Grip or no grip?

[Chad Langham]

Wanted to see what everyone thought. Obviously this grip was not dug with the pistol. You think I should leave it on there or display it without the grip?
Thanks

 

[Patrick H]

I can't answer directly, but I'm interested in box lock pistols. I'll be watching your thread closely.

 

[Chad Langham]

I can't answer directly, but I'm interested in box lock pistols. I'll be watching your thread closely.

This pistol was found near Blakely, AL.

 

[Patrick H]

I just realized I did not answer your direct question. Here's my answer: Leave it on. No one will mistake it for the original, but it will serve to illustrate how the original MIGHT have looked, for those who have never seen a box lock pistol.

Take this advice with a grain of salt, because I am certainly no expert on box lock pistols. I'm only telling you what I like to see on antiques like this. You will probably get a lot of answers that disagree with me. If so, that's totally cool!

 

[UCVRelics]

I can see by the metal it came from Blakley, I cut my teeth 40 years ago digging Blakley & Spanish Fort. All the iron came out like that I had a bayonet that just completely fell apart. I would take the grips off and find a nice photo of what it would have look like to display with it. Just my opinion.

 

[Chad Langham]

I can see by the metal it came from Blakley, I cut my teeth 40 years ago digging Blakley & Spanish Fort. All the iron came out like that I had a bayonet that just completely fell apart. I would take the grips off and find a nice photo of what it would have look like to display with it. Just my opinion.

Are you from the Spanish Fort area?

 

[Chad Langham]

I can't answer directly, but I'm interested in box lock pistols. I'll be watching your thread closely.

Would you happen to know what type this is and maybe an approximate year they were produced? Thanks for your help.

 

[Private Watkins]

I vote no grip. It's out of character with the rest of the piece unless you can find a way to age and degrade the wood in the same fashion...

 

[Frederick14Va]

how is the grip attached.... can see the brass stud/rivet on one side... is it screwed together... glued or riveted... depending on the method that was used.... it might be best to leave as is... could cause damage trying to remove it... just an observation...

 

[Patrick H]

Would you happen to know what type this is and maybe an approximate year they were produced? Thanks for your help.

Chad, I'm afraid I can't help you very much. However, there is quite a bit of information about box lock pistols available on Google. I think I'd start with Google images and look for examples with comparable barrel length and no trigger guard. The percussion ignition system on your pistol helps to date it--but not accurately. I don't think percussion caps were in wide use before the 1840s. By the 1870s cartridge pistols were in wide use. There still would have been lots of percussion box locks around in closets and desk drawers, but I doubt any were being made. I've got a hunch your pistol was made before the Civil War, but it's just a hunch.