Indian Pistols

[Paul Duffy]

I have the pair of percussion pistols illustrated..They are 37cm overall,barrells 24cm, the lock is silver & engraved.The pistols are half stocked, no but cap,& a rib under the barrell also holds a wooden, brass tipped ramrod.
The percussion hammer seems to be based on the patent pillbox hammer made by Joseph Manton.On p241 of The Mantons Gunmakers, is a colour photo of a pair of Joseph Manton pelletlock pistols which are similar to these pistols.

The hammers on my pistols fire a percussion cap only,there is no provision for a pellet or pilllock action.

The barrell is decorated with ornate gold work & a long inscription, I assume in Urdu.

The stock is lavishly decorated in Indian or Ottoman style.At first I thought the decoration was hundreds of tiny brass pins & painting.However under the forestock the decoration seems to have rubbed off in a section, & there are no pin holes. I wonder whether the decoration was made in a sheet & then glued to the stock.
Around the lock, & on the reverse side flat, the areas are edged in bone.

I assume the pistols were made in India, & I would appreciate any comments especially on a translation of the barrell inscription & on the decoration on the stock.
I am attaching some photos.

[Fernando K]

Hello

For me it is a pair of European pistols, in which the wood was used to decorate it and the same with the barrel, in which inscription and decoration with gold foil was made, in a known method.

Gabria to have a photograph nearer the decoration of the lock, to hold some opinion.

Affectionately. Fernando K

[BANDOOK]

GRETINGS PAUL,
PLEASE COULD YOU POST PICTURES OF THE COMPLETE PISTOL
REGARDS RAJESH

[Oliver Pinchot]

These pistols are Persian work, they exhibit strong overall European formal influence in contrast to the more characteristic khatam or mosaic work on the stocks. The barrels bear what appear to be couplets and a date, 1260 a.h. (1843/44 c.e.)

[Paul Duffy]

Rajesh, thanks, I'll posy a photo showing th ewhole pistol.
Fernando, I'll also post some photos showing the lock area.
Oliver, many thanks for your comments.
Regards,Paul

[rickystl]

That is a very nice, and unusual pair of pistols. And obviously made in percussion (not converted). And the apparent date offer by Oliver would also confirm that. While the hammer styling may seem it bit unusual, I think it was intentionally done that way as part of the overall styling exercise. The mixture of European and Persian influences sure make for an interesting pair. And they appear in great condition. First class craftmanship. Yes, more pics as mentioned above would be great. Thanks for posting.

Rick

[BANDOOK]

GRETINGS PAUL,
PLEASE COULD YOU POST PICTURES OF THE COMPLETE PISTOL
REGARDS RAJESH