Mid 19th Century Spanish Percussion Cap Officers Pistol Signed "Por Pedro Aranguren de Hernandez en Eibar de 1846"
At 0.67" calibre and fitted with a lanyard ring, I believe this to be an Officers Pistol.
The inscription (which is written in flowing script) and scrolling decoration on the barrel is set in silver (white metal), but because the barrel itself has a clean steel finish, it is unfortunately nearly invisible unless viewed from an angle.
The barrel itself is 6" in length, octagonal in form and held in place by a barrel wedge with brass surrounds.
The lock is of the back action type and has clear foliate engraving, as does the hammer which is finished with the head of a lion.
The trigger guard and buttcap also carry the foliate engraving and all steel fittings are visually free from corrosion.
The walnut stock is also in good condition with one old split on the right forestock and only a few bruises.
The bird beak grip is finely hatched and fits very comfortably in the hand.
The mainspring is strong and the action is nice and crisp in both half and full position.
The all steel ramrod fits nicely and is equipped with a screw thread on the tip for cleaning attachments.
Pedro Aranguren seems to have been a well known Spanish Gunmaker with a date range between 1835 and 1854 (from my reference material), but I have found other examples on the internet with engraved dates before and after that date range, strange!
The inscription seems to read "By Pedro Aranguren for Hernandez of Eibar for 1846;
Hernandez is definitely a Spanish surname, so was he the customer? It does sound like it.
A very attractive pistol with beautifully inscribed information on the barrel.
Barrel length 15.5cm, Overall length 31.5cm.
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
