Help in identifying this pistol.

[Larryco50]

When my father passed away I came into possession of this pistol. I have no idea of its history or anything else for that matter. I was told this forum might be the best place to get some information. I am told you guys can be very helpful.

Larry

[jack404]

G'day and Welcome Larry !

the pic's are a might smallish but it looks like a box lock weapon of about 1830's onward till about 1860 or so , but thats a guess based on the pic's

does it have a screw off barrel ? are there any markings? ( proof or makers marks)

do you have a better pic ? ( sorry but these are a tad small )

if it is a small box lock ( also known as Muff guns) get ready for a whole chain of jokes ..

the small box locks where called muff guns as they where often carried inside a muff ( fur tube for keeping hands warm ) and are fairly common still in collections

[Jim Hauff]

jack,
I, for one and for a change, will make no mention of the alternate, descriptive term associated with that class of small percussion ignited firearm. This, of course, being a true test of personal will-power, shall, if successful, cause me a great deal of angst.

Larry, welcome to the forum - post some bigger pics, as Jack was alluding.

[Hawg]

OMG, he said MUFF pistol. Jim, if I had said that would you be holding your tongue?

[Jim Hauff]

Hawgy, old buddy,
I'm trying to turn a new leaf and be more august and dignified - similar to the demeanor exhibited by the rest of youse dudes.

[Buffalochip]

The pics are a bit small--and size really matters when discussing muff pistols.

[3/2 STA SS]

MUFF- I feel better now that I said it....it looks like the barrel may be in one piece,straight muzzle loader.

[Hawg]

Need better pics. it could be old. new or just fairly old.

[Jim Hauff]

MUFF GUN
Dammit, you all made me say it.

[Larryco50]

Thanks, I think. lol

I am sending six more pics that may tell each of you something more I hope.
These pics are taken with a camera phone, I may have to get my wife to take some pics from her digital camera and transfer them to my computer.

Thanks guys,

Larry

[Larryco50]

Two more pics!

[Jim K]

With no scale, poor pictures and only that description, it is about impossible to determine what it is. (It looks too big to be a NO, I WON'T WRITE THOSE WORDS!!!). It could be a pocket pistol or a belt pistol.

Jim

[Larryco50]

It is almost exactly 7" long if that helps.

[BullShoot]

With all the stumbling about over the mere mention of a "muff gun" what, pray tell, would be the reaction if we talked about a beavertail stock?

BullShoot

[jack404]

ok later than 1830's maybe a rebuild of a flint action to percussion , but unable to tell more , sorry

[Jim K]

An overall length of 7 inches puts it into at least the pocket pistol category, or even the belt pistol. They were made by the ton, in every industrialized country, from roughly 1750 to 1850, first in flintlock, then in percussion. That was a general period of "unrest" and a great many citizens who could afford them carried that kind of gun, usually as part of a pair. They are among the less valuable of antique guns of the period for the reason that they were not very valuable or costly to begin with, and have rarely been given good care over the years.

To make things more interesting and confusing, those pistols, because they are simple and of low cost, have been a favorite in the reproductions market, bought by folks who just want an inexpensive "antique" for display or fun shooting. So it is not easy to tell from pictures (and those are not of good quality) if a given gun was made in 1810 or 2010.

Jim

[hrf]

The nickel silver(?) inlay in grip may eliminate a cheap Belgian gun or a repro, but get your wife to take photos using the macro setting to show details.

Added: Stick a rod or pencil down the barrel and measure against outside, to insure it's not still loaded!

[Larryco50]

When my father passed away I came into possession of this pistol. I have no idea of its history or anything else for that matter. I was told this forum might be the best place to get some information. I am told you guys can be very helpful.

Larry

[Country101]

Larry, if you can, get a few better pictures and type out any markings you see. That will help these folks considerably. If you can do that, one of them ought to be able to help you out, for sure.

[Larryco50]

Thanks, I'll give it a try with my wife tomorrow.

Larry

[hrf]

Originally Posted by Larryco50

Thanks, I'll give it a try with my wife tomorrow.
Larry

Please have her use the macro setting, and check to insure gun's not still loaded as I suggested at end of your earlier post: http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=91660
(The barrel probably unscrews to load: Try a little penetrating oil.)

[Larryco50]

I hope this gives you gentlemen a bit more to work with. I really appreciate your help. I have added some more pictures with my wifes camera using the macro setting as suggested. Once again the pistol is almost exactly 7" long.

[Larryco50]

Few more pics!

[Jim K]

It is an inexpensive little box-lock pocket pistol; they were made by the ton in both this country and England in the 1780-1850 timeframe, first in flintlock and after about 1830 in caplock. I can't be sure from the pictures if that one is even old; it may be a modern reproduction. Dixie Gun Works sells similar pistols both as complete guns and as kits.

Jim

[Larryco50]

I know it has been in the family for fifty years!