Id help on colonial plantation relics. Mini gun, buckle?

[Gregg3131]

Found these at a 1700s plantation. Any info on the items. Coin for size. Did they actually make guns this small that shot bullets although I am guessing it's a cast iron toy? Any info would be appreciated. Is the other a buckle or horse related? Thx

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Definitely a toy, but wow is it a cool one! I've seen some pretty small muzzle loaders, but none quire that small, look up "muff pistols" a lot of those were pretty small

 

[BosnMate]

The gun is probably a toy, I can't tell for sure from the picture, but an educated guess says toy all over it. The other item is a "Lynch" pin. Used to attach farm equipment to the three point hitch on a tractor.

 

[Rustynailsandscrews]

I think you have a real gun there. I have personally held and shot muzzle loading boot pistols that I can cover with the palm of my hand and fingers and I have small hands. These pistols were single shot and small caliber typically .25 to .32 with no accuracy beyond 5 feet. Most often they had no sights and were a point and shoot weapon at point blank range. Just think of pointing your finger and pulling the trigger. They were favorites of old time gamblers. Think of sitting at a card table and playing poker and getting caught cheating. They were easily concealable and yours still has the keeper on it which allowed it to be attached to a belt or worn at the top of a boot or even up a shirt sleeve. At their very limited range they could be very deadly. I have shot them at 5 feet and I can tell you that a center of chest or head shot would more then likely be fatal . Because the pistol is so small and light the recoil in your hand is impressive. You have a nice find there and maybe some electrolysis can clean it up for display but don't ever attempt to shoot it because it's too far gone to be safe. Who knows, maybe this pistol shot Lincoln.

 

[ARC]

Agreed... I also think that you have found a real pistol...

Well done... AND... this is a...

BANNER imo.

 

[ARC]

Also...

These were as small as this...