Unknown gun/pistol

corrado26 · 12th February 2017, 06:03 PM

I intend to write an article on this pistol for a German magazin and needed some more background, because I think this piece is worthwhile to loose some words about it. That's the reason for my questions.
Thanks a lot
corrado26

rickystl · 13th February 2017, 01:54 PM

Hi Corrado.

Also referred to as Ottoman/Turkish Knee Pistols. The reference being used while on horseback and fired with the butt stock positioned on the knee.
As Richard mentions, it probably originated in England sometime in the 18th Century, but never seemed to catch on. But they were very popular throughout the Ottoman Empire till the early-mid 19th Century. Most of the specimens remaining today (many) were made at one of the many gun making centers in the Balkans. But I agree with Kubur that this one is much higher quality, and probably Turkish made. Probably around 1800. But it looks more early than later. It's probably the best looking one I've seen. Very high quality. And the trigger guard looks to e pinned to the stock (ala European) versus being simply nailed to the stock as the Balkan pieces were.
It's a very nice Knee Pistol. I have a good original 19th Century photo of a warrior carrying one that I'll post when I return home this weekend.
Thanks for posting such a great example.

Rick

Kubur · 13th February 2017, 02:22 PM

Ooops look at what i found
Wallace Museum number 2066, Turkish...
Very similar...

rickystl · 18th February 2017, 04:42 PM

The warrior in the middle, sitting down, is holding one of these Knee Pistols.
I'm posting in Large and Medium. Hopefully, one of our members with the know-how can enlarge one of the photos to get a better look at the blunderbuss pistol. LOL.

Rick

corrado26 · 19th February 2017, 02:46 PM

Very interesting!!! Thanks a lot
corrado26

Ian · 19th February 2017, 03:11 PM

Rick:

This is the best I could get out of the originals.

Ian.

rickystl · 19th February 2017, 03:59 PM

Thanks Ian. 19th Century photos are tough to deal with. LOL.

Rick.

13th February 2017, 02:22 PM	#3
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Ooops look at what i found Wallace Museum number 2066, Turkish... Very similar... Attached Images

18th February 2017, 04:42 PM	#4
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,630	The warrior in the middle, sitting down, is holding one of these Knee Pistols. I'm posting in Large and Medium. Hopefully, one of our members with the know-how can enlarge one of the photos to get a better look at the blunderbuss pistol. LOL. Rick Attached Images

19th February 2017, 03:11 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	Rick: This is the best I could get out of the originals. Ian. Attached Images

12th February 2017, 06:03 PM	#1
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,226	I intend to write an article on this pistol for a German magazin and needed some more background, because I think this piece is worthwhile to loose some words about it. That's the reason for my questions. Thanks a lot corrado26

13th February 2017, 01:54 PM	#2
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,630	Hi Corrado. Also referred to as Ottoman/Turkish Knee Pistols. The reference being used while on horseback and fired with the butt stock positioned on the knee. As Richard mentions, it probably originated in England sometime in the 18th Century, but never seemed to catch on. But they were very popular throughout the Ottoman Empire till the early-mid 19th Century. Most of the specimens remaining today (many) were made at one of the many gun making centers in the Balkans. But I agree with Kubur that this one is much higher quality, and probably Turkish made. Probably around 1800. But it looks more early than later. It's probably the best looking one I've seen. Very high quality. And the trigger guard looks to e pinned to the stock (ala European) versus being simply nailed to the stock as the Balkan pieces were. It's a very nice Knee Pistol. I have a good original 19th Century photo of a warrior carrying one that I'll post when I return home this weekend. Thanks for posting such a great example. Rick

19th February 2017, 02:46 PM	#5
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,226	Very interesting!!! Thanks a lot corrado26

19th February 2017, 03:59 PM	#7
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,630	Thanks Ian. 19th Century photos are tough to deal with. LOL. Rick.