Lot 57
Composite Tack Decorated Flintlock Trade Pistol Marked "H.J. Meunier"
Sale 2030 - Arms, Armor and Militaria
Oct 23, 2024 10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati

Estimate
$700 - $900
Lot Description
Composite Tack Decorated Flintlock Trade Pistol Marked "H.J. Meunier"
Fur Trade Period

.70 caliber. 11.5" pinned octagon to round barrel with tapering top flat. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, hardwood stock. Single shot muzzleloading flintlock pistol. Flat faceted and stepped flint lock is marked H J MEUNIER forward of the replaced rounded swan neck cock. Lock with a faceted bridled and fenced integral iron pan. Interior of lock with maker's mark GDB, that of the Belgian lock maker. Barrel with typical Low Country style blade front sight. Pistol is crudely restocked with crudely installed brass furniture, oversized steel pins securing the barrel and added brass tacks for decoration. H.J. Meunier was a gunsmith working in Liege, Belgium during the 3rd quarter of the 18th century and the barrel and lock definitely have the general appearance of Low Country gun parts from that period. The stocking and furniture is much later than the period of the lock and barrel. The lock has a replaced, incorrect cock and a replaced frizzen and is secured to the stock by two modern machines screws. Despite the replaced parts the lock appears to be in an original flint configuration with the apparently original pan. The crude stocking could be non-professional work from the 19th century or could be more recent than that, although the stock shows some real age and use. The decorative tacks have a rich, uncleaned patina and have square brass shanks.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.
Condition Report

Good. Bore is poor, dark, dirty, oxidized and pitted. Barrel with a mottled brown and gray patina, moderate oxidation and moderately pitted. Lock essentially functional, but the cock is very loose and ill fitting on the tumbler, the modern hammer screw does not fit appropriately and the entire lock is spongy and feels weak. Brass with a golden patina. Wood with moderate wear, most parts ill fitting and showing little skill in the stocking of the pistol. Wood with numerous scattered bumps, dings, mars and some grain cracks.


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