Unusually Large Caliber (?) Percussion Target / Dueling Pistols c1860

Pukka Bundook · 10th March 2016, 04:30 AM

Dana,

The style of the cocks on these pistols appears to me more in line with the 40's rather than '60's but that's all I can say!

Dougall was famous for his Lockfast action, and is a very well known maker.

The barrels of your pistols are a stub iron twist, Nothing 'faux' about them.

I'm surprised you have had a hard time finding pistols of this calibre. They were never as common as say 16 or 14 bore, but do show up quite often.
I'd suggest looking at auction sales, or sale archives at places like Holts.

For a back-up in the hunting field or howdah, pistols of 12 to 10 bore are the norm rather than the exception.
My own pistols from this period are smaller bore than these, (16 bore, 20-bore or .62 calibre, and about 22 bore.) Apart from pocket pistols I think bores of half an inch are the exception rather than the rule.

"The Great Guns" by Harold L Peterson, has a chapter on howdah pistols.

You will also find that dragoon pistols, though severely plain are also of the same bore as yours, or just a little larger...roughly .76 calibre to take the standard musket ball.

Best Regards,
Richard.

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10th March 2016, 04:30 AM	#7
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Dana, The style of the cocks on these pistols appears to me more in line with the 40's rather than '60's but that's all I can say! Dougall was famous for his Lockfast action, and is a very well known maker. The barrels of your pistols are a stub iron twist, Nothing 'faux' about them. I'm surprised you have had a hard time finding pistols of this calibre. They were never as common as say 16 or 14 bore, but do show up quite often. I'd suggest looking at auction sales, or sale archives at places like Holts. For a back-up in the hunting field or howdah, pistols of 12 to 10 bore are the norm rather than the exception. My own pistols from this period are smaller bore than these, (16 bore, 20-bore or .62 calibre, and about 22 bore.) Apart from pocket pistols I think bores of half an inch are the exception rather than the rule. "The Great Guns" by Harold L Peterson, has a chapter on howdah pistols. You will also find that dragoon pistols, though severely plain are also of the same bore as yours, or just a little larger...roughly .76 calibre to take the standard musket ball. Best Regards, Richard.