Hidden
Flintlock Pistol
This
small casket contains a hidden pistol in its base. At first sight it appears to
be a music box, the muzzle hole being the key hole and the trigger and safety on
the back being the music mechanism's controls. The shallow depth of the box
under the sprung lid, while clearly revealing the presence of a hidden
compartment, does nothing to discourage the idea that this is a music box. Only
when the bottom of the box is released by pressure on the small pin catch in the
side opposite the barrel hole is the true nature of this casket revealed.
This
casket may have been made as an apprentice piece. The quality of the engraving
is excellent, the attention to detail impressive. Even the catch spring and the
spring that opens the lid have been carefully filed into pleasing decorative
shapes.
The
casket was probably made in the early 19th century and in Europe. There are no
marks or proofs to give any further information about either the date or place
of manufacture. The overall dimensions of the box are: width 85mm, depth 52mm
and height 40mm.
This is
an exceptionally rare item of firearms curiosa. No example is found in Winant's
Firearms Curiosa nor can anything similar be found in any of the standard texts
including the American Society of Arms Collectors massive three volume Book of
Historical Handguns.
Dr Hugo
