Original Item: One of a Kind. This is just in great condition, showing very very little use. The 7" octagonal barrel becomes round toward the muzzle bears the Maker's Cartouche on the breech, which appears to read :- AL / BFR / DY is also signed in silver inlay script on the barrel. We have not been able to locate this maker, but there were many during the time. The writing is unfortunately very hard to make out, but seems to say:

Eibar was a prominent Gun making center in Spain during the 19th century and prior, indicating this was made for a specific person or maker.

The pistol has lightly engraved iron mounts, the most impressive of which is the side plate, depicting a a snake like Sea Serpent devouring the forward lock bolt head. The grip is checkered and still very crisp, and the lock is clearly engraved En Eibar. The percussion hammer depicts a lion or griffin type monster, whose mouth falls upon the cap nipple. Comes Complete with its all iron ramrod in lovely condition.

A great pistol with research potential, fully cleaned and ready to display!

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.

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: 1842
Caliber: approx. .69" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Overall Length: 12 1/2 inches
Barrel Length: 7 inches
Action: Miquelet Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.

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. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". 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.