Fine Quality Silver Gilt And Niello Stocked Balkan Flintlock Holster Pistol Circa 1820

An Unusually Fine Quality Silver Gilt And Niello Stocked Balkan Flintlock Holster Pistol Circa 1820.

12 and 1/4 inch three stage round barrel faceted at breech and decorated with an engraved scimitar, panels of Arabesque engraving, an Ottoman crescent. 62 caliber. Fine quality stepped and bolted lock engraved with Ottoman crescent moon at tail and further decorated with floral engraving and signature (illegible) in a riband. Bridled roller bearing frizzen.

The heavy all silver fullstock with relief niello panels throughout all on a pounced gilded ground of splendid quality. The false sideplate features a large mythical monster framed by two castles all in beautiful niello work. The butt with niello relief trophies of arms. The barrel band with four relief niello decorated panels.

The entire pistol stock is a work of master silversmith and niello artist. Condition is optimal with all relief decoration intact and 90%+ original gilding. The bore is fine and the action works perfectly. 20 inches overall. On a scale of 1 to 10 this superb Ottoman Balkan pistol is a 9+. If you seek one truly great silver stocked gilded nielloed flintlock pistol your search is over. About as good as one of these gets.