Project Description

!!!!!SOLD!!!!!  This is an antique miniature percussion screw off barrel drop trigger muff pistol probably made in Belgium in the 1850’s – 1870’s.  1 11/16″ long overall with a 15/32″ long barrel of .108 caliber.  The frame is engraved in scroll motifs.  The barrel has a distinct flare at the muzzle.  The one piece ivory grip shows a nice mellow aged patina.  The pistol looks to have been finished in nickel plate.  Included is the combination tool which is a bullet mold, sprue cutter, barrel wrench, & nipple wrench; a small ivory powder flask, a cleaning/ramrod, and an ivory lift top cap/bullet box with two original period percussion caps.  The black leather hinged top case with age darkened blue bottom felt lining that now looks brown with blue ribbon borders.  The interior lid padded and lined in a blue silk.  The pistol is in excellent mechanical condition and works properly.  The hammer with both half & full cock & the trigger dropping into place when the hammer is fully retracted.  The nickel plated finish is mostly gone with some pitting on the frame & lower tang.  The barrel showing marks from some idiot who used pliers to unscrew it.  The ivory grip is  in great shape showing a nice aged patina and a beautiful grain, but there is one small hairline crack running with the grain on the left side.  The tool is as near perfect as you could hope to find.  The cap box & flask showing a nice aged patina & grain.  The cap box with some tape glue residue on the sides & bottom.  This exact miniature cased set is featured on pages 247, 251, & 252 of Arthur Brown’s book “Miniature Guns of Mexico”, where it is shown in original Tom Weston photographs & Weston tells of this pistol being the first miniature gun he had ever owned.  The case & accessories were made & furnished by Tom Weston.  The set is also featured on page 274 of the book “The Art of Miniature firearms – Centuries of Craftsmanship” also talking of this being the first miniature gun Weston ever owned.  This is a very historically important, one of the most important, miniature firearms as it was the one piece that got Tom Weston interested in making the hundreds of high quality miniatures guns he eventually made!!!  Stock # AB-22.  !!!!!SOLD!!!!!