{"product_id":"original-1736-miniature-silver-mounted-over-under-flintlock-pocket-pistols-by-claude-niquet-a-liege-same-style-used-by-bonnie-prince-charlie-featured-on-the-cache-with-alex-cranmer","title":"Original 1736 Miniature Silver Mounted Over Under Flintlock Pocket Pistols by Claude Niquet à Liège - Same Style Used by Bonnie Prince Charlie - Featured on The Cache with Alex Cranmer","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Pair Available. This is an extraordinary matched pair of miniature over\/under flintlock pocket pistols by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClaude Niquet of Liège\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, dating to circa \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1736\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. These are the same distinctive style of miniature double barrel turn-off pistols associated with examples used by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCharles Edward Stuart, “Bonnie Prince Charlie,”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e although this pair has no direct provenance or attribution to him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe pistols were recently featured and test fired on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Cache with Alex Cranmer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e which can be seen below:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XLA65ocksn4?si=8kvorFP3pWNfp-O5\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" style=\"display: block; width: 560px !important; height: 315px !important; max-width: 100% !important; border: 0;\"\u003e\n  \u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach pistol is approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.24 caliber\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and fitted with a pair of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1 5\/8 inch tapered, multi-stage cannon muzzle barrels\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e arranged over and under. The steel barrels screw directly into the breech and can still be removed by hand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe pistols use compact turn-off flintlock actions with flat faceted swan neck cocks, fenced faceted flash pans, and separate double triggers without triggerguards.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeneath the pans, each pistol is signed:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCLAUDE NIQUET\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA LIEGE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClaude Niquet is listed as a gunmaker working in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLiège circa 1736\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, placing these pistols firmly within the early Georgian period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe pistols are especially attractive because of their combination of steel frames and elaborately worked \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003esilver grip panels\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMuch of the frame and grip surface is decorated with flowing foliate scroll engraving, accompanied by geometric and floral border work. The grip motifs terminate in highly stylized \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003edragon or sea serpent heads\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, while the backstraps are engraved with striking demonic faces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cocks are engraved with matching geometric and feathered borders, continuing the decorative treatment found around the pans and lower portions of the frames.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition is very good considering their nearly three centuries of age. The steel has developed a dull gray patina with scattered surface oxidation and discoloration. The engraving and maker markings remain relatively crisp and clear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth pistols remain fully functional, with tight actions and strong springs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe bores are heavily oxidized and moderately pitted, while all four barrels can still be unscrewed by hand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth pistols show some minor metal loss around the butts, together with small gaps between the frames and silver grip panels. There are also scattered dings, mars, and handling wear throughout.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe “Bonnie Prince Charlie” Connection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCharles Edward Stuart, better known as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Bonnie Prince Charlie,”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was born in Rome in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1720\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e into the exiled Stuart royal family. He became the central figure in the final major attempt to restore the Stuarts to the British throne.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePistols of this same miniature, silver mounted, over\/under turn-off style are associated with Charles Edward Stuart and help illustrate the type of finely made personal firearm fashionable among wealthy and aristocratic owners during the first half of the 18th century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis pair was made circa \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1736\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, when Charles was still a young man living on the Continent, and is therefore contemporary with the world in which he was raised.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1745\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Charles landed in western Scotland and launched the famous Jacobite Rising. His army achieved an early victory at the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBattle of Prestonpans\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, advanced deep into England, and later won again at \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFalkirk Muir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe campaign ended with the decisive Jacobite defeat at the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBattle of Culloden in April 1746\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, effectively ending any realistic possibility of restoring the Stuart dynasty.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCharles subsequently spent months evading government forces in the Scottish Highlands before escaping to continental Europe. His rebellion, defeat, and dramatic escape helped transform him into one of the most romanticized figures in Scottish history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe spent most of the remainder of his life in Europe, principally in Italy, and died in 1788.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eno claim that this pair was owned, carried, or presented to Bonnie Prince Charlie\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The historical connection is simply that they are the same highly distinctive style of miniature flintlock pistols associated with examples used by him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEven without any personal attribution, this pair is exceptional. Their miniature proportions, silver mounted grips, over\/under turn-off barrels, elaborate engraving, clear \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCLAUDE NIQUET \/ A LIEGE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e signatures, circa 1736 date, strong mechanical condition, and appearance on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Cache with Alex Cranmer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e make them a remarkable survival from the first half of the 18th century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications (both):\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaker: Claude Niquet, Liège\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate: Circa 1736\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: Approximately .24 Inch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Configuration: Over\/Under Double Barrel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 1 5\/8 Inches Each\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction: Flintlock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Type: Screw-Off \/ Turn-Off Cannon Muzzle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTriggers: Double, Without Triggerguards\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrame: Steel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrip Panels: Silver\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46212974444613,"sku":"ONAC26B043","price":9995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC26B043__1A_4da2df5f-e2ba-43ff-afd0-2af90048dc48.jpg?v=1793416705","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-1736-miniature-silver-mounted-over-under-flintlock-pocket-pistols-by-claude-niquet-a-liege-same-style-used-by-bonnie-prince-charlie-featured-on-the-cache-with-alex-cranmer","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}