Knee-pistol of the Osmanic Empire

rickystl · 29th December 2017, 09:05 PM

Hi Philip.

Yes, there had to be a European origin to this pistol style. It seems like it never caught on in Europe. But as mentioned, it was certainly popular in the Eastern markets for a long time. Another one of these Eastern mysteries.
Yes, knee pistol is a curious analogy. But notice some of these pistols (unlike Corrado's) have an even more curved butt plate. I took one of these with the extra curve and sat on a chair and positioned it over my knee. It does fit very well. LOL Although I would not want to try firing it off my knee without a leather pad. LOL And maybe this is what they did (?) With a pistol size load and a leather pad, I could see this doable. I'm somewhat more inclined to think the butt was pressed against the saddle or waist/hip. There does not seem to be any real historic evidence one way or the other.
One thing I have noticed on all these knee pistols is the wide/thick grip area. Obviously for added strength.
Come to think of it, at our shooting range there is a cowboy action area with a manican horse. Maybe I should try this out ? LOL

Rick

Philip · 29th December 2017, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickystl

Hi Philip.

Yes, there had to be a European origin to this pistol style. It seems like it never caught on in Europe.
Come to think of it, at our shooting range there is a cowboy action area with a manican horse. Maybe I should try this out ? LOL

Rick

True, the gun-butt style of grip was in fashion for only a limited time in Europe but we see in some Western countries a wider popularity of big pistols whose barrels approached or even overlapped carbine size. Case in point -- those long barreled pedrenyales with short ball butts made in Ripoll. Brescian pistoletti had barrels as long as 20-22 in. -- comparable to those on the short trombino (with a conventional shoulder stock) made throughout the peninsula. ( I just picked up a trombino made in Naples, probably late 17th cent., with a barrel barely over 19 in., and a bore around .50 diameter.) There are quite a few Brescian pistols around which are longer. Similarly long handguns were made in Germanic countries as well but I'm not as familiar with those.

So it goes to show that both Western and Eastern cultues saw the need for very large handguns, it's just that a particular grip style was preferred in one area for a much longer period -- perhaps in keeping with the technical conservatism which many Oriental civilizations were prone to in the first place.

digenis · 2nd January 2018, 04:09 PM

According to Greek sources these "knee-pistols" were primarily used in the maritime environment by sailors. I guess when boarding an enemy vessel or defending against such action they would serve as a combat shotgun would today. Spray the pellets and close with the enemy for the direct action with the yataghan.

Very nice piece.

Kubur · 3rd January 2018, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digenis

According to Greek sources these "knee-pistols" were primarily used in the maritime environment by sailors. I guess when boarding an enemy vessel or defending against such action they would serve as a combat shotgun would today. Spray the pellets and close with the enemy for the direct action with the yataghan.

Very nice piece.

Digenis is right and brings us to the first post. This blunderbuss is from Tunisia.
The pirates and privateers from North Africa were very active from Morocco to Algeria....

Fernando K · 3rd January 2018, 10:55 AM

Hello everyone

Mmmm ..... I have my doubts. Despite the lush decoration, it seems a piece for tourists. The engraving seems to me that it has been imitated in the foundry. I would like to see some picture of the inside of the key .....

Affectionately. Fernando K

corrado26 · 3rd January 2018, 03:05 PM

Here are some more Fotos
corrado26

Fernando K · 3rd January 2018, 03:27 PM

Hello

Definitely, it seems to me a lock armed with castings, instead of being forged. I have not seen any indication that has been filed in any part, not even in the springs. The surfaces show a granulate, compatible with casting

The decoration in the barrel in the shape of a zig-zag show a rounded edge, incompatible with the chiseling or chiseled.

A test would be to mount a stone in the foot of the cat (cock or hammer) and shoot, to see if the frizzen produces sparks. If, as I suspect it is false, it would not produce sparks.

is what I think, just by looking at the pictures.

Affectionately. Fernando K

3rd January 2018, 03:05 PM	#6
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,231	Here are some more Fotos corrado26 Attached Images

29th December 2017, 09:05 PM	#1
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	Hi Philip. Yes, there had to be a European origin to this pistol style. It seems like it never caught on in Europe. But as mentioned, it was certainly popular in the Eastern markets for a long time. Another one of these Eastern mysteries. Yes, knee pistol is a curious analogy. But notice some of these pistols (unlike Corrado's) have an even more curved butt plate. I took one of these with the extra curve and sat on a chair and positioned it over my knee. It does fit very well. LOL Although I would not want to try firing it off my knee without a leather pad. LOL And maybe this is what they did (?) With a pistol size load and a leather pad, I could see this doable. I'm somewhat more inclined to think the butt was pressed against the saddle or waist/hip. There does not seem to be any real historic evidence one way or the other. One thing I have noticed on all these knee pistols is the wide/thick grip area. Obviously for added strength. Come to think of it, at our shooting range there is a cowboy action area with a manican horse. Maybe I should try this out ? LOL Rick

2nd January 2018, 04:09 PM	#3
digenis Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 48	According to Greek sources these "knee-pistols" were primarily used in the maritime environment by sailors. I guess when boarding an enemy vessel or defending against such action they would serve as a combat shotgun would today. Spray the pellets and close with the enemy for the direct action with the yataghan. Very nice piece.

3rd January 2018, 10:55 AM	#5
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 671	Hello everyone Mmmm ..... I have my doubts. Despite the lush decoration, it seems a piece for tourists. The engraving seems to me that it has been imitated in the foundry. I would like to see some picture of the inside of the key ..... Affectionately. Fernando K

3rd January 2018, 03:27 PM	#7
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 671	Hello Definitely, it seems to me a lock armed with castings, instead of being forged. I have not seen any indication that has been filed in any part, not even in the springs. The surfaces show a granulate, compatible with casting The decoration in the barrel in the shape of a zig-zag show a rounded edge, incompatible with the chiseling or chiseled. A test would be to mount a stone in the foot of the cat (cock or hammer) and shoot, to see if the frizzen produces sparks. If, as I suspect it is false, it would not produce sparks. is what I think, just by looking at the pictures. Affectionately. Fernando K