Wall hangers and the like...

[ArmedCorgi]

So I was at a flea market down state today and came across a retailer who seemed to feature antique blades and guns. He had a couple of pistols which caught my attention. One was a double barreled flintlock pistol and the other was a single barreled percussion pistol, very short barreled which happened to come with some kind of tool. Couldn't really make out what the tool did, but that's what the seller pushed. In any case, he wanted $1800 for the double barreled flintlock pistol and because the percussion pistol had the extra tool, he wanted $2500 for that. My question is regarding those prices. Were those reasonable prices to be asking for those handguns? I apologize for the lack of details here, but I'm new to the world of antique firearms. To me, its a wall hanger and as nice as it might be, at a flea market and not looking like you could trust it to be functional (so just a wall hanger) those prices seem very high.

 

[GUNSICK]

Could be worth five bucks or be worth a million.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Could be worth five bucks or be worth a million.

The seller didn't offer up any reason or documentation that would support the value of the handguns. Perhaps because I may not have come across as a serious buyer, but also maybe because he was full of it? Again, this was a flea market, not a brick and mortar antique store with a reputation. Maybe I am being naive here, but to me those prices were very high. No historical value other than they are old...okay. I was thinking along the lines of maybe $300-$400, certainly not $1800+. But please, if I'm wrong here someone tell me.

 

[GOYABEAN]

Beware lots of fakes made to look old and antique $50 kit sold as if it was carried by George Washington himself

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Beware lots of fakes made to look old and antique $50 kit sold as if it was carried by George Washington himself

Right?! I was thinking that the whole time. I'm sorry but unless George Washington himself touched the gun, I'm not paying more than $300 for an old cap and ball or flintlock which most likely is only safe to hang on the wall. Especially at a flea market.

 

[GOYABEAN]

Right?! I was thinking that the whole time. I'm sorry but unless George Washington himself touched the gun, I'm not paying more than $300 for an old cap and ball or flintlock which most likely is only safe to hang on the wall. Especially at a flea market.

I use to watch this show a few years back International Military Antiques | Military Collectibles, Militaria, Antique Guns, 400 years of Military History for Sale ima-usa.com they seem to be the go to guys for stuff like this !

 

[Acer-m14]

could be a replica or not .. just like buying 22lr at gun shows LOL ...

 

[Podmonkey]

Till I get my Garand fixed its basically a wall hanger

 

[ArmedCorgi]

In this situation I tend to take venue into account. Flea markets are busy places with people in and out of vendor tents, lots of confusion. These were in a glass case but still, it's a flea market,... Anyway, I guess it really doesn't matter. I don't plan on collecting antique guns, I'd rather spend the money on new ones that can shoot or ammo or gear but should I want a nice wall hanger I just don't know what's appropriate to expect to pay. I gather it depends on a lot of factors.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Till I get my Garand fixed its basically a wall hanger

Yeah, but a wall hanger that CAN be fixed and is still functional.

 

[Podmonkey]

In this situation I tend to take venue into account. Flea markets are busy places with people in and out of vendor tents, lots of confusion. These were in a glass case but still, it's a flea market,... Anyway, I guess it really doesn't matter. I don't plan on collecting antique guns, I'd rather spend the money on new ones that can shoot or ammo or gear but should I want a nice wall hanger I just don't know what's appropriate to expect to pay. I gather it depends on a lot of factors.

Well its a non functional, decorative item so I wouldn't pay anymore than you would be willing to for say a really nice painting but you are the only one that can determine whats its worth to you.

 

[Podmonkey]

Yeah, but a wall hanger that CAN be fixed and is still functional.

Yeah, but when you are a lazy procrastinator like me its also an albatross around your neck.

