Bronze Cannon Barrel Flintlock Pistol Ca 1790
ANTIQUE BRONZE CANNON BARREL BOX LOCK TRAVELING
FLINTLOCK – Ca 1790
DIMENSIONS:
Length overall 7
3/4″ Length of barrel 3 3/4″
Bore
1/2″ .50 caliber
Weight 14 ounces
Presented
is a hard-to-find cannon barrel flintlock in bronze. It is of the box lock design with a smooth bore barrel of 4 1/2
inches length, and a bore of 48 mm. The firing machinery is iron, black with age, and some light rust and minor pitting.
There are no maker’s marks or proof marks. There is slight gunpowder residue in the barrel.
The sides of the cheek plates are engraved with heraldic symbols of a gunpowder
flask, flags and other embellishments on the obverse and a cannon on wheels and flags on the reverse. There also are
leaves engraved on the bottom of the trigger guard. The frizzen is pierced for a sliding safety and the
tang has a pintal “Safety-catch”. When fired, the top jaw’s screw broke, and is temporarily glued
in place. If used for more than a display, then this should be repaired by a gunsmith. All the iron machinery appears
to be original. The trigger is a hard pull, but fires and will hold the “cocked” position.
Plain, Bag-shaped,
walnut grips with some light handling marks, generally sharp contours, no shrinkage, but a small missing piece at the
top reverse. Otherwise the grips are good with only minor dents and evidence of being carried. The finish is original
with a nice age patina.A nice example of an English Box lock Belt/Traveling
Pistol that could be improved with some minor professional attention. It dates to C
All our weapons are antiques, and are sold for display
only. They are not intended to be fired.
HISTORY
OF FLINTLOCK: This is the general term
for any firearm based on the flintlock mechanism. Introduced about 1610 – 1630, the flintlock rapidly replaced earlier firearm-ignition
technologies, such as the matchlock and wheel lock mechanisms. It continued to be in common use for over two centuries,
replaced by percussion cap and, later, cartridge systems in the early-to-mid 19th century. The Model 1840
U.S. musket was the last flintlock firearm produced for the U.S. military although there is evidence obsolete flintlocks
were seeing action in the earliest days of the Civil War. In fact, during the first year of the war, the Army of Tennessee
(Confederacy) had over 2,000 flintlock muskets in service. While technologically obsolete, flintlock firearms have enjoyed
a renaissance among black powder shooting enthusiasts and many fine reproduction flintlock rifles and pistols
are being made today.
Engraved cheek plate reverse
Engraved cheek plate obverse
