Several years ago, I came across this piece in a pawn shop/antique store. It was very unique (to me); and at $300, I thought I paid a pretty good price for it (maybe I did; that, I don't know). I mainly got it because it matches my living room décor, so I'm happy with it either way.

I was able to find out a little bit about it, but there's not really a lot to go on. I'll include the links to what I found as I go, and I'll finish with some pics. If anyone here has more knowledge, or if I got something completely wrong, I'm very open to learning.

Here goes...

Through a Google search of the proof, I found a blog (generally I don't trust them, but this one seems to be fairly well researched--at least to me) that mentions Belgian proof marks. According to a 1978 article in The Gun Digest, as quoted by Mr. Cox, the proof appears to be from approximately 1810-1853 (It could also be the proof used from 1846-1924 for handguns.). Mr. Cox also stated, according to a book from 1910, that the particular proof mark used, signifies that the firearm was produced in the city of Liege.

I found a couple other close examples here and here. Mine isn't nearly in as good of a condition as those, but they appear to be similar in manufacture.

ETA: Also found out it's a box lock flint, not a flintlock.




It appears a repair was made for some reason, at some point. I'm not familiar enough with inner workings of this thing to make a guess, though.







Comparison to a .40 cal round. I have no idea what caliber the pistol is; perhaps a .45 or a different old-school, off-the-wall size?

Its a Liege trade coat pistol. .44cal. I wouldnt shoot it, iron ones are ok but these brass ones are questionable.

Also, does it have a hammer safety? If so, thats a rare feature.

I'm  not familiar with safeties from that era, so I couldn't tell you about that. It half-cocks, but the hammer will still fall from a trigger squeeze.

For me, brass is something to polish, not to shoot.

Yours is a cruder copy ofthis french pattern:

http://www.drake.net/products/French-boxlock-flintlock-coat-pistol-ca.-1790---Price-$1850?id=29713