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Early 1800’s Spanish Form Miquelet Lock Blunderbuss Belt Pistol Marked ‘ARI MA FMR’. Sn 22284 - 22284 Miquelet lock is a modern term used by collectors and curators, largely in the English-speaking world, for a type of firing mechanism used in muskets and pistols. It is a distinctive form of snaplock, originally as a flint-against-steel ignition form, once prevalent in Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Balkans, North Africa, the Ottoman Empire and throughout Spain's colonies from the late 16th to the mid 19th Centuries. The miquelet may have come to the attention of arms makers in Istanbul & North Africa via long-established trade routes from Italian city-states through the port of Ragusa (Dubrovnik) to provinces on the Balkan Peninsula. Other avenues were probably provided by booty from corsair raids and/or from the many Ottoman-Euro conflicts of the period. This is a Miquelet lock percussion blunderbuss belt pistol in Spanish form made sometime in the early 19th Century. It is 14” overall length with an 8” 2 stage round to octagonal barrel which has tooled wedding bands at transition. Its flared muzzle diameter is approx. 1”. Its smooth bore is clean. The barrel also has Fluer-de-lis, cross, crown, and "ARI / MA / FMR" marked over the breech. Its Spanish Miquelet style lock decorated with geometrics. The cock is fitted with flint and the action works as it should. The original Walnut full stock furniture has just bumps and bruises to be expected. The stock is fitted with iron belt bar which has tooled decoration. The pistol has brass fittings consisting of brass fore end cap and trigger guard. It has an iron grip back strap incorporating rounded butt cap. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an antique Miquelet lock percussion pistol no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 22284
£495.00
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