Mid 18th Century 0.75" Calibre Continental Flintlock Holster Pistol With Carved Walnut Stock And Brass Furniture
Although the fluted to round barrel and lockplate are engraved with the name "Lazaro Lazarino" this is not a piece made by the Italian maker, he had long since passed away by the time this pistol was made around the mid 1700's, and the stock and trigger guard are very French in their styling.
I believe what we have here is a case of clever marketing from the mid 18th Century! Still a quality firearm, just not from the stable that it reputes to be from.
The metalwork is in very nice condition with no signs of corrosion on the steelwork, just a mottled aged patina and the brasswork has a lovely mellow, unpolished colouration.
The mainspring is strong and the action is good in half and full position, with the frizen spring also being strong. The walnut stock is carved around the ramrod pipe, trigger guard, lock, sideplate and barrel tang and it has a lovely dark colour to it.
Unfortunately this piece has seen some action in its time as the stock has a split at the forend, a chip in the carved moulding beneath the frizen spring, another small split between the barrel and sideplate and a couple of repaired cracks and a few chips around the buttcap.
Because all of the above look to have happened in antiquity, I believe that it doesn't detract from the beauty of this early flintlock pistol, which has a lovely tactile feel to it.
Barrel length 24.5cm, Overall length 40.5cm.
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
