the lockplate and the muzzle on both sides should either prove or disprove whether it is a parts gun.

Jim

[Bishop54]

Good points Jim, I'll be sure to post more pictures a little later today.

[Bishop54]

More pictures as promised.

[Jim K]

Those pictures do cast doubt on the originality of the pistol. Note that the rear of the lockplate inletting was clearly intended for a different shape of lockplate, the muzzle end of the stock has been cut away for a different style of front band, and the poor fitting of the trigger guard. When was that done? Quite possibly in the long past; the "inventor" of the pan cover may have acquired what was then a put together gun to work with, or someone may have put an experimental lockplate on an old gun that happened to be handy.

I see no means of tracing the origin of the gun, and can only say that unless someone turns up a patent or a description, we will probably never know where the gun came from or whose idea the cover actually was.

Jim

[rhmc24]

The 'cobbled together' clincher for me or major modification is the screw forward of the trigger guard, without exception (my experience. that period) the front attachment should be with a tab up into the stock, held by a cross pin & to a lesser extent, the aft screws. Muzzle treatment likewise questionable.

Offsetting that is the apparent skill and workmanship, particularly the grip treatment, all possibly explainable as an original French style pistol with barrel shortened and trigger guard replacement. I can't see enough of the lock inlet to have an opinion.

All of which is beside the point about the lock pan cover 'anomaly'.

I agree the pursuit of useful info about its history is likely an excercise in futility.

[flintlock]

Just a thought here, but possibly a repair of sorts, to make a better fit of the frizzen to the pan after a replacement of the pan. I have not seen the likes of this before, interesting item for certain.