Old Percussion Pistol Identity?

midreal

Hi-
Found this forum and was hoping someone could help identify or point me in the right direction on an old percussion? pistol that was found in my wifes granddad's house. I have several images up at the following link:
[http://www.paxtonfineart.com/HTML/Oldgun.html]
The only markings on the gun seem to be what looks like a crown above a P on three different fittings. The gun was found at the Battle of the Bulge by my wifes Granddad's cousin who was fighting in Germany at that time. Don't know why it would have been there or how it was found (on a person, in the mud, in a house?). Any help would be greatly appreciated [:)]
Thank you
Paxton---

Spider7115

It appears to have originally been a flintlock of French or possibly German origin that was converted to percussion. Have you removed the barrel to look for proofmarks underneath?

I'm leaning more toward French: Take a look at this auction for similarities: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=90872524

midreal

Thanks so much for the fast reply.[^] It definitly looks very similar. I will try and look for further marking on the pistol as you sugested and post back what I find.
Paxton---

Spider7115

I believe this is what your pistol looked like in its original configuration: French Napoleonic period. Check the barrel closely for a possible date.

midreal

Wow Spider, Great photos! Thanks for posting them. Again the resemblance is great. I will definitely check the barrel. Ill have access to the gun later this evening and will post what I find then. Thanks so much for the help and photos. I must have spent over an hour trying to find photos of similar guns with not much success [:D]
Paxton---

Spider7115

quote:Originally posted by midreal
Wow Spider, Great photos! Thanks for posting them. Again the resemblance is great. I will definitely check the barrel. Ill have access to the gun later this evening and will post what I find then. Thanks so much for the help and photos. I must have spent over an hour trying to find photos of similar guns with not much success [:D]
Paxton---


You're very welcome. I'm pretty certain that's an accurate identification and it should be a .70 caliber. Check the lockplate also for script writing - they weren't stamped very deeply. It was possibly manufactured at the St. Etienne Armory.

midreal

Ok- Took me awhile but I finally was able to take another look at the gun. I did find a date in the same location as on the gun you put up pics of. It is 1808. Also there is writing on the lockplate that looks very similar to the compared one but is very faint. Thanks for all the info I think im satisfied now [:D]

Spider7115

quote:Originally posted by midreal
Ok- Took me awhile but I finally was able to take another look at the gun. I did find a date in the same location as on the gun you put up pics of. It is 1808. Also there is writing on the lockplate that looks very similar to the compared one but is very faint. Thanks for all the info I think im satisfied now [:D]

Thanks for the update. We aim to please! [:D]