Original 18th Century Balkan Miquelet Lock Rat Tail Pistol with Leather Lock Protector – circa 1750 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This type of pistol is often referred to as a Miquelet “Rat Tail” Pistol, because of the shape of the stock. These were the traditional muzzle loading pistol of the Balkans and Greece in the early to mid 1800s. Designed to be worn in a sash around one’s waist, the weapon is very streamlined in appearance. It has some ornate brass fittings on the grip and the tail, but otherwise the wood stock is exposed, and quite attractive. The Miquelet ignition system is a hangover from High Quality Italian pistols of the 17th and early 18th centuries.

This particular Miquelet lock mechanism is fitted with a leather hand guard designed to protect the shooter’s right hand from flash blow back when discharging the weapon, this is the first example we have seen of this “protective” device. This is certainly most unusual and hard to find. There is no provision for a ram rod as these were traditionally worn on a thong around the shooter’s neck.

These are just the weapons carried by Brigands and Pirates of the Mediterranean Sea that caused so much trouble to the Europeans in the early 1800s. Most decorative, with an intriguing ignition system, 18″ overall, with a 11″ inch smoothbore barrel.

Ready to Display!

History of the Miquelet Lock:
Miquelet lock is a modern term used by collectors and curators, largely in the English-speaking world, for a type of firing mechanism used in muskets
and pistols. It is a distinctive form of snaplock, originally as a flint-against-steel ignition form, once prevalent in Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Balkans, North Africa, Ottoman Empire and throughout Spain’s colonies from the late 16th to the mid 19th centuries.

The term miquelet lock was not recorded until the 19th century, long after the appearance of the mechanism in the 16th century, and is of uncertain origin. One commonly held view is that it was coined by British troops in the Peninsular War to describe the style of musket used by the Miquelet (militia) that had been assigned to the Peninsular Army of the Duke of Wellington.

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1750
Caliber: .63″ Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Overall Length: 18 inches
Barrel Length: 11 inches
Action: Miquelet Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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