12. Hand Gun Handles - Feuerwaffen...Arsenal Tower, London Photo: RiHo, Page 74 320 12. Hand Gun Handles Pear-Shaped Pistol Handles Fig. 12 – 34 Ca. 1740: Flint Lock Pistol France

12. Hand Gun HandlesHand Cannon Handles 311

12. Hand Gun Handles

Literature Durdik, Jan, Alte Feuerwaffen, Hanau, 1977, DuJaHeld, Robert, The Age of Firearms, Nortgfield, 1979, HeRoHoff, Arne, Feuerwaffen, Bd. 1, Braunschweig, 1969, HoArLugs, Jaroslav, Handfeuerwaffen, Berlin, 1956, LuJaMüller, Heinrich, Gewehre, Pistolen, Revolver, Berlin, 1997, MüHePeterson, Harold L., Armes à Feu, Paris, 1963, PeHaPeterson, Harold L., Berühmte Handfeuerwaffen, Munich, 1975, PeHaLPope, Dudley, Feuerwaffen, Genf, 1971, PoDuWilkinson, Frederick, Alles über Handfeuerwaffen, Zollikon, 1977, WiFrInformation of Museums and Private Collections

Remarks

Very little information is available about pistol stocks prior to theintroduction of the wheel lock. This is not really surprising since the ignitionsystem for pistols was not satisfactorily solved until the introduction ofsnaphaunce and wheel locks.

In this chapter as well is an attempt to systematically arrange the handleshapes of handguns. Apart from a few exceptions mainly handgun handlesfrom Europe are listed.

Hand Guns-Handle Shapes in Pictures

Hand Cannon Handles

In early times of firearms, so-called hand cannons represented the smallest possibleweapons used in warfare. They were probably held with bare hands at the narrowestplace, and were without a wooden stock.

Fig. 12 – 1 Ca. 1360:Hand CannonMoravská Trebovã, CzechRepublic

Museum Moravska TrebovaCzech RepublicPhoto: DuJa, Page 25

12. Hand Gun Handles Dagger Pistol Handles312

Dagger Pistol Handles

The oldest preserved wheel lock pistols from around 1530 have handles that resembledagger handles. Early on, it was realized that this type of handle was not ideal for aimingat objects.

Fig. 12 – 2 Ca. 1534:Wheel Lock PistolKing Karl VBavaria, Germany

Real Armeria, MadridPhoto: HaJo, Vol. 1, Photo10a

Fig. 12 – 3 Ca. 1550:Double Barrel Wheel LockPistolFerdinand von Tirol, Austria

Metropolitan Museum, New YorkPhoto: HaJo, Vol. 1, Photo 7a

Fig. 12 – 4

Ca. 1600: Double Barrel Wheel Lock Pistol, GermanyGerman Historical Museum, Berlin; Photo: SaAd, Page 124

Fig. 12 – 5

Ca. 1780: Hirschfänger with Flint Lock Pistol, EnglandVictoria and Albert Museum, London; Photo: SaAd, Page 256

12. Hand Gun HandlesFishtail Pistol Handles 313

Fishtail Pistol Handles

In this design, the pistol handle tapers to a flat part similar to a fish tail. From 1520 –1680, fish tail pistol handles were popular mainly in the Maritime areas of France, Italy,Northern Germany, Scotland and England.

Fig. 12 – 6 Ca. 1550:Brescian Wheel Lock Pistol

Fernando Paratici, Brescia, Italy

Private collectionPhoto: KuPe

Fig. 12 – 7 Ca. 1556:Wheel Lock Pistol, Germany

Andreas Teuffel, SouthernGermany

German Historical Museum, BerlinPhoto: MüHe, Page 67

Fig. 12 – 8 Ca. 1570:Wheel Lock PistolGermany

Wallace Collection, LondonPhoto: PoDu, Page 58

Fig. 12 – 9 Ca. 1620:Wheel Lock PistolBavaria, Germany

Bavarian National Museum, MunichPhoto: PeHa, Page 59

12. Hand Gun Handles Fishtail Pistol Handles314

Fig. 12 – 10 Ca. 1640:Wheel Lock PistolZürich, Switzerland

Owner unknownPhoto: SaAd, Page 46


Private collection;Photo: KuPe

Fig. 12 – 12 Ca. 1650:Catalan Snaphaunce PistolSpain


Fig. 12 – 13 Ca. 1680:Flintlock PistolSpain

Owner unknownPhoto: CiAl, Page 30

12. Hand Gun HandlesBall-Shaped Pistol Handles 315

Ball-Shaped Pistol Handles

On an other, 2nd style from 1550-1650, the pistol handle ends in a ball-shaped knob.Over all, it can be observed that the ball-shaped handle was mainly known in centralEurope. The Ripoll handle from Catalonia probably represents the most distinct ball-shape.

