A Very Unusual And Large Calibre 19th Century Belt Pistol By Gibbs of Bristol
With front and rear sights and signed along the barrel rib "Gibbs Bristol", fine foliate engraving to the body, trigger guard and buttcap.
The round damascus barrel is Birmingham Proof Marked and is of a large calibre (0.6"). It has a bottom ridge which supports the captive steel ramrod.
What makes this pistol stand apart from the others is the fact that it has a barrel wedge located just in front of the hammer, which enables the barrel and breech block to be removed, very unusual!
This wedge when inserted fully is very tight indeed, so I have pictured it and left it partially removed to make it more apparent and easier to take apart. It will locate fully if pressure is applied.
The buttcap is finely engraved and contains a spring hinged compartment for percussion caps.
The finely hatched walnut one piece grip fits tightly and is in good condition, except for one small chip close to the buttcap.
This pistol also features a sliding safety catch, which is damaged (lug is snapped) and an oval silver (white metal) escutcheon.
Founded in Bristol in the 1830's the George Gibbs gunmaking firm is still operating today (although no longer in Bristol).
From it's styling I would say that this is an earlier piece, dating to the 1830's -1840's.
A very interesting and unusual piece.
Barrel length 10cm, overall length 22.5cm.
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
