Caucasian percussion pistol ?

[Jim McDougall]

This is what I presume is a late 19th c. Caucasian pistol, percussion, but no markings of any kind. I have thought maybe Liege? but even they had proofs etc.
Would appreciate thoughts.

[Norman McCormick]

Hi Jim,
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/pistols/antique-pistols---1500-1850/rare-russian-kuban-cossack-pistol--20-bore--circa-crimean-war-1850s.cfm?gun_id=102687284. The proof marks are probably under the barrel.
Regards,
Norman.

[Jim McDougall]

OMG Norman! you did it again!
So according to this link, one of 2000 of these made by Herman Tanner, Belgium for Russian Kuban Cossacks during Crimean war (1853-56).
.60 cal.
Amazing, how did I miss this all these years?
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN MY FRIEND!

Jim

[corrado26]

Here a further example of this pistol together with its holster for a pair. The information regarding Hermann Tanner is incorrect: Hermann Tanner was the son of Carl Daniel Tanner in Herzberg/Harz, born in 1818 in Herzberg and joined his father's business as a partner in 1854. He was not a Belgian gunsmith and never lived in Liège. However, he sourced many weapon parts from there and sold them as his own products. Later he moved to St. Petersburg (Leningrad), where he worked as a rifle manufacturer. The pistols mentioned here were probably made during this time.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you Udo! So then is it possible that Herman Tanner was still the producer of the 2000 pistols described for Kuban Cossacks for Crimean defense?
It seems the Kuban were comprised of various Cossack groups who had relocated into Northern Caucusus end of 18th c.

[Jim McDougall]

When I acquired this pistol during the 90s, I was keenly into research on the Crimean War (1854-56) , specifically the famed "Charge of the Light Brigade" at Balaklava, Crimea Oct. 25, 1854. While I was focused on the swords of the Light Brigade and accompanying arms, I wanted full perspective and some representation of other arms in that context.

In research in posting this, thanks to Norman and Udo, it appears this is a Cossack pistol made in Liege by Hermann Tanner, or from components from Liege for the Kuban Cossacks during the Crimean War. From sources provided kindly by Udo, the firm of Tanner & Sohne were situated in Hanover from 1854, but with offices in Liege. There seems to be unsubstantiated notes claiming a contract of 2000. The Liege offices appear to have closed after 1856.

The Kuban Cossacks were mostly comprised of Zaporozhian Cossacks (Ukraine) and minorities of those of other hosts, who were relocated in southernmost regions of Russia, those of Kuban, in the latter 18th c.
During the Crimean War the Kuban Cossacks were posted to Crimea and repulsed Anglo-French landings off coast of Tamar. They also were highly involved in the defense of Sevastopol.

I have seen three other examples, all virtually identical of these. It seems they are of .600 (25 bore) and typically noted as from Liege, with one having such markings.

These were apparently issued in pairs placed in saddle mount holsters.

Pictured Kuban Cossack; the percussion pistol; a Caucasian shashka of form possibly in use in these times by these groups speculatively.

[Jim McDougall]

Ian, might this topic be better placed in European? If so may I request same?

Thank you,
Jim

[Jim McDougall]

In interesting notes with further information, an auction lists one of these as being of .600 cal. (25 bore) (Thank you Norman!) which seems to have been a popular caliber from Europe with some of the large 'horse pistols' earlier in France and England.

In some old notes regarding shashkas and imported blades I found the name Tanner listed along with blades sources Solingen and Styria, suggesting this form certainly must have been an active purveyor of arms for the Caucusus.

[Ian]

Ian, might this topic be better placed in European? If so may I request same?

Thank you,
Jim Sure Jim