Original 19th Century Greek or Balkan Copper Clad Miquelet Lock Rat Tail Pistol - circa 1820

Original Item: Only One Available. This type of pistol is often referred to as a Miquelet "Rat Tail" Pistol, because of the shape of the stock. These were the traditional muzzle loading pistol of the Balkans and Greece in the early to mid 1800s. Designed to be worn in a sash around one's waist, the weapon is very streamlined in appearance. The Copper, which looks like Rose Gold (but it isn't), is quite thick and actually hollow for the most part. It is profusely decorated with engravings and embossings. The Miquelet ignition system is a hangover from High Quality Italian pistols of the 17th and early 18th centuries. These are just the weapons carried by Brigands and Pirates of the Mediterranean Sea that caused so much trouble to the Europeans in the early 1800s. Most decorative, with an intriguing ignition system, 19" overall, with a 11 3/4" inch smoothbore barrel. Ready to Display! History of the Miquelet Lock:Miquelet lock is a modern term used by collectors and curators, largely in