Flintlock Pistol, Ottoman Algeria, Late 18th Early 19th Century, Coral And Silver, 61cm

Flintlock pistol, Ottoman Algeria, late 18th early 19th century Round barrel and steel-sided thunderbolt fixed to the barrel by three rings with floral decoration in repoussé silver. Flintlock engraved with foliage repeated on the hammer. Wooden barrel and stock inlaid with natural coral cabochons. The stock ends with a pear-shaped silver element formerly decorated with a coral pearl. Wooden ramrod added. Non-working lock, two small coral cabochons missing, butt pommel restored with wood paste. Trigger guard hallmarked twice with a swan; This hallmark has been used since June 29, 1893 to mark silver works imported from countries that do not have a trade treaty with France, silver watchmaking items from all countries and silver works with legal titles found at the Mont de Piété or in public sales without guarantee marks or master's mark allowing their origin to be recognized: it only guarantees the minimum legal title (750 thousandths). Length: 61 cm gross weight: 1280 g Bibliography: See: Elgood, R. (1995) Firearms of the Islamic World in the Tareq Rajab Museum, Kuwait, London / New York: IB Tauris Publishers, pp. 5- 79. See also for a very similar model: Hales, R. (2013) Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour - A Lifetime's passion, Robert Hales CI Ltd, p. 250, No. 609.