Mystery pistol..?

[Shanghai McCoy]

So I was cleaning up and sorting through stuff and found a single shot caplock that I must have bought further back than I can remember. I do recall the fellow telling me it was a 45 but when I tried a 440 ball it was too big. Must have set it aside and then forgot I had it..

Anyway, I "miked" the bore and it seems to be a nominal 40 caliber. It has a walnut stock,it's a sidelock and and has these markings on the barrel.

PNXXVI on one flat. B inside a faintly struck box and ITALY FIE on another flat.

So, what the heck is it?
(Note, can't post pictures as tech and photo support had to go to town...)

 

[JeffG]

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

^^^
I know...
Sorry, when "Tech Support" returns I'll add some.

 

[whughett]

View attachment 861154

LOL. How about a brief tutorial on this “art work”

 

[grter]

I did a little of your homework for you. The PNXXVI is an Italian date code for 1970. FIE was a Florida based importer known for importing cheap poor quality Italian black powder firearms with bad fit and finish as well as inferior materials.

This is not to say all their products were garbage and a lot of cheap old imports may only need simple fixes. Some may even be good but that may be the exception not the general expectation.

The PN probably stands for Polere Nera (black powder in Italian) the XXVI means it was proofed in 1970 and probably made very soon before being proofed. On the bright side your gun may have actually been test fired with an extra %30 over the service load by a certified Italian proof house, inspected and passed. On the not so bright side just a number of random samples of a large batch may have been proofed before marking the rest as passing the proof requirements. I could not find any info on a B in a box.

You really did not tell us much about your other than it's a .40 caliber ? side lock single shot percussion with a walnut stock.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

^^^
Thanks. All that I "knew" was what I'd posted.
Now I know more and I Thank You for that Sir.

 

[expat_alaska]

So I was cleaning up and sorting through stuff and found a single shot caplock that I must have bought further back than I can remember.

I wish I had more guns than I could keep track of.

Jim

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I wish I had more guns than I could keep track of.

Jim

Yeah well, the muzzle loader "collection" is less organized. Probably due to purchases made during a rendezvous, at night by the campfire...

 

[JeffG]

LOL. How about a brief tutorial on this “art work”

save it as a picture, upload as needed.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

On the not so bright side just a number of random samples of a large batch may have been proofed before marking the rest as passing the proof requirements.

Last time I checked, the Italian proofing houses tested ever barrel..., the Spaniards on the other hand while testing at 2x the top service load, batch tested 10%,,,, I've not found any references that the Italians ever batch tested, but it is possible.

The pistol is likely a .44 not a .45. For some reason in the '70's and '80's both pistols and rifles were produced in .44. I will guess or hypothesize that it was easier to simply use machines set up for that caliber and crank out octagon pistol barrels and octagon rifle barrels. My hunting buddy's son just got a flintlock .44 made in Italy. In good shape and a good shooter, and for under $100. It's actually marked ".44", with similar stamps on the barrel as mentioned above, though I think it's '79-'80 make. Anyway, it uses a .430 round ball.

LD

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Yeah it's definitely less than a 45 but not marked anywhere on the barrel as to caliber. 44 caliber makes sense..