Fig. 12 – 14 Ca. 1560:Wheel Lock PistolNürnberg, Germany

Owner unknownPhoto: PoDu, Page 79

Fig. 12 – 15 Ca. 1560:Wheel Lock PistolSweden

Erich XIV of Sweden

Kungliga Livrustkammaren, Stockholm; Photo: PoDu, Page 100

Fig. 12 – 16 Ca. 1570:Miniature Wheel Lock PistolGermany




12. Hand Gun Handles Ball-Shaped Pistol Handles316

Fig. 12 – 18 Ca. 1590:Wheel Lock PistolAugsburg, Germany


Fig. 12 – 19 Ca. 1590:Wheel Lock PistolSouthern Germany

Owner unknownPhoto: RiHo, Page 28

Fig. 12 – 20 Ca. 1650:Ripoll Wheel Lock PistolSpain


Fig. 12 – 21 Ca. 1780:Snaphaunce PistolCaucasus, Russia


12. Hand Gun HandlesPine Cone Pistol Handles 317

Pine Cone Pistol Handles

From 1600-1650, in some areas the ball pistol handle developed into the pinecone pistolhandle.

Fig. 12 – 22 Ca. 1610:Snaphaunce PistolNetherlands

Wallace Collection, LondonPhoto: CiAl, page 44

Fig. 12 – 23 Ca. 1610:Wheel Lock PistolDresden, Germany

German Historical Museum, BerlinPhoto: MüHe, page 61



Fig. 12 – 25 Ca. 1680:Snaphaunce PistolEngland

Owner unknownPhoto: PoDu, page 159

12. Hand Gun Handles Pear-Shaped Pistol Handles318

Pear-Shaped Pistol Handles

In the 18th Century, the esthetically designed pear-shaped pistol handles became verypopular. The base of the handle was usually decorated with a brass knob.

Fig. 12 - 26 Ca. 1640:Swivel Breach Flint LockPistolParis, France

For left handed shootersball knob handle from wood

Wistow Hall, LeicestershirePhoto: PoDu, Page 149

Fig. 12 – 27 Ca. 1655:Flint Lock PistolNetherlands

Jan Cleuter, Grevenbroicht

Livrustkammaren Skokloster, SwedenPhoto: KiJN, Page 160

Fig. 12 – 28 Ca. 1660:Flint Lock PistolSpain


Fig. 12 – 29 Ca. 1690:War Axe Wheel Lock PistolGermany


12. Hand Gun HandlesPear-Shaped Pistol Handles 319

Fig. 12 – 29 Ca. 1690:Snaphaunce PistolBologna, Italy

Wallace Collection, LondonPhoto: KuPe

Fig. 12 – 31 Ca. 1700:Flint Lock PistolFrance

Bertrand Piraub, Paris

Wallace Collection, LondonPhoto: MüHe, Page 70

Fig. 12 – 32 Ca. 1720:Flint Lock Officer’s PistolFrance


Fig. 12 – 33 Ca. 1730:Flint Lock PistolIndia

Manufactured by the LucknowArsenal

Tower, LondonPhoto: RiHo, Page 74

12. Hand Gun Handles Pear-Shaped Pistol Handles320


Owner unknownPhoto: VoEm, page 32


Owner unknownPhoto: VoEm, Page 0


Francisco Lopez


Fig. 12 – 37 Ca. 1780:Snaphaunce PistolPersia


12. Hand Gun HandlesPear-Shaped Pistol Handles 321

Fig. 12 – 38 Ca. 1800:Snaphaunce PistolCaucasus, Russia


Fig. 12 – 39 Ca. 1840:Miquelet Percussion PistolSpain

Converted Catalan Flint Lock


Fig. 12 – 40 Ca. 1870:Officer’s Percussion PistolEngland


12. Hand Gun Handles Beak-Shaped Pistol Handles322

Beak-Shaped Pistol Handles

With these beak-shaped pistol handles, the distinct ball-shape was abandoned around1720. The practicality of the beak-shape became more important than a stylish shape,without abandoning an appealing handle. They were well received in many Europeancountries from 1720-1850, for private and military weapons.

