Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a very interesting late 17th century German all metal flintlock pistol, unmarked but closely resembling examples associated with the Cloeter family of Mannheim in overall construction and detail. Dating to approximately 1690, it features an unusual exposed lock mechanism, a two stage 11 5/8" barrel of approximately .59 caliber, and a solid iron body with flared butt.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The pistol measures approximately 18 1/2" overall and is fitted with an 11 5/8" barrel of approximately .59 caliber. The barrel begins with an octagonal breech section, transitions to sixteen sided construction, passes through a deeply turned decorative band, and then becomes round toward the muzzle.

The barrel is joined to a solid iron butt section, giving the pistol its distinctive all metal construction. The flared butt is fitted with a screwed on rounded cap, with the joint between the cap and body neatly pierced and shaped.

The lock mechanism is mounted externally on both sides of the pistol body. The left side carries the mainspring, sear, and sear spring, while the tumbler pin passes through the body to engage the serpentine flint cock on the right. The right side also carries a rounded pan, unbridled friction frizzen, and an unusually shaped frizzen spring.

The plain steel trigger guard is screw mounted, while the turned steel ramrod is retained beneath the barrel by two small steel pipes. Decoration is restrained but well executed, consisting of filed triangular ornament at the breech with punched dots at the triangle points, together with simple scroll decoration on the face of the cock.

Condition is very good overall, with a bright steel patina and evidence of light old oxidation and repeated cleaning over the years. The bore shows light past pitting and oxidation, while the exterior metal remains quite presentable for a firearm of this age.

The flintlock action functions in its present condition, although the pistol will release from half cock if the trigger is pulled firmly, indicating wear to the tumbler, sear, or both. The frizzen remains under good spring tension and holds properly in both the forward and rear positions. These observations describe only the current mechanical state of the pistol and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

With its all metal construction, exposed bilateral lock mechanism, multi-stage barrel, flared iron butt, restrained filed decoration, and strong late 17th century German character, this is a particularly distinctive early flintlock pistol. The lack of a maker marking, tentative Cloeter family stylistic attribution, worn half cock engagement, repeated old cleaning, and light bore pitting are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in an early European firearms, German flintlock, Mannheim gunmaking, all metal pistol, or advanced 17th century arms collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1690
Caliber: .59 inches (pistol)
Ammunition Type:  Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 11 5/8 inches
Overall Length: 18 1/2 inches
Action: Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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 most 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.