Gun of the Day: Turkish/Balkan Rat-tail Pistols

Possibly made for an Eastern potentate in the mid-1700s, this silver-mounted pair of pistols magically resists tarnishing. While the iron barrels on this pair have had issues with corrosion over the years, they provide cathodic protection for the silver components. In chemical terms, the less noble of the two conjoined metals corrodes for both. So in this case, the silver sections of these pistols get a free ride. For those that want more than just two shots, the ramrod for this pair also conceals a stiletto dagger. And we’ve never encountered a more elaborate flint wrap – most times a simple lead sheet does pretty good service, but the filigree lattice really sets things off.

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