Late 18th, Early 19th Century Ornate Brass Covered Miquelet Lock Rat Tail Pistol

A very handsome piece completely covered in engraved brass panels with a long decorated steel barrel with two barrel bands, a "rat tail" type grip and a miquelet lock.

The steelwork both on the lock and the barrel have pitting in most places, but due to the locks rugged construction the mainspring feels smooth and strong.

Unfortunately due to wear on the studs for half and full position the cock will not hold in place.

The brasswork is decorated across its entirety and has a nice aged patina.

There is no trigger guard, which is unusual in this style of pistol and it may simply be missing, however, the patina and engraving is even and unbroken around this area, which leaves me thinking, was it removed early on it its life, or did it simply never have one?

Overall the stunning decoration more than makes up for the condition of the steelwork on this attractive piece.

Rat tail pistols were a style that originated in the Balkans, primarily Albania, Macedonia and Greece and unlike other styles of the Ottoman Empire they are feature the Miquelet lock, are heavily or all "metaled" and commonly have a removable ramrod (as this one does).

Barrel length 34cm, Overall length 52.5cm.

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