PIRATE TREASURE BARNWOOD FRAME SET
Arrrrrggh Matie this set includes a Treasure map - 10.5" x 13.5" - mounted on a beautiful rustic barnwood frame with a non-firing full-size 18th century pirate style flintlock blunderbuss pistol. Measuring 10-1/4" overall, this non-firing replica is accurately detailed and shows typical craftsmanship of the period. A great costume or conversation piece. Frame measures: 17.5" x 14.5" with wall hangers.

PIRATES AND THEIR PISTOLS
Unlike the rifles, pistols seemed to be a pirate's best friend. In most pictures of pirates, it is clear that a number of pistols were carried by each pirate. In most pictures of BlackBeard, at least a half dozen pistols, assumed loaded and ready, can be seen in his sash.

Flintlock pistols were so called because the lock uses a flint to strike sparks into the priming pan when the trigger is pulled. A small amount of gunpowder in this pan is ignited, which in turn ignites the main gunpowder charge in the barrel, firing the lead ball. Both the main charge and the ball were loaded from the front, or muzzle, of the barrel, after which the priming charge was poured into the pan – all very time consuming! Often the priming charge would burn but fail to ignite the main charge – whence the expression flash in the pan!

The butt had a rounded and sometimes metal base (known as a skull crusher butt cap) so the pistol could be used as a club once fired. Issued either singularly or in pairs, the sea pistol had an effective range of only 3 or 4 yards. It would be fired and then thrown away to hopefully be retrieved after the fight.

Pirates of the 18th century carried pistols similar to this English flintlock in their raiding exploits. As such skirmishes rarely included time-outs for reloading, a cutlass would accompany the pistol. Decorated in detail typical of the period, this non-firing replica is great for the piratically inclined!