Original 19th Century Greek or Balkan Ornate Silver Clad Miquelet Lock Rat Tail Pistol with Markings – c.1805 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. These were often referred to as Miquelet “Rat Tail” Pistols 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. The wood stock is profusely decorated with embossings of fabulously worked Silver, which could possibly be cast pieces which were engraved. The Miquelet ignition system is a hangover from High Quality Italian pistols of the 17th and early 18th centuries.

This is a particularly breathtaking example retaining ALL its Silver mountings, all complete and simply great. They are engraved, embossed, as well as covered in silver filligree in some areas. The Miquelet lock is also engraved on just about every piece except for the spring. There does appear to be a date on the lock, but this was most likely added simply for decoration, and is not a true indication of the manufacture date.

The barrel also has some simple engravings, as well as the marking Pro: Tuoni g/n Fran’co on top, which suggests it may be originally of European manufacture. The ramrod is unfortunately missing from this example. Interestingly, a good portion of the wood stock is deliberately exposed quite deliberately which is rather unusual for these pistols. This is certainly most unusual and hard to find.

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, 20 overall, this is one of the best examples of a Miquelet “Rat-Tail” pistol we have ever had.

Ready to Display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1805
Caliber: .63″ Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Overall Length: 20 inches
Barrel Length: 12 3/4 inches
Action: Miquelet Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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.

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