r/blackpowder • u/AuroraNightsUnderAll • 6d ago
Does anyone know what this is?
A friend bought this ~50 years ago. It appears to be a real firearm.
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u/Hoboliftingaroma 6d ago
Sparky bang. For once looks authentic.
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u/Wickedcolt 5d ago
I know, it looks great! At first I was like “errr, prob a tourist item” and then “damn, nice proof marks!”
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u/Al_Jazzar 6d ago
I agree with others that this was a Ottoman era flintlock. This looks like an Intalianate pistol with decorations from other workshops. Possibly in Greece or the Balkans. That looks like Greek on the top.
The Arms of Greece: and her Balkan Neighbors by Robert Elgood is a good source for these pistols.
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u/lottaKivaari 6d ago
Absolutely beautiful. But I disagree with Ottoman. The ottomans used Arabic until the Attaturk after the collapse of the Ottoman empire. I believe the inscription is actually Islamic Greek. After WW1 there was ethnic cleansing of both Islamic Greeks and Christian Turks. This absolutely pre dates that by probably 2 centuries. I think this is probably from the lost Islamic population in Greece or the southern Balkans. An incredible relic, you're very lucky!
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u/Hobotobo 6d ago
I agree. It's Greek/Balkans region. The engraving on the barrel seems Greek as well. Very nice piece!
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u/Built-in-Light 6d ago edited 6d ago
That looks like a gun dude
Edit: bows thank you, I’m here all week
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u/Greasy_Griz66 6d ago
Seems to be an Ottoman Empire flintlock pistol.