ok, what the hell is this?

[buckshotbarlow]

Ok, an old farmer and his wife ask me to find out what the hell this is...Any ideas??? Sorry for the huge pics, but i figured we needed detail here...

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/101535922/20130126_183621.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/101535922/20130126_183636.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/101535922/20130126_183608.jpg

[zteknik]

Dikfer[Coffee]

Seriously though.I realy have no knowledge on these,but is there any markings on it?Like date ,cal. or a name?
Looks like a nice blackpowder peice.Alot of them were repros .
From the looks of it it could be English,or duplicated to look English.

[Dave]

Not really an expert, but this is what it looks like to me. The markings on the top of the chamber would be gunsmith proofs. The smith or his assistant would test the gun to be sure it wouldn't fail during intended use and a mark was stamped on it to show that it passed. Probably early 19th century design given the barrel and stock design and that it has a percussion cap ignition, anything earlier would probably have a flintlock ignition. This design with a short barrel was used frequently as home defense or as a sidearm for military that weren't of high enough rank for a long barreled model with gold inlays instead of engraved pewter. Sailors liked this style too since they could be stuck in a belt and drawn quickly after their boat was boarded and they abandoned the cannon for on deck fighting. Again, not sure if the markings were real or even what the contruction quality is without it in front of me. Nice wall piece if anything.