Miquelet-Pistol of the Osmanic Empire

Kubur · 13th May 2017, 07:53 PM

This kind of filigree is more obvious and clear to understand.

rickystl · 13th May 2017, 09:24 PM

Hi Corrado.

That is a beautiful Balkan pistol!!! A an outstanding example of the style.
Some observations: The general lock "style" is the most common I've seen on these pistols, as well as many others. That this lock was so widely utilized is an indication of it's reliability. I can say from personal experience that the lock does in fact perform well. Yours, of course is decorated to match the rest of the gun.
The other thing that caught my eye is the trigger. The trigger is decorated in a similar fashion of Greek pistols. Though the Greeks seemed more fond of the triggers in human type forms.
My guess is the pistol was made for either Albanian or Montenegro tastes.
Do you have a close-up of the inlay in the center of the 8 stars on the barrel ? I'm wondering if it is a Crest ?

Again, a beautiful piece. Congratulations.

Rick

corrado26 · 14th May 2017, 07:55 AM

Thanks a lot for all your helpful comments and for rickystl fotos of the stars and the halfmoon on the barrel.
corrado26

rickystl · 14th May 2017, 03:39 PM

Hi Corrado.

Thanks for the additional images. The face in the cresant moon surrounded by stars in the sky. While the cresant moon shape (without the face) is common on Ottoman guns, I've seen this human face in the moon on three other guns that I recall, all Greek. This, combined with the decorative trigger may be additional evidence that this pistol may have been made for a Greek customer. Of course I'm just speculating. But it seems to make sense to me at the moment. LOL
Thanks for posting this beautiful pistol.

Rick

rickystl · 14th May 2017, 03:54 PM

Just as a comparison, here is one that I own. Made very similar to Corrado's.
This one has the plain trigger you see on most Albanian pistols. And you can just make out the Albanian bird crest on the breech of the barrel. So, It's likely this one was made for an Albanian customer.

Now that I think about it, mine is due for another cleaning. Seems I have to do this once a year. LOL But it's rather easy to do. The silver stock does tarnish.

Rick

BANDOOK · 16th May 2017, 08:53 AM

BEAUTIFUL BALKAN PISTOL AND IN GREAT CONDITION
LOVELY PISTOL RICK,PLEASE TELL ME HOW YOU CLEAN UP THESE GUNS,CHEERS

rickystl · 20th May 2017, 08:49 PM

Hi Bandook.

On this silver stocked pistol, I just remove the lock and barrel and use spray on silver polish, wait a half minute, and wipe off with a soft towel used for polising automobiles. For the spike in the grip area after spraying on and still damp, I use a nylon bristle brush, then wipe off. Seems to work fine. And does not over polish the silver. I'll post a photo right after I clean mine. It will look closer to Corrado's. But Corrado's is in EXTRA nice condition.

Rick

13th May 2017, 07:53 PM	#1
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	This kind of filigree is more obvious and clear to understand. Attached Images

14th May 2017, 07:55 AM	#3
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,238	Thanks a lot for all your helpful comments and for rickystl fotos of the stars and the halfmoon on the barrel. corrado26 Attached Images

14th May 2017, 03:54 PM	#5
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Just as a comparison, here is one that I own. Made very similar to Corrado's. This one has the plain trigger you see on most Albanian pistols. And you can just make out the Albanian bird crest on the breech of the barrel. So, It's likely this one was made for an Albanian customer. Now that I think about it, mine is due for another cleaning. Seems I have to do this once a year. LOL But it's rather easy to do. The silver stock does tarnish. Rick Attached Images

13th May 2017, 09:24 PM	#2
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Hi Corrado. That is a beautiful Balkan pistol!!! A an outstanding example of the style. Some observations: The general lock "style" is the most common I've seen on these pistols, as well as many others. That this lock was so widely utilized is an indication of it's reliability. I can say from personal experience that the lock does in fact perform well. Yours, of course is decorated to match the rest of the gun. The other thing that caught my eye is the trigger. The trigger is decorated in a similar fashion of Greek pistols. Though the Greeks seemed more fond of the triggers in human type forms. My guess is the pistol was made for either Albanian or Montenegro tastes. Do you have a close-up of the inlay in the center of the 8 stars on the barrel ? I'm wondering if it is a Crest ? Again, a beautiful piece. Congratulations. Rick

14th May 2017, 03:39 PM	#4
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Hi Corrado. Thanks for the additional images. The face in the cresant moon surrounded by stars in the sky. While the cresant moon shape (without the face) is common on Ottoman guns, I've seen this human face in the moon on three other guns that I recall, all Greek. This, combined with the decorative trigger may be additional evidence that this pistol may have been made for a Greek customer. Of course I'm just speculating. But it seems to make sense to me at the moment. LOL Thanks for posting this beautiful pistol. Rick

16th May 2017, 08:53 AM	#6
BANDOOK Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND Posts: 627	BEAUTIFUL BALKAN PISTOL AND IN GREAT CONDITION LOVELY PISTOL RICK,PLEASE TELL ME HOW YOU CLEAN UP THESE GUNS,CHEERS

20th May 2017, 08:49 PM	#7
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Hi Bandook. On this silver stocked pistol, I just remove the lock and barrel and use spray on silver polish, wait a half minute, and wipe off with a soft towel used for polising automobiles. For the spike in the grip area after spraying on and still damp, I use a nylon bristle brush, then wipe off. Seems to work fine. And does not over polish the silver. I'll post a photo right after I clean mine. It will look closer to Corrado's. But Corrado's is in EXTRA nice condition. Rick