 

[Robin]

The double barrel pistol of that era were called a Howda and were used for dangerous game hunting in India. An original Howda could easily bring that much depending on quality and condition. Pedersoli makes a working cap lock version for around $800.00, and some of the modern made flintlock Howda's made in India can be had for half of that, but I wouldn't want to shoot it, their barrels are suspect. I wouldn't make one for less than $3ooo.oo.
If the barrels were polished bright and shiny, chances are it is a modern made gun from India and imported for the retail market.
Robin

 

[Robin]

Double Barrel Flint Pistol

Made in India.
Robin

 

[4excal]

Double Barrel Flint Pistol

Made in India.
Robin

I do say dear chap..That's a fine looking specimen.

 

[Saltwater60]

I bought an old wall hanger percussion riffle from gun broker for like $260. It's really nice and in good shape. I do believe it could be shot.
Pistols of that area in good condition seem to be expensive. I have looked for two pistols to cross u see my riffle, but have not done anything test due to cost. If you want it just as a wall hanger it's not worth spending that much in my opinion, but it's your money.

 

[HighlandLofts]

with no general back ground on these pieces I'd stay clear of them unless you had some one like Robin with you that has vast knowledge of black powder fire arms.

A friend bought a (This is the real deal) cannon barrel at a street market over in Asia, well it's not the real deal. Good money spent on a reproduction.

These pieces might not be reproductions, but might not be worth more then a hundred bucks. https://r.search.yahoo.com/cbclk2/d...3qzKYm5I1QzuLeXorgHOJ32S6t6WwjErGEX2XZLFv9W4-

It seams for that kind of money they guy should of had some knowledge of their history and value.

 

[Mk44]

$199 at Cabelas.
DIY kit

Black Powder Pistols - Black Powder Revolvers

 

[Criticalt]

Just because it's old, doesn't mean it's valuable.
Maker, rarity and provenance determine value.
With no paperwork its a paperweight.

 

[Snappo]

So I was at a flea market down state today and came across a retailer who seemed to feature antique blades and guns. He had a couple of pistols which caught my attention. One was a double barreled flintlock pistol and the other was a single barreled percussion pistol, very short barreled which happened to come with some kind of tool. Couldn't really make out what the tool did, but that's what the seller pushed. In any case, he wanted $1800 for the double barreled flintlock pistol and because the percussion pistol had the extra tool, he wanted $2500 for that. My question is regarding those prices. Were those reasonable prices to be asking for those handguns? I apologize for the lack of details here, but I'm new to the world of antique firearms. To me, its a wall hanger and as nice as it might be, at a flea market and not looking like you could trust it to be functional (so just a wall hanger) those prices seem very high.

My collection stopped at WW I. I wanted to go further back (Civil War, 1812, Revolutionary War) but I had more than a few friends that also love to collect and they all warned me that anything older than WW I is like 90% fake and a total crap shoot. Civil War is especially bad because the same weapons being made in 1861 were still being made well after 1866. So you could get something from 1875 and it's the same as 1862 and some guy just wants to rip you off by saying "weapon was in Civil War" and bumping the price up 1,000%.

 

[Robin]

Well, I know a few guys that can make weapons from the late 1700's era that have been sold as originals. They are honest men, but after it changes hand s a couple times, and less than honest men get ahold of them, well all bets are off. These guys will come forward if they see one of their guns being misrepresented. It doesn't matter, art, antiquities, even autographs, you have to do your due diligence in verifying authenticity. Hell even I have been chastised at the range for shooting a gun that someone feels should be in a museum, until I explain that the gun is two weeks old, and to GFY!
Robin

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Double Barrel Flint Pistol

Made in India.
Robin

That looks like the one double barrel flintlock, though this one had "special engraving" on it and was not shiny. I'm sure the guy could have antiqued them through many different techniques to make them look the age...

 

[ArmedCorgi]

$199 at Cabelas.
DIY kit
View attachment 13816
Black Powder Pistols - Black Powder Revolvers

That could very well be the way to go. This way, in a pinch I could have a working gun. After all, right now what I have hanging is a Traditions flintlock Pennsylvania rifle with some powder horns. It's decent looking but probably wouldn't look right next to older guns.