Double Barrel Percussion Pocket Pistol

RobertGuy · 27th November 2016, 05:18 PM

A recent impulse purchase at auction.
Catalogue description:
Mid 19th Century Double Barrel Percussion Pocket Pistol. 50 bore 3 1/4 inch sise by side octagonal barrels. Lower rib fitted with asteel swivel ramrod. Action frame sides and topwith floral engraving. Pecusion dolphin head hammers with matching engraving. Polished wooden bag shape grip with brasspommel and white metal escutcheon.

My Stats:
Weight: 1lb 4oz
Bore: .45 inch (11.6mm), 50 bore?
Length overall: 7 3/4 inch (19.8cm)
Barrels : 3 1/4 inch (8.3cm)

Floral engraving on hammers, top frame, lock sides and trigger guard. Small amount of engraving on muzzel ends. Two proof marks on underside of each barrel. No makers marks or signature. Silver escutcheon not marked or marks/engraving worn away.

Small repairs to sides of wooden grip by the lock platres. One of the hammers has been rep[laced and is slightly mismatched. It has a slightly simpler form of engraving and differently shaped hammer spur.This gives the pistol a rather cock-eared look

I assume this is an English pistol from about 1850 but there is no makers mark so I cannot tell for sure. Can anyone decypher the proof marks? They are not very clear. Any insights anyone can offer would be welcome.

corrado26 · 27th November 2016, 06:10 PM

These are as far as I can see the Birmingham/GB view- and proofmarks
corrado26

fernando · 28th November 2016, 11:39 AM

I would agree.

RobertGuy · 28th November 2016, 01:15 PM

Thank you both. Does 1850 seem about the right date for this?

Bob A · 6th December 2016, 03:04 AM

Rifled barrels, or smoothe bore?

RobertGuy · 6th December 2016, 08:03 AM

Smooth bore. Would that indicate an earlier date?

27th November 2016, 05:18 PM	#1
RobertGuy Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 135	Double Barrel Percussion Pocket Pistol A recent impulse purchase at auction. Catalogue description: Mid 19th Century Double Barrel Percussion Pocket Pistol. 50 bore 3 1/4 inch sise by side octagonal barrels. Lower rib fitted with asteel swivel ramrod. Action frame sides and topwith floral engraving. Pecusion dolphin head hammers with matching engraving. Polished wooden bag shape grip with brasspommel and white metal escutcheon. My Stats: Weight: 1lb 4oz Bore: .45 inch (11.6mm), 50 bore? Length overall: 7 3/4 inch (19.8cm) Barrels : 3 1/4 inch (8.3cm) Floral engraving on hammers, top frame, lock sides and trigger guard. Small amount of engraving on muzzel ends. Two proof marks on underside of each barrel. No makers marks or signature. Silver escutcheon not marked or marks/engraving worn away. Small repairs to sides of wooden grip by the lock platres. One of the hammers has been rep[laced and is slightly mismatched. It has a slightly simpler form of engraving and differently shaped hammer spur.This gives the pistol a rather cock-eared look I assume this is an English pistol from about 1850 but there is no makers mark so I cannot tell for sure. Can anyone decypher the proof marks? They are not very clear. Any insights anyone can offer would be welcome. Attached Images

27th November 2016, 06:10 PM	#2
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,171	These are as far as I can see the Birmingham/GB view- and proofmarks corrado26

28th November 2016, 11:39 AM	#3
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,652	I would agree.

28th November 2016, 01:15 PM	#4
RobertGuy Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 135	Thank you both. Does 1850 seem about the right date for this?

6th December 2016, 03:04 AM	#5
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 415	Rifled barrels, or smoothe bore?

6th December 2016, 08:03 AM	#6
RobertGuy Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 135	Smooth bore. Would that indicate an earlier date?