This belt pistol is stocked in curly maple, stained to a dark brown with golden highlights to best display the figure. The iron furniture and barrel are finished to gray brown patina. The L&R John Bailes flintlock is finished to a dark brown. This slender pistol does have a patch to repair a ramrod channel break through. The barrel is signed by contemporary maker James Turpin.
The 7-3/4" straight octagon barrel has been draw filed smooth and finished to a silvery gray brown. The .42 caliber bore is mirror bright, cut rifled seven lands and grooves The barrel is fitted with a small blade front sight dovetailed behind the muzzle. No rear sight is finished in belt pistol fashion, where it was designed to be fired at close range.
The L&R John Bailes flintlock is finished to a dark brown. The lock has a crisp action and a well hardened frizzen. When using our best 5/8" knapped English gun flints, the lock will throw a shower of sparks into the pan. A stainless steel vent liner has been installed on this pistol. The vent liner is concave inside to bring the main powder charge very close to the incandescent heat of the priming flash. Well positioned on the center of the pan, slightly above the pan to frizzen joint, sometimes called the "sunset" position. The vent hole is centered on the heat of the priming flash, for instant ignition, without the whoosh-bang delay, seen in many flint guns.
The stock is shaped with a very slender bird's head grip fitted with a patina finished grip cap. The barrel is breeched with a pointed thumbnail tang. The tang is surrounded by a raised panel. A single tang bolt extends down into the triggerplate below. Inletting on this pistol is excellent with tightly fitted metal to wood. The triggerguard is mounted with pins and screw. The forearm does have a square patch where the ramrod channel broke through the slender forearm. The fitted patch is very well done. The ramrod is fitted with a flared brass tip, but has no provisions for threaded accessories. The lock bolts are each fitted to individual sideplates. The front is a tear drop, while the rear is a lozenge style.
Signed by a well known contemporary maker the lock sparks well and the bore is bright and has been well maintained. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.
