Original Item. Only one Available. This is lovely well-used North African “Barbary Pirate” Snaphaunce, similar to flintlock, pistol from what is today Morocco /Algeria or Lybia. These were fashioned after Spanish 17th Century Snaphaunce pistols, and this example is really quite faithful to it’s Spanish ancestry. Ball butted with brass mounts this has certainly seen its day.
Snaphaunce hammer is complete with internal spring but will not stay back when cocked. The worn barrel and iron lock may well be 17th century reused. Romantic and is just what the Barbary Pirates would have carried. Perfect for hanging on a wall or as part of any pirate collection.
History of the Snaphaunce Lock:
A snaphance or snaphaunce is a type of lock for firing a gun or is a gun using that mechanism. The name is Dutch in origin but the mechanism can not be attributed to the Netherlands with certainty. It is the mechanical progression of the wheellock firing mechanism, and along with the miquelet lock and doglock are predecessors of the flintlock mechanism. It fires from a flint struck against a striker plate above a steel pan to ignite the priming powder which fires the gun. Examples of this firearm can be found through Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.