Help on ID of SxS pistol

C

chee-to

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Belgium black powder proofed. Stamped " FABRIQUES D'ARMES Fs DUMOULIN & CIE Liege" and "Belgium" on side of barrel, not stamped "black powder only," smooth bore, .50 cal. appears very well made, tight action, triggers crisp, nice case colors.....I can't find any info. I'm sure it's a early reproduction, any input would be appreciated....TIA..:confused:....(This is also posted on THR)
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All I can contribute is that Dumolin is a reputable Belgian gun company, but this sure looks like something off the bottom of their lineup. A very generic repro "pirate pistol" I would say.
 
It's a generic term that is applied to side by side caplocks of a short barrel length that were originally designed for protection from tigers while people rode in howdahs on the backs of elephants in places like India & Pakistan. It's a historical label that's used for any type of pistol resembling a Howdah pistol.
A pirate pistol is more often a flintlock but not always. And someone who was a pirate re-enactor just might use a Howdah pistol as a pirate pistol. It's just that it's more commonly referred to as being a Howdah pistol.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howdah

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howdah_pistol
 
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Ok did some checking and the ELG in an oval is a Liege proof mark in use from 1811-1892 so that's a pretty old puppy you've got, at least the barrels are. Stock could be new. ELG in an oval under a crown is the proof mark that's been in use since 1893.
 
Proofmark number 9 looks to be most similar which says that it's reserved for muzzle loading pistols since 1925.
I hadn't gone down the whole list myself.
At the bottom of the page is a list of date codes.
If the date code is an "O", the proof year is 1976.
If the date code is an "M", the proof year is 1974.

http://damascus-barrels.com/Belgian_All_Proofmarks.html
 
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I think the term "howdah pistol" has taken a great leap in usage since Pedersoli started selling a similar but larger percussion double barrelled pistol recently.

A gun of the style in the OP was advertised in 1975 as "The Buccaneer."
 
Howdah

Jim:
the term howdah pistol" has taken a great leap in usage since Pedersoli started selling a similar but larger percussion double barrelled pistol recently.
Click to expand...

I agree. The howdahs that I have seen (Pedersoli is one) and shot have all been larger bores - mostly .62 (20 ga.).
Here's the muzzle end of one that is shorter barreled than the Pedersoli:
PDBC_muzzle.JPG
[/IMG]

That Dumoulin does look like a nice piece though.
Pete
 
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