Here we have a matching pair of Egyptian pistols with all silver fittings.
This extravagant pair of pistols are made of a dark stained hardwood with silver wire and plate fittings and decorations, the barrels start off octagonal before rounding off and flaring towards the tip.
The pistols seem to be brilliant copies of European military pistols of the time, the locks look to be very similar to British army locks and the barrel seems quite similar to the ones used by the British Navy.
The interesting part of these pistols is the makers marks or lack thereof. On the top of the barrel there is a series of symbols that appear at random and seem to have no actual meaning, similarly on the lock plate there is a linear scribble. What this appears to be is that an Egyptian gunsmith has seen a makers mark on a pistol and is either illiterate or has no understanding of what a makers mark is so what has been done is an imitation above the barrel and a signature on the plate.
The main identifier on the pistols is the silver markings, the ‘.v’ symbol is the assay mark for Cairo, Egypt.
~ Dimensions ~
The barrels are 11 inches (28 cm) long.
The pistols are 17 inches (43 cm) long.
The pistols weigh 2.17 Kg.
~ Condition ~
The pistols are in a good condition for their age and manufacture. Quite possibly these were made for form rather than for function.
There is some damage to the silver wire and some shrinking to the wood.
One of the pistols trigger guards is loose.
One of the ramrods is damaged leaving only the metal core and not the outer wooden section.
These would be perfect as a restoration piece or display object.
ref. GS7251961 / MLC000X34LP21RRD23E
