Need info on antique sword pistol

[BronsonPage]

A friend of mine has an old sword gun given to him by his mother. It has a 10 inch barrel attached to the left side of the blade, and the trigger is in the hand guard. It is a flintlock. I'd appreciate any information about this piece.

 

[Jim K]

The top jaw of the cock is missing, but otherwise it appears to be in decent shape. IMHO, it was intended as a weapon, as opposed to a souvenir "gun" or a recently made novelty of some kind.

Those combination guns were considered novelties at the time they were made, and were not popular, which is why they are rare. They were expensive, but the main reason they were not used was that that the pistol weight made the sword unwieldly as a sword, and the blade made the pistol unwieldly as a pistol. It was easier to carry a sword in a scabbard and a pistol or two in a sash or holsters.

It looks European and if so there should be some proof marks on the gun even if there is no maker's name.

Value? Anybody's guess is as good as mine. With no identification and no historical association, I would say maybe two or three thousand (assuming it is actually old). If it can be connected with an historical personage or activity, or a well-known maker, the price could go very high.

Jim

 

[BronsonPage]

I appreciate your informative reply. I think he is going to try to find a museum somewhere that might be interested. Thanks.

 

[Jim K]

Does the mother or anyone in the family know anything about the sword's origin?

Donation to a museum is one good approach; he can claim the value on his tax as a donation.

But getting a reasonable appraisal that will satisfy the IRS (should he be audited) might be difficult if the museum won't provide one.

Jim

 

[Big Daddy Grim]

Agreed I like the idea but have the museum give you the paper you need it makes it so much easier.

 

[Jim K]

I suggested that, but some museums won't do an evaluation; they say the value of the donation for tax purposes is between the donor and the IRS.

Jim