Belgian Flintlock Pistol

[echo5whiskey]

Several years ago, I came across this piece in a pawn shop/antique store. It was very unique (to me); and at $300, I thought I paid a pretty good price for it (maybe I did; that, I don't know). I mainly got it because it matches my living room décor, so I'm happy with it either way.

I was able to find out a little bit about it, but there's not really a lot to go on. I'll include the links to what I found as I go, and I'll finish with some pics. If anyone here has more knowledge, or if I got something completely wrong, I'm very open to learning.

Here goes...

Through a Google search of the proof, I found a blog (http://gerardcox.blogspot.com/2014/06/deciphering-belgian-proof-marks.html) (generally I don't trust them, but this one seems to be fairly well researched--at least to me) that mentions Belgian proof marks. According to a 1978 article in The Gun Digest, as quoted by Mr. Cox, the proof appears to be from approximately 1810-1853 (It could also be the proof used from 1846-1924 for handguns.). Mr. Cox also stated, according to a book from 1910, that the particular proof mark used, signifies that the firearm was produced in the city of Liege.

I found a couple other close examples here (http://www.prices4antiques.com/Pistol-Flintlock-Belgian-ELG-Mark-Brass-Cannon-Barrel-8-inch-D9729614.html) and here (http://www.horstheld.com/0-Belgium.html). Mine isn't nearly in as good of a condition as those, but they appear to be similar in manufacture.

http://i.imgur.com/nenxBsH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5MnQpko.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GTpwjZ2.jpg
It appears a repair was made for some reason, at some point. I'm not familiar enough with inner workings of this thing to make a guess, though.
http://i.imgur.com/z0JzNkP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZujgPIf.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PJn1WUi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oHnQWuM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9wMYXQ8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tbjGiqz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JxMh4KS.jpg
Comparison to a .40 cal round. I have no idea what caliber the pistol is; perhaps a .45 or a different old-school, off-the-wall size?

[soulezoo]

Very cool indeed. Thanks for sharing.

[3 AE]

Ahhh, the good old days when dueling with flintlock pistols or swords was an accepted form of maintaining ones honor among gentlemen!

[SteyrAUG]

If you want to find out what it is.

http://tortugatrading.com/

http://jamesdjulia.com/

A couple things "don't look right" to me, but if there's one thing I've learned about old firearms it's that there are always exceptions and lots of "one of" examples known to exist.

[echo5whiskey]

A couple things "don't look right" to me, but if there's one thing I've learned about old firearms it's that there are always exceptions and lots of "one of" examples known to exist.

That's where I'm running into issues. I don't have a "known" with which to compare it.

[echo5whiskey]

Thanks to Steyr and Tortuga Trading Company, I did find out That it's called "box lock flint" not flint lock.

[SteyrAUG]

Thanks to Steyr and Tortuga Trading Company, I did find out That it's called "box lock flint" not flint lock.

Interesting, google image search shows lots of similar designs. Glad I could get you steered towards useful information. The lock mechanism was driving me crazy as most flintlocks are side mounted with a pan. Lots of flints got converted to percussion cap and yours almost looked like somebody went the opposite way but that also didn't make sense.

Box lock flints are obviously new to me.

[echo5whiskey]

Interesting, google image search shows lots of similar designs. Glad I could get you steered towards useful information. The lock mechanism was driving me crazy as most flintlocks are side mounted with a pan. Lots of flints got converted to percussion cap and yours almost looked like somebody went the opposite way but that also didn't make sense.

Box lock flints are obviously new to me.

Honestly, side-mounted pans didn't even occur to me until I looked at that site. :rolleyes:

[SteyrAUG]

Honestly, side-mounted pans didn't even occur to me until I looked at that site. :rolleyes:

Down here I deal with lots of guys with LOTS of income to spend on collections. I've seen some truly amazing stuff including Kentucky rifles in original configuration from the mid to late 18th century that look like they might be 50 year old reproductions if you don't know better.

I've just come to accept that there are more than a few million dollar gun collections. Really brings out the oddball niche collectors. I know a guy who only collects "frontier period" flints and won't even look at anything made past 1799 but he's got more than a 100 period firearms.

There are a couple SAA guys down here both trying to be the next Mel Torme, and both claim to have pieces from his collection.

There is a guy down here with so much third reich firearms, uniforms and related items I just gave up. When you literally have hundreds (plural) of Lugers both military and commercial and from every major country, including US Lugers I just give up. He probably has about 50 variants nobody has ever seen before and nobody has ever written about them.

When you look at showrooms full of guns that are the size of the average house, you just want to cry sometimes.

Anyway, cool piece you got there and probably did very well on the price.

[echo5whiskey]

Must be nice. I wish I had enough "disposable" income to have a multi-thousand dollar collection. Haha. That does make me want to cry. My "collection" consists of that pistol and a M1903.