Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Flintlock Pistols With Rare Safety Frizzens, c1740

Philip · 6th April 2016, 07:58 AM

Thanks for sharing these very interesting pistols. Did you know that swiveling frizzens were pretty much the norm on many early flintlock mechanisms from the Baltic countries, especially Sweden, from the mid- to late 17th cent.? There are several examples showing various stages of development and refinement in H. L. Blackmore, GUNS AND RIFLES OF THE WORLD (1965), figs 137, 139, 141-45. On all of these, the pan-cover and the steel were attached to each other via the swivel-screw. The design allowed the gun to be carried safely with the pan primed and closed, and the cock lowered with the steel pivoted out of the way, with no need for a half-cock detent. I would imagine that the locks on your pistols also have a half-cock safety notch on the tumbler as well.

6th April 2016, 07:58 AM	#3
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	nothing new under the sun? Thanks for sharing these very interesting pistols. Did you know that swiveling frizzens were pretty much the norm on many early flintlock mechanisms from the Baltic countries, especially Sweden, from the mid- to late 17th cent.? There are several examples showing various stages of development and refinement in H. L. Blackmore, GUNS AND RIFLES OF THE WORLD (1965), figs 137, 139, 141-45. On all of these, the pan-cover and the steel were attached to each other via the swivel-screw. The design allowed the gun to be carried safely with the pan primed and closed, and the cock lowered with the steel pivoted out of the way, with no need for a half-cock detent. I would imagine that the locks on your pistols also have a half-cock safety notch on the tumbler as well.