Vintage Belgian Flobert Parlor Pistol 6mm/22 BB Cap Rimfire 7 3/4" Octagon C&R
LSB#: LSB260516MB001
Make: Belgian
Model: Flobert Parlor Pistol
Serial#: 2689
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1890-1920
Caliber: 6mm Flobert, .22 BB Cap
Action Type: Single shot, open breech, hammer fired pistol
Barrel Length: 7 3/4" smoothbore
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a small beaded blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a fixed V notch dovetailed into the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one piece hand carved walnut, scrolled forend, with capped pistol grip. There is handling wear. There are light scratches and compression dents throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this stock is in Good to Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is very light corrosion and pitting. In this writer's opinion this bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 45% of its original blued finish. There are scratches and light corrosion stains throughout. There are a few light spots of chemical bluing loss on the barrel. The screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable. The markings are legible. Overall this pistol is in Good to Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The lock does not function correctly. The half cock does not hold. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used guns a full cleaning may be necessary to meet your standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The 6mm Flobert occupies an important place in firearms history as one of the earliest successful self-contained metallic cartridges. Developed by Louis-Nicolas Flobert in 1845, the original cartridge consisted essentially of a percussion cap fitted with a small lead projectile and contained no separate powder charge. In American terminology, the original 6mm Flobert is generally equivalent to the .22 BB Cap. The low report and modest power made these cartridges popular for indoor target practice, giving rise to the numerous "parlor" or "saloon" pistols and rifles manufactured throughout continental Europe. Belgium's extensive Liège arms trade produced many such guns in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, frequently as inexpensive single-shot arms with simple Flobert-type actions and either rifled or smoothbore barrels.
This Belgian example retains about 45% of its original blue finish with scattered scratches, light corrosion staining, isolated finish loss, and normal handling wear. The hand-carved walnut stock remains in Good to Very Good condition with attractive period styling, scattered light scratches and compression marks, and no chips or cracks. The 7 3/4" smooth bore remains mostly bright with only very light corrosion and pitting and rates 8/10. Mechanically, the lock is deficient because the half-cock notch does not hold. With its octagonal barrel, carved walnut furniture, diminutive 6mm Flobert chambering, and classic single-shot configuration, this is an appealing survivor of the European parlor-shooting era. Due to the mechanical condition, firing is not recommended without inspection and repair by a qualified gunsmith. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
