Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely Italian Overcoat pistol from the very early 19th century, made with a traditional MIQUELET lock, a predecessor / alternative to the standard flint lock design in use throughout most of Europe. All brass fitted, it is quite well decorated, with engraved or embossed designs on most of the fittings, and it has a beautiful flame figured wood stock. The barrel is held in place with a tang screw and pins through the stock.

Measuring about 9 inches in overall length, the two stage barrel is 4 3/4 inches long and octagonal at the breech, with a bore of about .48 of an inch. There are some lovely engraved designs close to the front of the first stage of the barrel, and some engraving on the tang as well. There are no markings that we can see on the pistol, which is not uncommon for this era.

The pistol comes complete with an iron ramrod, and in very nice condition overall. The brass fittings have a lovely mellow patina, while the lock and barrel show a lovely polished steel patina, with just a bit of past staining visible. The stock is lovely, showing some great figuring that really flip-flops in the light. The miquelet lock has a functional half cock position, which is linked to the trigger. The lock fires from full cock.

A very nice example of an obsolete firing system, still in use into the 19th century. Ready to display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: c. 1800
Caliber: approx. .48" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Overall Length: 9 inches
Barrel Length: 4 3/4 inches
Action: Miquelet 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. Later they were seen in percussion form, either as originally produced, or converted.

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 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.