Original 18th Century Cossack Silver-mounted Miquelet Ball Butt Pistol with Gold Inlay c.1760-1800 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Probably dating to 1760-1800, this is a drop dead gorgeous ball butted MIQUELET lock pistol fitted with a “ball” trigger. Measuring 13 1/2″ in overall length with an 8″ barrel. The lower half of the ball butt and the entire upper portion of the hand grip and the three wide barrel rings, all of Silver with the exposed parts of the iron barrel, the ball butt trigger and the entire lock smothered in gold inlays. Truly amazing and very attractive!

The pistol appears to be a Maker’s mark cartouche on the lock plate. Never fitted with a trigger guard these pistols were designed to be worn thrust in a sash around the waist of the mounted Cossack. The main body of the pistol is mostly covered in what looks to be fine grained leather, or some type of pebbled finish, which is very interesting! The upper part of the Ball butt is not covered in silver, and is made of polished quality wood.

This particular pistol has languished in a private collection up on Cape Cod for generations and has only recently come to light. 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: c.1760-1800
Caliber: .50″ Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 8 inches
Overall Length: 13 1/2 Inches
Action: Miquelet Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.