A fine pair of German .58 calibre  percussion target pistols by Hartmann of Hamburg. Circa 1840. The 9 inch sighted octagonal iron barrels engraved with the makers name Hartmann Hamburg. Immanuel David Hartmann had a workshop at 27 Breiterstr. Hamburg 1840-1860. Decoratively engraved side plates and dolphin shaped hammers. Multi grooved rifling. Set triggers and finger rests on trigger guards. Silver oval escutcheons to each pistol. Finely chequered wooden grips terminating in a flared pommel with fan shaped decoration. Fan shaped decoration to the end of the stocks. Although shooting matches employing early firearms were held, along with archery competitions as early as the second half of the fifteenth century, it was not until the sixteenth century when the sport of target shooting gained popularity, initially in Germany and then in other nations of Western and Central Europe. Archery societies evolved into shooting clubs that held regularly scheduled competitions often coinciding with religious holidays. Monetary prizes were sometimes awarded to winners. The European custom of holding shooting matches alongside other festivities was eventually brought to the New World where target practice with firearms was already a common pastime. During the 1800s, firearms were further improved by the introduction of the percussion cap ignition mechanism. Nice crisp actions. A few minor dings and scratches otherwise in very good overall condition. A good example of a pair of German percussion target pistols by a well known maker. Ref 4334.

This is an obsolete antique pistol and is sold as a collectors item only.
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The British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Established since 1968.