AN OTTOMAN SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOL (KUBUR)
Ottoman Turkey, 19th century

Of typical shape, with a faceted Belgian steel barrel and a turban-shaped silver-mounted butt, the steel lock engraved with lush Westernised vegetal trellis, the handle and stock fully covered in silver with typical Ottoman nielloed and engraved decorations like rosette sprays, foliage, arabesques and trellis, the barrel stamped ELG *, a Belgian mark to indicate it was proofed in Liège, in use from 1810 till present day, from 1893 in use on muzzleloaders only, 33.5cm long.