Miquelet Pistol

A fine example of a "rat tail" miquelet pistol. Our item dates from the 19th century and all external features indicate Albania as the place of manufacture.

Large parts of the Balkan region had been under Ottoman rule for centuries, and the region was renowned for its arms production and craftsmanship.

These types of pistols were made in small factories, among families and clans, and then sold to merchants in local markets from where they headed east. The owners of these pistols were ostentatious and frequently polished the barrel to make them glow in the sun. As a result, the decorations on the barrel are often worn out.

With a length of 52 cm and a caliber of 16 mm, our example belongs to the large versions. The decorations of the brass fittings are beautiful and intact. Slight traces of surface rust and pitting.

Literature:
Robert Elgood, "The Arms of Greece and its Balkan Neighbors in the Ottoman Period"