Question about Tower Flintlock pistol - real or repro?

[srh11293]

I have recently picked a Tower Flintlock pistol - and I believe/hope it to be real. However there are a lot of reproductions of this gun around. Sounds like in the 70s and 80s many many repros have been made.

Can anyone take a look at the scans and advise me about this particular pistol.

Thank you,

Vlad

 

[4V50 Gary]

I'm going through Blackmore's British Military Firearms 1650-1850 and the pistols depicted in that book shows the brass nose set back a bit further. It should also have a swivel that holds the ramrod.

If the cock is original, it is of the later Napoleonic era style cocks that copied the French in that it is not the swan neck style cock but a ring (circle beneath the lower jaw) style that is stronger. Naturally, this precludes the piece from being depicted in Neuman's guide to Rev. War weapons.

 

[srh11293]

Thank you very much for the reply and an interesting observation related to the swan neck design. I only have a few flint locks, and, therefore still learning.

Based on your response, I'm concluding that the pistol is original (i.e. early 19th century, and not 1970s Japanese reproduction) - correct?

Vlad

 

[Hawg]

It "looks" real enough but what markings are on the barrel?

 

[srh11293]

No markngs at all. At least none than I could find

 

[4V50 Gary]

The barrel should have some markings.

It is possible that the gun was restocked.

 

[srh11293]

It could have been, I don't know. It did surprise me that the barrel was unmarked, but not knowing the history of the gun (or much about flintlocks in general), I really cannot comment. Thus help from this forum is priceless.

Thanks,

Vlad

 

[Hawg]

The thing that bothers me about it is there's virtually no pitting and no markings on the barrel. There's a very minor bit of pitting on the lock but the barrel looks absolutely pristine and it should have a British proofmark and acceptance stamp. Those would be deep enough to still show even on a badly pitted barrel. I'm not saying it's not real but I have my doubts. It's not a Japanese made gun. If it is indeed a modern copy it was a professional build. Methinks you need to take it to an expert for a hands on appraisal.

 

[srh11293]

I tried to take the gun apart and here are few scans. however... I do not know how to take the barrel out. There is a screw at the end of the barrel, but there is no wedge, thus I have no idea where the front connection is.

 

[Hawg]

The lock looks authentic as does the stock. Maybe the barrel was changed at some point.. There's a small pin just above the ramrod thimble. Carefully, oh so carefully drive it out and take the tang screw out and the barrel will come off.

 

[4V50 Gary]

No bridle on the lock. I have to see if I can find images of a British lock from the 19th century.

I also have to see if I can find images of the inletted area of the stock for the lock.

 

[srh11293]

Thank you for your help, I'm learning more and more about these beautiful weapons.

Not sure I know what a bridle is. I tried to look up that term on the web (http://home.insightbb.com/~bspen/flintterm.html) and it looks like my lock has similar half circular metal piece.

Vlad

 

[4V50 Gary]

Do you have a dial caliper? We may be able to tell if it's a restock immediately if you do and can take some measurements.

 

[srh11293]

Diameter of the inside of the barrel is 16.8 mm to 17.0 mm (about .666 inches). Diameter of the outside is 22.3 mm

Was able to get the barrel off the frame. The only marking I found was "8" and "1". Additional scans attached.

Thank you,

Vlad

 

[srh11293]

scans of the inside of the frame