Project Description
!!!!!SOLD!!!!! This is an unusual & interesting Berloque pivoting breech 2mm pinfire pistol by an unknown maker, possibly antique. 1 5/8″ long overall with a 13/16″ part octagon part round barrel of .079 caliber. Blue steel construction. Two piece mother of pearl grips with brass escutcheons and a single screw entering from the right side. The hammer has both half & full cock. The hammer spur & thumb piece for the pivoting breech are serrated. Brass pin type front sight. The breech block is hinged on the left side, rotating to make the barrel accessible for loading. There is a spring on the right side that locks the breech block in place when closed. There is a brass fitting on the bottom of the grip frame for attaching a hanging ring. I have seen this type breech on full size single shot pistols, but don’t recall ever seeing it on a miniature. Complete with a jewelry box type gray leather hinged top case with push button latch, the exterior top with a gold border. The interior bottom French fit & lined in a blue/green felt. The interior lid lined in an off white silk & marked with a fleur de lis, then “Hamilton & Co., 202 Regent Street, London, W.”. The pistol is in excellent condition showing about 50% original blue with the remainder turning a pleasing gray/brown patina. The pearl grips are excellent. The case is excellent showing just minor handling wear, the interior lid silk lining with some minor dirt & staining. There is an oval red & white sticker on the bottom of the case marked in ink “3481, ah/h/x, Luo”, no clue what it stands for or means. The pistol shows excellent workmanship, fir, & finish, and was obviously made by a master craftsman. Stock # BF-66. !!!!!SOLD!!!!!
