Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice OTTOMAN Empire Turkish miquelet flintlock pistol, most likely made circa 1850. The lock definitely appears to pre-date that, probably originating from the mid 1700s, and probably from a musket based on the size. The pistol definitely has some interesting characteristics that we don't usually see, such as the rectangular bottom of the butt, as well as the white metal stud attached to it.

The pistol follows the typical Ottoman style, with no provision for a ramrod, which was kept on a strap around the neck. It has some lovely silver wire inlay on the bottom of the fore stock, around the barrel tang, and on the rear wrist of the stock. There also is silver inlay on the hammer of the lock and on the lock plate, as well as traces of silvering on the barrel. The lock is currently very difficult to cock, and looks to have seen long service during it's 200+ year long life.

Most unusual, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1850 with earlier lock
Caliber: approx. .63" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Overall Length: 17 1/4 inches
Barrel Length: 11 1/4 inches
Action: Miquelet Flint Lock
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.

NOTE: 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.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.