Fig. 12 – 41 Ca. 1750:Flint Lock Pocket PistolSegalas, London, England

Contamporary replica, Belgium


Fig. 12 – 42 Ca. 1760 / 1850:Percussion Pistol, ConvertedBelgium

André Mercier, Liège, Belgium


Fig. 12 – 43 Ca. 1777:Cavalry Pistol M. 1777France


12. Hand Gun HandlesBeak-Shaped Pistol Handles 323

Fig. 12 – 44 Ca. 1850:Percussion Over and UnderPistolBrescia, Italy

Nefsi, Brescia, Italy


Fig. 12 – 45 Ca. 1850:Cavalry Pistol M. 1850Saxony

P. J. Malherbe, Liège, Belgium


Fig. 12 – 46 Ca. 1850:Pepper Box RevolverGermany


Fig. 12 – 47 Ca. 1855:Derringer Pocket PistolAmerica

Henry Derringer, Philadelphia

Owner unknown;Photo: PeHa, page 114

12. Hand Gun Handles Beak-Shaped Pistol Handles324

Fig. 12 – 48 Ca. 1860:Percussion Over and UnderPistolLiège, Belgium


Fig. 12 – 49 Ca. 1860:Lefaucheux RevolverParis, France


Fig. 12 – 50 Ca. 1880:Miniature Pocket PistolLiège, Belgium


Fig. 12 – 51 Ca. 1900:Remington Over an UnderDerringerAmerica


12. Hand Gun HandlesBent Pistol Handles 325

Bent Pistol Handles

From about 1810, the bent pistol handle for duel, target and officer’s pistols, flourished.In England they where manufactured initially in metal and later in wood as well. In themiddle of the 19th century, bent pistol handles had a large influence in all of Europe.These handles have an almost right-angled shape that allowed the pistol to be held with aclosed fist, in a natural position that extended the barrel from the lower arm. Apparently,this made aiming more accurate and was most likely the beginning of the pistol handlewe know today.

Fig. 12 – 52 Ca. 1810/ 50:Percussion PistolGendarmerie, ConvertedSwitzerland


Fig. 12 – 53 1816:Officer’s Flint Lock PistolFrance

Imperial Guard


Fig. 12 – 54 Ca. 1830/60:Percussion PistolConvertedFrance


12. Hand Gun Handles Bent Pistol Handles326

Fig. 12 – 55 Ca. 1840:Officer’s Percussion PistolEngland

With percussion cap container inthe handle


Fig. 12 – 56 1842:Percussion PistolGendarmerieFrance

Owner unknownPhoto: VoEm, page 74

Fig. 12 – 57 Ca. 1850:Tromblon PistolSpain


Fig. 12 – 58 Ca. 1854:Cavalry Percussion PistolEngland


12. Hand Gun HandlesBent Pistol Handles 327

Fig. 12 – 59 Ca. 1870:Percussion PistolSwitzerland

J. Paul, Lausanne, Switzerland


Fig. 12 – 60 Ca. 1880:Flobert PistolFrance

Private collection Photo: KuPe

Fig. 12 – 61 Ca. 1880:Pepper Box PistolEngland


12. Hand Gun Handles Ornate Pistol Handles328

Ornate Pistol Handles

Along with these designated pistol handles, there was also an abundance of artisticallyand outstandingly crafted pistol handles. Even though some of these ornate handles couldbe categorized into the previously listed groups, some particularly beautiful examples willbe shown here.

