Albanian pistols

corrado26 · 11th December 2025, 10:46 AM

These pistols from Albania or Greece have fantastic silver stocks. Is there anyone here who can explain to me how these silver shafts with the many dimples were made?

Jim McDougall · 11th December 2025, 03:31 PM

These are wonderful 'rat tail' pistols, but fat outside my range.
I'm sure you have Robert Elgood's " Arms of Greece and her Balkan Neighbors" . and wonder if there might be some ideas in that. Silver work is a very specialized craft so jewelry workers producing sword hilts, or resources on them might have info.
Just ideas and looking forward to replies here with answers.

corrado26 · 11th December 2025, 06:18 PM

Oh yes, I have the Elgood books, but there isn't a single sentence that answers my question, what was the reason why I asked here.

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 09:55 PM

Sorta figured that Udo, I dont have those handy right now so couldnt really check. Unfortunately most arms books are mostly typology, classifications and very little if anything on esoterica, history or manufacturing particulars.

I tried looking into references on swords which dealt with silver hilt swords, and while they describe the types of decoration no mention is made of the means by which these were achieved. I suppose only references focused on the making of jewelry, especially dealing with national or ethnic styles etc. might have details. Some references like that have appendix' with such info.

Not much help, but I wanted to add something, while hoping somebody out there with specific interest in these might know.

gp · Today, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado26

These pistols from Albania or Greece have fantastic silver stocks. Is there anyone here who can explain to me how these silver shafts with the many dimples were made?

maybe best to contact their museum?

https://www.muzeu-fa.gov.al/english/

or as in the former Yu some books have been written about Balkan weapons by Đurđica Petrović:

https://www.dumus.hr/en/cultural-his...ms-collection/

https://imus.org.rs/en/collection/co...ary-equipment/

and if Greek:

https://warmuseum.gr/en/the-museums/...eum-of-athens/

corrado26 · Today, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gp

https://www.muzeu-fa.gov.al/english/ No email contact possible with the given mail adress

or as in the former Yu some books have been written about Balkan weapons by Đurđica Petrović:

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I wrote to the Dubrovnik museum and wate for an answer. Thanks a lot for this advice.

corrado26 · Today, 11:12 AM

It looks like it is also not possible to contact the museum in Dubrovnik by e-mail; all the addresses given on its homepage do not work. Too bad!

CutlassCollector · Today, 11:24 AM

Just a wild guess.
But carefully dripping melted liquid silver onto the cold brass may cause that effect. Obviously covering areas where you do not want the dimples to go.

It seems more plausible than coating the whole thing with silver and then having to carve out each dimple separately.

11th December 2025, 10:46 AM	#1
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,248	Albanian pistols These pistols from Albania or Greece have fantastic silver stocks. Is there anyone here who can explain to me how these silver shafts with the many dimples were made? Attached Images

11th December 2025, 06:18 PM	#3
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,248	Oh yes, I have the Elgood books, but there isn't a single sentence that answers my question, what was the reason why I asked here. Last edited by corrado26; 11th December 2025 at 07:05 PM.

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11th December 2025, 03:31 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,722	These are wonderful 'rat tail' pistols, but fat outside my range. I'm sure you have Robert Elgood's " Arms of Greece and her Balkan Neighbors" . and wonder if there might be some ideas in that. Silver work is a very specialized craft so jewelry workers producing sword hilts, or resources on them might have info. Just ideas and looking forward to replies here with answers.

Yesterday, 09:55 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,722	Sorta figured that Udo, I dont have those handy right now so couldnt really check. Unfortunately most arms books are mostly typology, classifications and very little if anything on esoterica, history or manufacturing particulars. I tried looking into references on swords which dealt with silver hilt swords, and while they describe the types of decoration no mention is made of the means by which these were achieved. I suppose only references focused on the making of jewelry, especially dealing with national or ethnic styles etc. might have details. Some references like that have appendix' with such info. Not much help, but I wanted to add something, while hoping somebody out there with specific interest in these might know.

Today, 11:12 AM	#7
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,248	It looks like it is also not possible to contact the museum in Dubrovnik by e-mail; all the addresses given on its homepage do not work. Too bad!

Today, 11:24 AM	#8
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 370	Just a wild guess. But carefully dripping melted liquid silver onto the cold brass may cause that effect. Obviously covering areas where you do not want the dimples to go. It seems more plausible than coating the whole thing with silver and then having to carve out each dimple separately.