Selective Fire Superimposed Barrel Ottoman Flintlock Holster Pistol With Sliding Pan Circa 1820

A Rare And Luxurious Selective Fire Superimposed Barrel Ottoman Flintlock Holster Pistol With Sliding Pan Circa 1820.

11 and 3/4 inch .54 caliber Spanish form barrels, octagonal to round, engraved with meander at breech and bearing two pseudo English proofs. Breech tang engraved ensuite. Bolted flat lock fully engraved leafy foliage, swan neck cock engraved ensuite. Sliding priming pan permits selection of upper or lower barrel.

Full elaborate silver mounts cast and chased in high relief, the long sideplate with trophies of arms, the triggerguard with trophy of arms and struck with a tughra (Ottoman silver mark). The spurred buttcap cast and chased in relief with foliage and struck on the right spur with a fine tughra. The engraved front silver and struck on the left with a tughra.

The figured walnut fullstock inlaid throughout its length with fine silver wire in exuberant swirling patterns. A silver Ottoman moon and star inlaid at rear of barrel tang. Silver thumb piece cast and chased in high relief and struck with a tughra.

A rare Ottoman flintlock that exhibits both high quality, rarity of system, and opulent silver decoration. Condition of steel is an attractive gray with light wear and no corrosion. Walnut stock is fine with few losses to the elaborate silver wire inlays. One tight crack on right side of forestock forward of the lockplate and one minor chip above the lock plate near the cock.

Action functions on half and full cock and bores are good for a flintlock of this period. This most impressive Ottoman multishot flintlock is 19 inches overall. A similar pistol is illustrated in Winant’s Firearms Curiosa.