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ID #SA1187585
FOR SALE
£1,250
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Rare Small French Flintlock 40-Bore Travelling / Muff Pistol, Mid-18th Century, Silver Wire Inlay.
For sale by Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
for sale €1,463     $1,588
£1,250
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2020
Browse dealers 98 items
  • About Us
    We specialise in flintlock pistols, muskets, clocks & watches
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Id #SA1187585
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Rare Small French Flintlock 40-Bore Travelling / Muff Pistol, Mid-18th Century, Silver Wire Inlay.

18th century
Description

A particularly small and finely made French flintlock travelling pistol of approximately 40 bore, dating from the mid-18th century, produced for discreet civilian use.

The pistol is fitted with a very short two-stage barrel measuring just 8 cm, the breech part octagonal and retaining faint traces of original punched and gilt decoration. It has a plain tang and a border-engraved flintlock decorated with refined foliate scrollwork to the tail, with the cock engraved en suite, characteristic of quality French workmanship of the period.

The moulded full stock is of figured wood, carved with foliate ornament behind the barrel tang and further enhanced with delicate silver wire scrollwork and waved border inlay to the butt. The steel mounts are all original, border engraved and decorated with rocaille and foliate motifs, including a distinctive spurred pommel with a sun-in-splendour motif to the cap. The steel ramrod is a later replacement, as commonly encountered.

Condition is good for age, with honest old wear, minor old stock damage, and light surface patination throughout. The unusually small size makes this a scarce and highly attractive example of a true French travelling or muff pistol from the Rococo period.

Action: Working but weak & on half-cock only.

Origin: France

Date: Circa 1740–1765

Barrel length: 8.0 cm

Overall length: 18 cm

Declaration

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria has dated this French Flintlock Muff Pistol to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1187585
Dealers Internal Reference
122/5-1
Dealers Notes

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria, Portobello Road

WE are open every Saturday between 9.30 - 3.30pm in Chelsea Galleries 67 Portobello Road London.

We are at the front of the gallery, on the 1st aisle.

Web page:-

https://peterharrisclocks.com/welcome/

Description
A particularly small and finely made French flintlock travelling pistol of approximately 40 bore, dating from the mid-18th century, produced for discreet civilian use.
“
The pistol is fitted with a very short two-stage barrel measuring just 8 cm, the breech part octagonal and retaining faint traces of original punched and gilt decoration.
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria

It has a plain tang and a border-engraved flintlock decorated with refined foliate scrollwork to the tail, with the cock engraved en suite, characteristic of quality French workmanship of the period.

fig 1. A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism.
fig 1. Rare Small French Flintlock 40-Bore Travelling / Muff Pistol, Mid-18th Century, Silver Wire Inlay.

The moulded full stock is of figured wood, carved with foliate ornament behind the barrel tang and further enhanced with delicate silver wire scrollwork and waved border inlay to the butt. The steel mounts are all original, border engraved and decorated with rocaille and foliate motifs, including a distinctive spurred pommel with a sun-in-splendour motif to the cap. The steel ramrod is a later replacement, as commonly encountered.

fig 2. A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism.
fig 2. Rare Small French Flintlock 40-Bore Travelling / Muff Pistol, Mid-18th Century, Silver Wire Inlay.

Condition is good for age, with honest old wear, minor old stock damage, and light surface patination throughout. The unusually small size makes this a scarce and highly attractive example of a true French travelling or muff pistol from the Rococo period.

Action: Working but weak & on half-cock only.

Origin: France

Date: Circa 1740–1765

Barrel length: 8.0 cm

Overall length: 18 cm

Date of Manufacture

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria has dated this French Flintlock Muff Pistol to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1187585
Dealers Internal Ref
122/5-1
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2020

We specialise in flintlock pistols, muskets, clocks & watches

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria Profile Page

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A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism.
1 / 12
Archive I A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism.

Rare Small French Flintlock 40-Bore Travelling / Muff Pistol, Mid-18th Century, Silver Wire Inlay.

Archive II A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism. View II
Archive III A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism. View III
Archive IV A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism. View IV
Archive V A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism. View V
Archive VI A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism. View VI
Archive VII A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism. View VII
Archive VIII A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism. View VIII
Archive IX A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism. View IX
Archive X A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism. View X
Archive XI A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism. View XI
Archive XII A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Telephone 07930 536818
Location
London
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/peterharrisclocks
Verified Since Nov 2020
Items For Sale 98
Items Sold 112
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Verified Since Nov 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: London, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/peterharrisclocks
Verified
Nov 2020
For Sale
98
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112
A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism.
Rare Small French Flintlock 40-Bore Travelling / Muff Pistol, Mid-18th Century, Silver wire inlay.
Ref: SA1187585
A small mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol with a dark walnut stock featuring silver wire scroll inlay and an engraved steel lock mechanism.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectFlintlock Pistol
  • Period18th century
  • StyleFrench Rococo
  • MaterialWalnut, Steel, Silver, Flint
  • ColourDark Brown, Silver
  • MotifsSilver wire inlay, Engraved steel lockplate, Flintlock mechanism, Curved walnut grip

This mid-18th century French flintlock muff pistol is a small Rococo style civilian travelling arm originating from France. The piece is formed from a dark brown figured walnut stock with polished steel mounts and silver wire scroll inlay, complemented by an engraved steel lockplate and a fitted flintlock mechanism holding a piece of flint. Visible details include a curved grip, intricate scrollwork engravings along the metal action, delicate silver wire patterns winding across the wooden handle, and visible signs of age including light surface patination and honest old wear. The overall length measures 18 cm with an 8 cm barrel. It serves as a historic display item for placement on a gentleman's library bookshelf or within a private study interior. Designed for discreet personal protection during the period, the firearm displays quality workmanship with a short two-stage barrel and a distinctive spurred pommel at the base of the grip. The mechanism remains on half-cock with a working yet weak action, while the steel ramrod is a later replacement. The miniature scale and detailed decorative elements reflect the refined firearm design of the era. Collectors place such pieces within enclosed display cabinets or upon dedicated desk stands to highlight the craftsmanship of the period without active handling in domestic spaces.

FAQs

A muff pistol is a small, compact firearm introduced in the eighteenth century, designed to fit inside a pocket or a fur hand-muff for personal defence while travelling.

These firearms were typically constructed using dense hardwoods such as walnut for the stock, combined with hand-forged steel or iron lock mechanisms and barrels, often decorated with inlaid silver wire or engraved details.

Authentic pieces exhibit hand-engraved metal components, period-accurate lock mechanisms, historical proof marks on the barrel, and evidence of hand-carved wood integration with flush metal wire inlay.

Pistols of this scale are usually housed in custom glazed display cases or mounted on felt-lined stands positioned within glazed cabinets or library shelving.

Preservation requires a climate-controlled environment to prevent rust and wood movement, combined with periodic application of microcrystalline wax to protect metal surfaces and timber from humidity.
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