Original Ottoman Empire 1830 Tbilisi Caucasian Miquelet Pistol with Silver and Niello Details
Item Description
Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a superb Ottoman Empire flintlock .65 caliber pistol done in the Eastern style, ca 1830 to 1840. European-style 14" barrel mounted in cast and chased silver stock with gilt mounts and superb copper alloy (niello) detailed decorative work. Features a miquelet lock which was favored in the East and has an Eastern marked barrel. The lock functions well and holds both on half cock and full cock.
A very similar example is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Arms and Armor collection which can be seen at this link:- Miquelet Pistol.
This pistol was recently featured on an episode of History Channel's Pawn Stars watch below!
Geography: Tbilisi
Culture: Caucasian, Tbilisi, Georgia, or Dagestan
Medium: Steel, wood, silver, copper alloy (niello)
Specifications-
Approximate Year of Manufacture: 1830
Caliber: .65"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 14 Inches
Overall Length: 19.5 Inches
Action type: 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.
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This product is not available for shipping in US state(s)
New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
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.
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