Original 19th Century Greek or Balkan Embossed Brass Clad Miquelet Lock Rat Tail Pistol - circa 1800

Original Item: Only One Available. These were often referred to as Miquelet "Rat Tail" Pistols because of the shape of the stock. These were the traditional muzzle loading pistol of the Balkans and Greece in the mid to late 1700s. Designed to be worn in a sash around one's waist, the weapon is very streamlined in appearance. There are brass mounts on the wood stock, which is mostly covered with decoratively embossed brass. The Miquelet ignition system is a hangover from the high quality Italian pistols of the 17th and early 18th centuries. There is no provision for a ram rod as these were traditionally worn on a thong around the shooter's neck. These are the weapons carried by Brigands and Pirates of the Mediterranean Sea that caused so much trouble to the Europeans in the early 1800s. Very decorative however the main spring seen on the front of the lock is cracked, so it can no longer accept any tension. Now this cannot be used and is offered for Decorative display only. History of th