1690 German Officer's Holster Pistol by Joel Clark

This 1690's period German Officer's holster pistol is highly engraved and decorated. The English walnut stock features bold chip carving around the front of the lock panels into the forearm. The highly decorated furniture was cast from a antique. The highly decorated furniture is engraved with scrolls and a stippled background. The round face lock by Jim Chamber's is expertly engraved with scrolls, on a stippled background. Fine quality parts were used through out by contemporary gun maker, Mr. Joel Clark.

The 10-1/4" tapered octagon-to-round pistol barrel is .cut rifled with a 54 caliber bore. The bore is perfect, clean and bright, in new condition. Cut rifled by W.E. Rayl with eight narrow round bottom grooves for a patched round ball. The barrel is served by a sturdy steel rammer with a flared brass tip installed. 

The Jim Chamber's small round faced Queen Anne lock incorporates the famous small Siler parts, fine tuned for this lock. The tumbler and sear have bearing shoulders to minimize friction. The mainspring engages a cam action ramp, to minimize trigger release and accelerate lock time. This lock engages full cock far back, allowing the use of our most popular 3/4” flint. This lock offers a long stroke, heavy mainspring, and optimum geometry, to insure best possible performance from a small lock. Unfired, the frizzen is unmarked, unsparked.

The curled single trigger is pinned high. Correct internal geometry provides a smooth trigger release.

Viewed from the top, you can see the tapered octagon-to-round 10" barrel. The thumbnail flared tang, upper three flats, and tapered round portion of the barrel are all highly engraved with scrolls on a stippled background. The top flat of the barrel is engraved Clark.

Stocked entirely by hand in English walnut, the forend tapers to the muzzle, and the raised lock panels taper gradually widest at the rear. The thumbnail flared tang is accented with raised carving and silver wire inlay. The wrist is fitted with a sculpted silver thumbpiece and surrounded with silver wire inlay and small silver brads.

Viewed from the bottom, the brass buttcap, brass triggerguard, brass ramrod pipes, and muzzle cap are shown. The brass fittings are highly polished. The brass buttcap features a engraved grotesque mask. The triggerguard is engraved with a legionnaire. 

The black walnut stock is oil finished. Oil finish develops a luster, slowly over time, and refreshes the surface after each application, masking any minor wear in the stock finish. The lock panels have a raised molded edge and chip carved scrolls extending from the lock panels to the ramrod entry pipe.

The flint lock is retained by two lock bolts, fitted to a elaborate brass sideplate, inletted to the side panel. The sideplate has twelve piercings to show the skill of the builder. The fancy engraved sideplate features a eagle grabbing a dog by the leg.

The forearm of the English walnut stock is fitted with a small devil's face breathing flames depicted by silver wire inlay.

This pistol comes with a fitted wood case measuring 20" by 11-1/2" with a 3-1/2" depth. The case is lined in purple felt, with a cleaning rod, three covered compartments for accessories. A jagged tip, fouling scraper, patchworm, and ball puller are included.

Copy and photos supplied by Track of the Wolf.