Hi Jim,
So sorry i (nearly) failed to reply to your postings.
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Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
... Since these were often, if not typically civilian, would the same proofmarks be applied ? ...
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People insists that, if it is a British pistol, should have proof marks, whether being an ordnance or a civilian item. But i've actually read about a luxury piece that was ordered by an important person from a famous smith; as the smith's articles integrity was beyond doubt, but also expensive, and as also such ordered piece was for direct delivery and not being exposed in the market, the said smith did not send the gun to the proof house, to save the customer the extra (expensive) cost. I don't mean this was the case with my example ... only to prove there are exceptions to the rule. Eventually those guys out there that assume to know a lot about these things, insist that this example is not British (also) based the decoration quality and things like that
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Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
I have been under the impression that the Liege firearms industry in producing 'knock offs' was a 19th century phenomenon.
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Considering the strict sense of knock off, like replicating stuff to put it cheaper in the market, yes.
However this case is more in the sense that, when determined stuff made at a certain place (country) has acquired significant charisma, others would produce stuff of the same kind ( not pure imitations), to get their share in the market absortion. In those days, Liegeoise weapons was very famous and fine, not (yet) synonim of cheap stuff.
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Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
... it seems the term technically applies to flintlock pistols of 1702-1714, but they were produced before that time and considerably after.
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Correct.
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Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
... Also it seems these were often also termed 'turn off' pistols, for the unscrewing barrel typically featured.
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Correct again ... as a principle. There are exceptions, even made by famous listed smiths ( Delaney, Freeman ) with a fixed barrel. Those could be loaded with swan shot or the like, and be used as travelling pistols, for instance. Freeman was the one that called this version night pistol. The presence of a ramrod is usually the indicator that the barrel is fixed.
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Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
There is apparantly on good title on them:
"The Queen Anne Pistol 1660-1780" by John W. Burgoyne
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Jim, you are fantastic
This is indeed the (only) work available on these weapons; i have bought it some time ago. However thanks a lot for the hint.
Fernando