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Joined: Apr 2004
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Sidelock
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Gents,

I have a lady correspondent who, having inherited some guns from her father, would like to know more about them. The shotguns have been covered but not this pair of percussion cannon barrelled pocket pistols.

Here's some pics .... Repro ? pistols

My feeling is they are Belgian, and possibly semi - modern repros.

Any clues?

Eug

Last edited by eugene molloy; 03/01/17 01:43 PM.

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what makes you think they are repro? Lot of hand work required to produce them. The marks on the bottom don't seem to be Belgium. The marks look to be similar to the old Birmingham Inspection mark use from 1812 to 1904. Hard to see it clearly enough to be certain. Oops, didn't find the rest of the photos at first. It is clearly marked with the old London or Birmingham inspection mark. Someone making a repro would have gone to a lot of trouble to make a stamp for these. I think they are original and most likely from London.

Last edited by Jerry V Lape; 03/01/17 06:47 PM.
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I wonder if they are Birmingham and upside down in the picture???????
http://www.dave-cushman.net/shot/proofmarks.html
Mike

Last edited by skeettx; 03/01/17 04:28 PM.

USAF RET 1971-95 [Linked Image from jpgbox.com]
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Looking at the pictures they look antique and English. Best to have them looked at by an expert as if repro they require a Firearms Certificate to possess. If you are a BASC member then drop Bill Harriman a line with pictures. As I say they look o.k. to me. Boxlock pocket pistols but a little better than the average that I see about. Lagopus.....

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Definitely original and rather nice.


When an old man dies a library burns to the ground. (Old African proverb)
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What do I know? crazy

I just thought a percussion pistol, being old, wouldn't have the amount of colour case finish left.

I did think "The Green Man" was typically English, so therefore undoubtedly a Belgian fake!

Eug

Last edited by eugene molloy; 03/01/17 05:51 PM.

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Yeah, that "Richards" "London" really points to a pricepoint Belgian piece. Hopefully Jani will stop by as we've been scouring the bowels of the internet for similar Ferlach pieces.
Are the proofmarks on the underside "X"-ed out?
Cheers,

Raimey
rse

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Gentlemen,

Although I've dropped out of the forum, as a matter of courtesy I'm tying up this loose end.

On my advice the lady sent some pics and a request for valuation to Holts in the UK and they gave the following ....

Quote:
Your pair of pocket or travelling pistols were made by Theo. Richards in London around 1775. There do not appear to be any hallmarks on the silver butt-caps that would enable more accurate dating, although the caps are almost certainly the work of Charles Frith. The proofmarks are what are known as ‘private proofs’, quite common at this time and often mistaken for later Birmingham marks. You are correct in assuming that they have been converted to percussion from flintlock, but actually they are ‘boxlock turn-off’ pistols as opposed to ‘Queen Anne’ types. True ‘Queen Anne’ pistols have side hammers and exposed frizzen springs.

Unfortunately, even though it is part of history and was very common practise, the conversion to percussion does effect the value. In an English auction as they stand I would expect an estimate of Ł500-800, with a realised price of around Ł650-700. In fairness to you, this sort of price should be readily achievable in the U.S. as well.


They have just sold at auction in the States for a little over the equivalent of Ł750.

Thanks,

Eug


Last edited by eugene molloy; 05/14/17 06:05 AM.

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A satisfactory outcome. I hope the new owner appreciates them. Lagopus.....


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