Like fine wine, I too would like to age well.
I had a go at cleaning this piece, first with alcohol, then Wintergreen Oil. - I had bought it earlier, but neglected it, unsure how best to improve it's cracked and chipped wood - but decided to try anyway .. My oily cotton balls turned black with the filth of ages lifted from the patterned 'Damascus Steel' barrel.
I am in awe at the quality of the work that was cherished into this life saving tool
These small pocket pistols were cheaply built for the trade - and have been called "GET-OFF-ME GUNS" and "PROSTITUTES PISTOLS" as well as the comedic "MUFF PISTOLS".
This turn-off barrel Pocket Pistol is old and battered, true, - but look at the quality - the 'German Silver' hinged 'shell' capbox in the grip, - the engraving on the folding-trigger, - the skill of the ironworkers who twisted and hammered the near molten alloy metals into patterns & spirals to form those artful barrels.
Gun-Snobs might think "but this is not a London gun" - not even Birmingham made .. but "Continental"
- It ain't no Colt either .."
It's a bulk produced boxlock percussion pistol from the mid to late 19th century.
Perhaps it filled a similar need for self-defense that the Glocks fill today. - If cleaned and cared-for they last to serve more than one lifetime for ordinary folk.
Let's say that this two and a half inch barrel, .45ish (12mm) Liege pistol is 175 years old - it seems to remain a good tool - viable, fully operable and worth care.
The Wintergreen oil smells good too - and I do believe that it has eased the ache in my arthritic thumb ..
The wood grip looks better after cleaning-off the scratched black lacquer with 0000 steelwool - but a good wax should help ..
Life is GOOD,
Are YOU Fit and Proper?
Are NZ Police 'FIT AND PROPER PERSONS'?
"trust me".
- how many senior Police Commissioners have resigned/retired now?
7 - any more?
In The Interest of PUBLIC SAFETY ..
We NEED
FIREARMS LICENCES FOR NZ POLICE.
Marty K.
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