A VERY BAD DAY FOR ONE IS A GREAT DAY FOR ME! BOOT PISTOL, RECOVERED!

[muddpuppy]

Hi friends. Let me start by saying that the information on this site is a treasure in itself. Because so many take the time to post and then so many choose to share their knowledge, I was able to identify this artifact in minutes. I enjoy sharing my passion with others that have the same enthusiasm.

When I first saw the artifact I assumed it was a toy cannon. My buddy Mr. T thought it required further investigation and now I have a BOOT PISTOL. I found this in the same area as a 58 Flying Eagle and a 65 Indian.

Some of the examples found also showed exploded barrels. I could not find any makers marks although there are some engraved lines.

Keep Swinging!

Other post with the same or similar boot pistols.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/today-s-finds/241499-1800-s-boot-pistol.html

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/t...hink-i-m-finally-getting-hang-cornfields.html

Item:8663664 Belgian Blackpowder Boot Pistol For Sale at GunAuction.com

Item:8663664 Belgian Blackpowder Boot Pistol For Sale at GunAuction.com

 

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[DocBeav]

That is cool man! Congrats!

 

[kuger]

Very cool.Those little guys were very popular,I beleive they were fairly inexpensive,and yes,prone to mis-haps.I have seen several,most of which appeared to likely have caused very dramatic injuries if not fatal....the thing about those is they were for one thing...killing people,whether in self defense or malice...as ya said...bad day for the shooter!!!!!

 

[pepperj]

Very cool find, looks like a case of a tad too much powder.

 

[kuger]

Very cool find, looks like a case of a tad too much powder.

....likely a bore plug.......

 

[wildcarrot]

Talk about learning stuff on this site, I've never heard of a boot pistol, way cool find!
Can you give any details or history about the area your working?

 

[kuger]

Talk about learning stuff on this site, I've never heard of a boot pistol, way cool find!
Can you give any details or history about the area your working?

.......they were also sometimes called Muff pistols.Small so that a lady could conceal one in her hand muffs

 

[muddpuppy]

Well, there is no history, not yet. The field I was looking at showed a building on a 1940s map. It was not on the 1875 map. But the strange thing is all the coins, so far, are two 65 Indians and a 58 flying eagle. It seems it has to have been there in 1875. It is in corn stubble and a bit difficult to search. Keep Swinging!

Talk about learning stuff on this site, I've never heard of a boot pistol, way cool find!
Can you give any details or history about the area your working?

 

[TNGUNS]

kuger is on the mark in my opinion. Too heavy a charge usually would just result in a bigger flash and smoke as most of the powder would just blow out. Double charge or bore obstruction. Could be a flaw in the barrel though. Way cool find no matter the cause.

 

[BosnMate]

Probably loaded with two balls, either on purpose or by accident, and there was a gap between the balls. Those little muff pistols weren't very powerful,
and would be difficult to blow up, except for something plugging the bore.

 

[gimper]

over the years ive found 2 of these. Posted them under "had these for a while" But neither one had exploded misfired or whatever. that ones i found looked very similar to yours. both were still loaded and all that was left were the barrels . Was told they were Liege Belgian boot pistols by fellow members. I would hate to have been the poor guy that pulled that trigger, It had to HURT. They probably called him 3 finger whatever from then on. LOL

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[JimmeyC]

Nice find mudpuppy. I've also found a very similar Belgium made barrel. Mine looks like it just came apart due to wear.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Well, there is no history, not yet. The field I was looking at showed a building on a 1940s map. It was not on the 1875 map. But the strange thing is all the coins, so far, are two 65 Indians and a 58 flying eagle. It seems it has to have been there in 1875. It is in corn stubble and a bit difficult to search. Keep Swinging!

Not necessarily, unless your coins date around or after 1875. What was a good place in 1940 for a house was a good place in 1850 for a house it seems.

GREAT find on the boot pistol. I have always wanted one of the octagonal barrel types.