Pistol ID and Value

coinman123 · Dec 23, 2018

Thinking of buying this pistol, according to the seller it was converted to percussion cap and dates from the 1700's, but what do you think? It looks to me like the lock may have been replaced rather than converted. How much would be a reasonable price for it too. Thanks!

Retired Sarge · Dec 23, 2018

Don't know enough about guns this old, that said. I agree looks like the lock was replaced due to the poor fit. Poor fitting and alignment of the ram rod guides brings up concerns. The way the wood is worn or distress around the lock is weird. Gun could be real, could be a souvenir gun (Lot of them made in Turkey, Spain), or could be a Khyber Pass gun. More pictures, clear shots of any markings, clear shots of where metal parts meet the wood, where metal meets metal. I'm always ready and willing to be proved wrong, and honestly hope I am wrong here. As a weapons collector I know, in hand helps a lot, knowledge, and doing your homework prevents you from being burn.

Couple questions: Any markings on the lock? Any markings on the barrel? Any markings on the wood?

I've got a British P1853 Enfield rifle made in 1863 (Snider Mk II** conversion) that doesn't show near that much wear on the stock. This rifle is an Afghanistan (GWOT) bringback that had a long hard life.

Charlie P. (NY) · Dec 23, 2018

$40?

The lock does look like it was percussion from the get-go (post 1822). Definitely not original to the gun. The missing bolts would have held the original lock on. Whether flint or percussion I can't tell. I'd have to see the nipple arrangement to see if the barrel was originally flint.

Could be like my Gr-gr-gr-granpappy's axe that has been handed down for centuries. Handle replaced three times and the head twice; but it is a treasured family heirloom.

coinman123 · Dec 23, 2018

Charlie P. (NY) said:
$40?

The lock does look like it was percussion from the get-go (post 1822). Definitely not original to the gun. The missing bolts would have held the original lock on. Whether flint or percussion I can't tell. I'd have to see the nipple arrangement to see if the barrel was originally flint.

Could be like my Gr-gr-gr-granpappy's axe that has been handed down for centuries. Handle replaced three times and the head twice; but it is a treasured family heirloom.

I should probably pass at $300 than in that case, right? I've been looking for a nice early pistol for some time to display with my musket I have hanging on the wall, but maybe I should wait a little longer then. Thanks!

Retired Sarge · Dec 23, 2018

Khyber pass guns explained.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khyber_Pass_copy

Red James Cash · Dec 23, 2018

Pass it up,replaced parts kill any value.Unless of course there is some historical provenance to go with it.

Retired Sarge · Dec 23, 2018

coinman123 said:
I should probably pass at $300 than in that case, right? I've been looking for a nice early pistol for some time to display with my musket I have hanging on the wall, but maybe I should wait a little longer then. Thanks!

There are some web sites that sell real ones, if you would like I can look them up (Saved as favorites on my PC) and send them to you via PM.

Also don't take our word and walk away, check the gun out for markings. Get some clearer pics, report back and see what the consensus is. A little research might prove it legit, and also give you a realistic price range for it, based on its condition. Which will give you bargaining power if priced too high.

Tony in SC · Dec 23, 2018

Pass! This piece has a lot of issues.

NOLA_Ken · Dec 24, 2018

Looks like a parts gun someone cobbled together, and not very well either. The buttcap, trigger guard and barrel might belong on that stock and may have some age, but personally from what I see in the pics, unless it was just dirt cheap I would pass.

releventchair · Dec 24, 2018

coinman123 said:
Thinking of buying this pistol, according to the seller it was converted to percussion cap and dates from the 1700's, but what do you think? It looks to me like the lock may have been replaced rather than converted. How much would be a reasonable price for it too. Thanks!

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That is a groaner....
When a seller does not know what it is ,or the builder....How do they determine a price?
The whole is the sum of it's parts.
So far , I don't see any usable parts beyond decoration.

Along a more annoying line ,the brass lock plate shows it is missing two screws. Those two screws purpose is to pass through the stock and through the locks plate to secure it.
Now looking at the lock side...The plate shows screw ends in place as if screws passed through the brass plate .......

Anyways ,it's a mess.
As a wall hanger twenty bucks maybe , but a functional one of known type and or maker appeals more to me.

For three hundred I'd expect to be able to buy at least a couple three usable common pieces.
Been a couple decades since the last one, but I have not paid over 60 for a blackpowder single shot pistol.

Red James Cash · Dec 24, 2018

300 buck,it should be in fireable condition,for your basic no frills pistol.

Tnmountains · Dec 24, 2018

If it was 1700's it would have to be a conversion. I think to much is missing with the brass and screws. I would pass. To many good examples out there cheap. I would go for a flint lock as the mechanism is a lot more interesting in a wall hanger. You can actually convert a percussion back to a flint with the right smith.
Good luck and merry Christmas.

Oddjob · Dec 24, 2018

Nothing historical, parts weapon at best.

10 bucks.

Joe-Dirt · Dec 24, 2018

If it’s Afgany, I would pass for sure. Like the others said lock bolts missing, ramrod missing, lock mortise messed up , lock replaced, it’s a parts gun at best.