Antique Muzzleloader - Unknown History - help identify please

[waarp8nt]

My friend picked this one up. It's around 75 caliber. Any info as to original manufacture, date, value or history would be helpful.

184679184680
184681184682
184683184684

[54bore]

I have no idea? But i will be the first to say its a cool looking old pistol!!

[waarp8nt]

I thought so too. I can't tell anything by the proof marks.

[texasnative46]

waarp8nt,

There were literally HUNDREDS of gunsmiths in the USA/Europe, who made quite similar, single-shot, percussion handguns from the late 1820s & early1830s until NOW, so I cannot identify it absent a maker's name/trademark. = NICE handgun, though.

IF it was mine, I would post the photos to the www.muzzleloadingforum.com (http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com) & ask for the identification there.
(That's where the REAL "front-loading" experts mostly hang out.)

yours, satx

[waarp8nt]

waarp8nt,

There were literally HUNDREDS of gunsmiths in the USA/Europe, who made quite similar, single-shot, percussion handguns from the late 1820s & early1830s until NOW, so I cannot identify it absent a maker's name/trademark. = NICE handgun, though.

IF it was mine, I would post the photos to the www.muzzleloadingforum.com (http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com) & ask for the identification there.
(That's where the REAL "front-loading" experts mostly hang out.)

yours, satx

Good news, I registered on that forum over the Christmas break!

I have downloaded a Proof Mark Identification page from the NRA. Its a pretty nifty PDF file and its free. However, I still cannot verify with any certainty the proof mark.

[waarp8nt]

I have been unable to post pictures or links to the pictures on the muzzleloading forum dot com website. So, I cannot get any advice or help from that resource.

I was able to handle the pistol and verify the proof marks, with a magnifying glass, as being Birmingham Proof Marks from the 1813 to the 1855 time period. Some information can be found with the following search "English back action pistol), but the information is limited. With a little more handling and some heavy negotiations the pistol now resides with me at my home. The action spring is weak, the hammer will pull back, hold and release with the trigger being pulled. However, may not have enough power to set off a primer. Anyway, I'm happy to own such a classic firearm.

185111

[bubba.50]

neat lookin' old pistole. be sure to post pix of the first tiger or elephant ya shoot with it. [smilie=1: