Original Item: One of a Kind. Belgium as we know it today was only established in 1830, when the population rebelled against Dutch rule. Prior to that, most of the country had been known as Flanders and other local areas, which were possessions of Spain, France and Holland over the prior several hundreds of years. Belgium was an Industrial powerhouse with its great capacity coming from the City of Liège, where gun making was a key industry supplying Military Weapons all over Europe, especially after 1832 once it had established its own government.
At first inspection, this looks like the standard Flintlock Sea Service pistol produced by Belgium during the Napoleonic Era, where they were used by the Batavian and later Dutch Navy after the defeat of Napoleon. However, on closer examination it shows a proof or acceptance mark right on the steel lock plate, clearly in Arabic. This indicates that this pistol was made for the then predominant Middle Eastern Power of the day, the OTTOMAN EMPIRE, that we known as Turkey today.
Of course in the 1830s the Ottoman Empire covered most of the Middle East and North Africa, and this lasted until the close of WW1. Extremely powerful, the Ottomans were much sought after by the European powers as allies at that period and fluctuated between Great Britain and France until Britain gained the upper hand. Actual issue Military Flintlocks of the Ottoman Empire are hard to find, so this is really quite an important well marked Flint lock pistol.
In great condition and working order, ready to display.
Specifications:
Years of Manufacture: circa 1830
Caliber: approx .69″
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 9 inches
Overall Length: 15 1/2 Inches
Action: Side Action Flintlock
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.