Some of the most beautiful work of this craftsman, and many others, are in this book “Liège Gunmakers through their Work. 1800 - 1950”.
For more detail see: LIEGE GUNMAKERS
SPIRLET Edouard
This is a
pistol designed for recreational shooting at reasonable distances. This category
of single-shot weapons, chambered for Flobert rimfire ammunition, was all the
rage from the mid-19th century... until today, since the ammunition is still
produced today. Huge quantities of variations of this design were produced,
mainly in Liège by a myriad of craftsmen, and are generally classified in a
family known as "parlor pistols" or "garden pistols." Various calibers of
Flobert bosquets were used for these pistols; this one is chambered for 9mm.
This is a
fine example, with its Renaissance-style grip, finger-rest trigger guard, and
octagonal barrel.
Markings:
Number
63, serial number, left side of barrel.
E.
Spirlet Bté in Liège, with a logo representing the initials ES under a crown
(underside of the barrel, disassembled weapon).
Another
logo with the initials ESP in a shield held by a rearing lion, on the left side
of the barrel.
According
to these indications, the pistol was manufactured by Edouard Spirlet, a gunsmith
in Liège (1850-1876), who filed a series of patents, including two in 1864,
relating to modifications and refinements of the Flobert system mentioned on the
website.
The
following text can be read (by GP, excerpts):
"We are
therefore on the trail of a member of the Spirlet dynasty, perhaps Edouard, but
is it simply Edouard, or Edouard Père (BE 1847/1951)? … Both Edouard Spirlets
were active between 1850 and 1876....
In conclusion, this 9mm Flobert caliber parlor pistol is the product of a Liège gunsmith named Edouard Spirlet (with some uncertainty between the two namesakes).
There are no markings available to date its manufacture, but the design of
the weapon and the period of activity of the two manufacturers bearing this name
suggest production between 1865 and 1875.
Chris, HPH, Marcel
