Original 18th Century Ottoman Empire Ornate Silver Mounted Miquelet Lock Long Holster Pistol with Silver and Gold Inlays - Circa 1780

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a magnificent OTTOMAN miquelet lock long holster pistol made to follow European lines, clearly having belonged to someone of significance being so well adorned. It is fully silver mounted, with a fantastic long eared butt cap featuring several high relief designs, engraved trigger guard, lock screw escutcheons, and ramrod pipes. The pistol is VERY long, measuring just over 26 inches in overall length, and features a "carbine length 19 1/2" barrel with a bore of about 0.56". We can picture the very well off owner wearing this in his belt, as it would have been a very impressive status symbol, made more for show than for easy of use.

The pistol is also fantastically well adorned, with silver inlay work covering much of the top of the barrel, showing stands of arms and other designs, as well as some Arabic writing. There is also a small round gold inlay towards the center, which looks to have some type of marking on it. The miquelet lock is also partly covered with engraved silver inlay work, with a round gold inlay towards the center. The stock does not show any carved designs, but there is hardly room for any, as it is COVERED from butt to muzzle with silver wire inlay work, showing foliate designs that terminate in gold inlay "flowers". This design covers the ENTIRE stock, save for the inch closest to the muzzle, and must have taken a very long time and high level of artistry to execute.

Often referred to as a Mediterranean Pirate's Pistol this example is way above that. it has a silver fitted ramrod under the barrel, however it is currently stuck in the stock, so it may be ornamental, as often Ottoman pistols were designed for having a ramrod hung around the neck. The miquelet lock is functional, however the half cock stop does not stick out enough to catch the hammer, so it only holds at full cock.

A fantastic offering that is sure to be the showpiece of almost any collection! Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1780
Caliber: .56" pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Overall Length: 26 inches
Barrel Length: 19 1/2 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
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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