Identity of gun

[Knotcutter]

This gun belonged to my father's great-great grandfather (he thinks!). Does anyone know the identity of this gun? There are no visible markings that we can see.

Information

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[drm2m]

No idea.
Perhaps came from a similar family to the gun shown below.
"A buggy gun of some sort"?

David

[Knotcutter]

Thanks! I will research this type of gun. I do believe it is a pistol due to the handle.

[Patrick Chadwick]

It is an underhammer percussion pistol. A style that was very popular for target shooting in the 1860s. Associated in the USA primarily with a gunsmith named William Billinghurst. Originally conceived as a cheaper mechanism than the conventional sidelock construction, target shooters soon discovered that it was better for accurate shooting. Replicas are still made today, some in exquisite quality. The disadvantage is the tendency to singe the shooting hand!

Cailbers could be anything from .32 to .45. loaded with a patched ball. This appears to be a rather basic example that is missing a backsight. And, more importantly, the mainspring seems to be missing. This was often formed as a loop that looked like a triggerguard but was in fact also a spring. You can see the hole for the back end of the spring/triggerguard in the bottom plate behind the trigger. There may, of course, be a main spring hidden inside - I cannot be quite sure from the photo.

Patrick

[Patrick Chadwick]

The rifle in the next posting is an underhammer rifle, same vintage. Not a target rifle, as it only has the simple open backsight, and the foresight is missing. Remarks as for the pistol.

Many examples of underhammer pistols and rifles can be found in Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms.

Patrick

[Knotcutter]

Thank you so much Patrick! This information will really help my Dad.