Fig. 12 – 62 1590:Large Caliber Wheel LockPistolFrance


Fig. 12 – 63 Ca. 1610:All Metal Flint Lock Pistol Scotland

Owner unknownPhoto: CiAl, page 44


Franz Claessen, Herzogenbusch,Netherlands

Skokloster Castle, SwedenPhoto: KiJB, Page 33

12. Hand Gun HandlesOrnate Pistol Handles 329

Fig. 12 – 65 Ca. 1660:Wheel Lock PistolTeschen



Leonhard Cleuter, MaestrichtNetherlands

Livrustkammaren Slokoster, SwedenPhoto: KiJB, Page 161

Fig. 12 – 67 Ca. 1725:Ornate Flint Lock PistolGermany

Owner unknownPhoto: DuJa, Page 98

Fig. 12 – 68 Ca. 1750:Swivel Flint Lock PistolAugsburg, Germany

Owner unknownPhoto: HoRi, Page 75

12. Hand Gun Handles Ornate Pistol Handles330

Fig. 12 – 69 Ca. 1780:Naval Officer’s PistolFrance

Pruhc and Tulle, France



Francisco Lopez

Wallace Collection, LondonPhoto: KuPe

Fig. 12 – 71 Ca. 1800:Flint Lock Pocket PistolFrance

Pirmet, Paris


Fig. 12 – 72 Ca. 1850:Percussion Swivel PistolEngland

Ivory Butt

Owner unknownPhoto: RiHo, Page 95

12. Hand Gun HandlesBalkan Pistol Handles 331

Balkan Pistol Handles

In many societies, especially in eastern countries, a decorated pistol belonged to thepossesions of an adult male. Besides the knob shaped pistol handles, occasionally riflestock shaped handles were used on Tromblons.

Fig. 12 – 73 Ca. 1800:Osmanian Tromblon PistolTurkey


Fig. 12 – 74 Ca. 1850:Osmanian Flint Lock PistolTurkey


Fig. 12 – 75 Ca. 1870:Albanian Flint Lock PistolAlbania


Fig. 12 – 76 Ca. 1880:Osmanian/Greek Flint LockPistol


12. Hand Gun Handles Revolver Handles332

Revolver Handles

From 1840 on, various handle shapes developed for revolvers. For certain companies, itwas very important to have their specific shape as well as ergonomic characteristics in thedesign of the pistol handles.

Fig. 12 – 77 Ca. 1860:Lefaucheux Revolver

Pin Fire, Liège, Belgium


Fig. 12 – 78 Ca. 1863:Remington RevolverM. 1863America


Fig. 12 – 79 Ca. 1868:Smith and Wesson Revolver

Model 1, America


12. Hand Gun HandlesRevolver Handles 333

Fig. 12 – 80 Ca. 1870:Nine Shot Revolver

System Le Mat, Paris, France


Fig. 12 – 81 Ca. 1900:Constabulary RevolverEngland


Fig. 12 – 82 Ca. 1900:Pocket Revolver withFolding Handle

Liège, Belgium


12. Hand Gun Handles Specialty Pistol Handles334

Specialty Pistol Handles

In the field of hand guns, there are some models that are neither pistol nor revolver.These are mainly multiple shot weapons that could be disguised and held in one hand.

Fig. 12 – 83 Ca. 1860:Apache Knuckle DusterAmerica

Eight shots; handle is built as aknuckle duster; switch blade; pinfire

Owner unknownPhoto: BaDE, Page 51

Fig. 12 – 84 Ca. 1865:My Friend RevolverAmerica

Five shots, James ReidNew York, USA

Private collectionPhoto: BeDe, Page 50

Fig. 12 – 85 Ca. 1890:Pocket Knife FirearmGermany

Pin fire cartridge

Owner unknownPhoto: BaDe, Page 51

Fig. 12 – 86 Ca. 1893:Gaulois PistolFrance

Five shots


12. Hand Gun HandlesSpecialty Pistol Handles 335

Fig. 12 – 87 Ca. 1895:Protector PistolAmerica

Jacques Turbiaux, Paris, France


Fig. 12 – 88 Ca. 1906:Shatuck Unique PocketPistol, America

Four shotsO. Mossberg, Massachusetts,USA

Owner unknownPhoto: BaDe, Page 50

Fig. 12 – 89

Ca 1820: Flint Lock Pistols Built into Bible, ItalyOwner unknown, Photo: RiHo, Page 67

12. Hand Gun Handles Pistols with Detachable Stock336

Pistols with Detachable Stock

It is interesting that very early, it was attempted to elongate pistol handles with a rifle shaftso that the pistol could be aimed and shot with the same accuracy as a rifle. Already atthe end of the 16th century there were pistols that had an attachment for a stock. In themiddle of the 18th century, this principle reached its peak. After a slump in production, thissystem was rediscovered in the 2nd half of the 19th century and occasionally is still used.

Fig. 12 – 90 Ca. 1700:Percussion PistolGermany

Drechsler, Hannover, Germany


Fig. 12 – 91 Ca. 1770:Flint Lock PistolOsmania


Fig. 12 – 92 Ca. 1850:Percussion PistolEngland

Purdey, London, England


Fig. 12 – 93 Ca. 1870:Percussion PistolLondon, England


Documents

12. Hand Gun Handles - Feuerwaffen...Arsenal Tower, London Photo: RiHo, Page 74 320 12. Hand Gun Handles Pear-Shaped Pistol Handles Fig. 12 – 34 Ca. 1740: Flint Lock Pistol France