Mid 19th Century English Percussion Cap Muff Or Pocket Pistol In A Small Mahogany Jewellery Box Partitioned For The Pistol & Accessories
Pocket or Muff pistol of small proportions, the body of which is finely engraved and signed on one side "Clark Cambridge". It features a drop down trigger and a top sliding safety catch.
The one piece walnut grip is finely hatched and is styled and shaped as they were on the Continent.
The short round barrel unscrews cleanly, is engraved at the muzzle, carries Birmingham Proof Marks and retains most of its original bluing.
The steelwork overall is in great condition with very little signs of corrosion.
The mainspring is strong and the action is crisp in both half and full position with the hidden trigger operating as it should.
The safety catch also operates, but it is quite stiff and troublesome to release.
The top tang screw holding the grip does look like a new replacement, but the grip is held tightly in place.
The mahogany case (which does have a working lock and key) is blue lined and has a removable top tray and it is beneath this that the partitioned pistol section is revealed.
There are 5 compartments containing;
- The pistol itself
- A small Treen box for percussion caps
- Lead shot and wadding
- A good but modern powder flask poorly stamped Sykes
- A neat little mother of pearl handled turnscrew that I believe used to be a small item of cutlery? Very ingenious.
With the top tray in place the fit is quite tight which means that the lock sort of half locks, but means that the key cannot be removed.
I have found reference to Charles Clark who operated from Cambridge in 1839.
A lovely little pistol in great condition all packaged up in a mother of pearl inlaid mahogany case.
Barrel length 4cm, Overall length 12.5cm, Case 20cm x 12.5cm x 7.5cm.
This antique pistol is considered obsolete and non functioning, and is sold as a collectable ornamental item. This product is available for purchase in the UK without a license
