🥇 BANNER 1700s Flintlock with silver side plate!

[SC Keith]

Got out to an early site with my buddy and we shallow water hunted the muck and mud. The finds were sparse with just a flat button and part of a pocket knife when I got a large iron signal that turned out to be this surprise!
When I picked up the clump of iron, I noticed the side plate which I thought was brass, but turned out to be solid cast silver! The flint was still fused into the hammer. Still stoked about this cool find! Thanks for looking

 

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[ArfieBoy]

Just finding the pistol is an awesome find, but the silver side plate makes it a fantastic find! Thank you for sharing it with us!

 

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[smokeythecat]

Now. Put your iron piece in fresh water. With that amount of corrosion it looks like it was in salt water. Leave it there a couple weeks, then change out the water and do that for about 6 months. Then get a salt water hydrometer and in the last batch of water test to see if there is any residual salt. If you don't in 6 months you'll have a pile of rusty dust.

That's some great stuff there.

 

[Tnmountains]

Did you use electrolysis to free it from the clump? Amazing shape and beautiful design. Way to go.

 

[Aureus]

Stunning find! Banner! Congrats and an awesome restoration job!

 

[SC Keith]

Outstanding find! Banner! I would try to get it x-rayed and see if it was still loaded. Much still to be learned from the piece.

Was hoping the ball would roll out! Not yet!

Wow. That side plate is a really a beautiful piece! A very unique and special find. Did there happen to be any hallmarks?

I hope electrolysis will reveal the barrel hall marks. Only a set of double notches on silver reverse.

Now. Put your iron piece in fresh water. With that amount of corrosion it looks like it was in salt water. Leave it there a couple weeks, then change out the water and do that for about 6 months. Then get a salt water hydrometer and in the last batch of water test to see if there is any residual salt. If you don't in 6 months you'll have a pile of rusty dust.

That's some great stuff there.

. Thanks for the advice Smokey!

Did you use electrolysis to free it from the clump? Amazing shape and beautiful design. Way to go.

I used a small screwdriver to remove the main pieces. Will finish the iron with electrolysis soon. Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

[villagenut]

Now. Put your iron piece in fresh water. With that amount of corrosion it looks like it was in salt water. Leave it there a couple weeks, then change out the water and do that for about 6 months. Then get a salt water hydrometer and in the last batch of water test to see if there is any residual salt. If you don't in 6 months you'll have a pile of rusty dust.

That's some great stuff there.

I agree but it is best to soak in distilled water rather than tap water. Distilled water works as a leaching agent to remove the salt or chloride ions that have infiltrated the iron. Tap water is already containing chloride where distilled is Chloide free allowing that salt to migrate better into it.

 

[Lost Signal]

Awesome! Banner!

 

[Rege-PA]

You could also measure down the bbl and if it is plugged an inch or two above the touch hole it could be loaded.
You might find any combination of a single ball, two balls or a ball and some smaller "Crane shot" which was a favorite load of theirs, just about guaranteed to empty a saddle. By theirs I mean Whigs and Tories settling grudges, real or imagined. The blood shed at this time matched no other colony for its viciousness towards women,old men and young boys. Their crude swords cutting them to pieces.
.

 

[Toecutter]

Sure does make me wonder what that silver plate represents..

Got my banner vote..

 

[Erik in NJ]

I would agree that it's a banner find. I hope it reveals more of its secrets. Please keep us posted.

 

[yangonoverture]

Wow they look magical.

 

[Calabash Digger]

Congrats on a awesome find! Banner all the way!

 

[Shakakka]

Sure does make me wonder what that silver plate represents..

Got my banner vote..

Literally, BANNERS!

 

[JerV3]

Awesome side plate relic.

I would also bet it's a banner relic also.

Jer

 

[CRUSADER]

I've now voted BANNER, I was sitting on the fence for awhile because I have little knowledge of fire-arms. However, I don't remember another silver version being posted before & they must be pretty rare.
CONGRATS again, it does have 'the look'.

 

[Doubter in MD]

That is a very cool and unique find. Thank you for sharing it with us. And congratulations on making it to the banner. It definitely belongs there.

 

[trdking]

Just WOW very cool find!

 

[Tnmountains]

Looks good up there. Congratulations on a really unusual find. Everyone sure must have felt the same.

 

[SC Keith]

Looks good up there. Congratulations on a really unusual find. Everyone sure must have felt the same.

Thank you Tnmountains! It was humbling to discover that this find made it to the banner. I appreciate all the nice comments from the members. The parts to this gun are in electrolysis now and my research continues to try and ID silversmith and gun maker.
HH, Keith

 

[cuzcosquirrel]

This is a gentlemen's or officer's pistol of some variety. The side plate has a martial scene and I am including a link to a Queen Anne's pistol with a similar one in brass, with a monogram plate. Of course, a silver mounted pistol is pretty special.


Queen Anne Pistol - VON ASCHWEGE FLINTLOCKS