Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice Austrian percussion cavalry pistol, in approximately 0.55" caliber. It features a rifled barrel 10 3/8" in length, with an overall length of 16". It follows the classic Austrian style, with all iron mountings, and has no provision for a ramrod. Like most cavalry pistols, it has a lanyard loop on the "skull crusher" butt so that it can be easily recovered if dropped.

The pistol is nicely dated 1868 (864) on the lock below the cap bolster, with an Austrian Imperial Eagle proof on the lock plate tail. It is also fitted with an external hammer safety lever, which holds the hammer just past half cock, and will fall away once the hammer is fully cocked. This would allow a loaded and primed pistol to be carried without worrying about it falling off half cock. Given that the pistol was up against repeaters and revolvers, they had to make it faster off the draw in any way they could.

The top of the barrel is faintly marked G. WEIGAND, a known contractor for these pistols, as well as Lorenz rifles. There are also some markings on the breech of the barrel, including a script L, a J in a circle, and an Eagle over W. The number 55 is stamped on the nose cap, the side plate, and on the butt cap.

Condition is very good, with a lovely polished patina on the metalwork, with no major rust or pitting. There is not much powder burn visible, and the bore of the pistol is in great condition, showing a bright finish and not much wear to the four groove rifling. The lock functions perfectly, holding at half cock and firing at full, with a fully working hammer safety.

The wood stock is a nice honey color, and it looks to be made from Beech or another European hardwood. It does however show some damage, with two cracks in the pistol grip, and a chunk missing behind the nose cap. There are some traces of stock markings on the left side behind the side plate, but we cannot make them out.

A very nice late European Cavalry Percussion pistol, ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1864
Caliber: .55 inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 10 3/8 inches
Overall Length: 16 inches
Action: Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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