Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
That makes it quite possible that it is a maker's name, workshop name, or possibly a place/name rendered in a local form, rather than a standard European gunmaker's signature.
The pistol has a substantial hand-forged .630-inch (approximately 18-bore) barrel, 9 inches in length, with a pronounced heavy/swamped profile and extensive engraved foliate decoration to the top and breech flats. The barrel exhibits the characteristic robust construction associated with Balkan arms of the period.
The engraved flintlock is of distinctive Balkan/Albanian form, decorated with scrolling foliage and engraved ornament. The full walnut stock has the characteristic strongly curved Balkan pistol butt and is fitted with extensively engraved steel furniture, including the long decorative side-plate and butt fittings, together with a brass trigger guard and decorative brass furniture to the underside.
The combination of the large 18-bore calibre, heavily forged and decorated barrel, characteristic stock form and elaborate engraved furniture is consistent with Albanian/Balkan manufacture, possibly from one of the principal Ottoman-period arms-making centres.
Overall length approximately 14 inches, barrel approximately 9 inches.
Condition:
Good antique condition commensurate with age and use. Attractive aged patina and wear to the stock and metalwork, with areas of surface oxidation/pitting. Engraving remains quite well defined. Some old wear and minor losses/alterations consistent with an antique firearm of this age. The action which is in working order, should be professionally assessed before any attempt.
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
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Early 19th-century Albanian Balkan Flintlock Holster Pistol, 18-Bore with Possibly the Name “Spilloin” or Similar Engraved on the Lock.
