19th Century Kentucky/Pennsylvania Pistol By W Gilbert, Rochester, NY.
An unusual and scare half stocked Kentucky Pistol of enormous proportions with a Mule Ear (also known as a side-slapper) percussion cap lock.
The heavy octagonal barrel has a dovetail foresight and is signed along the top flat W Gilbert Rochester NY. I have found only little information on W. Gilbert. There is an entry for a W. Gilbert Mule Ear Pill Lock Kentucky Rifle in 1837.
The stock is of beautiful tiger stripe maple and the buttcap, trigger guard, side plate and forend cap are undecorated steel.
The all wooden ramrod looks like oak.
The mainspring is strong and the action in full position is crisp. There is no half position on this lock.
The metalwork has some age related discolouration and there is a repaired crack running through the butt and just in front of the lock.
A very handsome and scarce piece.
Barrel length 35cm, overall length 49cm.
This antique pistol is considered obsolete and non functioning, and is sold as a collectable item. This product is available for purchase in the UK without a license
