PIRATE FLINTLOCK LUCKNOW INDIA by RELICART
This classic flintlock from Lucknow, India features an 8" engraved barrel in steel finish and measures 13 3/4 inches overall. This beautiful replica has the weight and feel of the original. Deep engraved fittings and durable resin, simulated high polished wood stock, and the action really works. The strike-plate adjusts, the hammer cocks, and the trigger releases the hammer. Comes fully assembled and ready for display in your home or office.
FLINTLOCK PISTOLS - A PIRATE'S COMPANION
Unlike the rifle, pistols seemed to be a pirate's best friend. In most pictures of pirates, it is clear that a number of pistols were carried by each pirate. In most pictures of BlackBeard, at least a half dozen pistols, assumed loaded and ready, can be seen in his sash. The mid- to late 17th century was the heyday of the pirate trade, and pitched battles at sea between armed sailing ships were common. Marines carried muskets, but for sailors the pistol and cutlass combination made far more sense. Sailors who could get a loaded pistol could readily board an enemy vessel, fire a shot, use the emptied gun as a small club, and swing a cutlass all the time.
Pistols came in in a variety of shapes and styles, from long to short barrel versions, approx 9 inches and 12 inches long, with a bore of about 0.56 inches. The butt had a rounded and sometimes metal base (known as a skull crusher butt cap) so the pistol could be used as a club once fired. Issued either singularly or in pairs, most sea pistols had an effective range of only 3 or 4 yards. Moreover, pistols being what they were and boarding attacks being virtual mob assaults, one did not need to be much of a marksman. An enemy was usually only a few feet away if that far. Anyone armed with a musket would have found it far more hindrance than help.
Flintlock pistols were so called because the lock uses a flint to strike sparks into the priming pan when the trigger is pulled. A small amount of gunpowder in this pan is ignited, which in turn ignites the main gunpowder charge in the barrel, firing the lead ball. Both the main charge and the ball were loaded from the front, or muzzle, of the barrel, after which the priming charge was poured into the pan – all very time consuming! Often the priming charge would burn but fail to ignite the main charge – whence the expression flash in the pan! The original of this particular flintlock pistol was made in Lucknow India. This non-firing version is accurately detailed - a great costume or conversation piece.
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