Israel Segalas was a French Huguenot gunmaker who emigrated to England circa 1702 to escape the persecution of the Huguenots by the Catholics in France. He was “free of the Gunmaker’s Company by redemption” in 1715 and went on to establish a successful London based gunmaking business during the first quarter of the 18^th century. His son, also named Israel was born in 1714 and was apprenticed to London gunmaker Lewis Barber in 1729. Israel (2) was made free of the Gunmaker’s Company in 1745, and took over his late father’s business, as his father had passed in 1737. From 1738-1745, Elisabeth the wife of Israel (1) and the mother of Israel (2) had run her late husband’s business. In 1752 Israel (2) was elected Assistant by the Gunmaker’s Company and proof master in 1763, a position he was dismissed from in 1772 due to his declining health. The following year he was admitted to the Huguenot Hospital of La Provence in London, where he died in 1774. Israel’s (1) son John (Israel 2’s brother) also entered the gun trade. He was apprenticed to Joseph Hawley in 1763, but little is known of his work. The Segalas family of gunmakers is credited with being responsible for the development, or at least the popularization of small, all metal construction twist-off barrel flintlock muff-sized pistols during the first half of the 18^th century. A reasonably large number of extant pistols of this type are found marked “Segalas” or variations of the name including “Gallas”, “Se Gallas” and “Zegalas”. However, the majority of these guns do not appear to be of English origin, but rather from the gunmakers of Liège or France. Despite the fact that the Segalas name is typically associated with these diminutive pistols, it appears the story of Israel (1) “inventing” these guns or being responsible for their popularization, is quite likely apocryphal. However, both of the gunmakers named Isarel Segalas did produce high quality firearms for sporting and personal use.

Offered here is a classic example of a mid-18^th century all metal engraved flintlock muff pistol of the very type typically associated with or credited to one of the Segalas gunmakers. The diminutive pistol is quite small, measuring on 4.875” in overall length with a 1” two-stage round twist off barrel with a rudimentary cannon muzzle. The very short barrel renders sights useless on this handgun and as a result it does not have any sights. The pistol is nominally 80-Bore or about .38 caliber, and the smoothbore barrel is cut with notches to allow a barrel wrench to engage the notches to ease the removal of the barrel from the frame. As noted, the pistol is of all steel construction with a flint box lock action. The pistol features a pan-locking safety, which locks the frizzen closed when the pistol is carried. The safety is engaged by sliding the triggerguard forward and released by pulling the triggerguard backwards. The pistol is engraved with simple flowing foliate and floral images, as well as with some geometric border lines. The gun is completely unmarked and without proof marks. Due to the extremely strict proof laws in both England and in Liege, the lack of proofs indicates the gun was not made in either of those locations. Rather the pistol is of Continental origin, probably from France.

The pistol remains in VERY GOOD condition and is 100% complete and correct. It even includes an insertable muzzle wrench lug, which allows as screwdriver or rod to be used to apply more torque to the barrel to remove it from the frame. It is not clear that this tool is original to the gun from the period of use, but it has wear and age that match the pistol and it displays well with it. It also fits the muzzle and functions well with the pistol. The gun shows moderate wear and surface oxidation and has a dull pewter patina with scattered freckles and spots of oxidized discoloration. The engraving remains fairly crisp and clear throughout, but the metal does show wear and some minor impact marks, as well as some slot wear to the screw heads. The gun remains mechanically functional and is in its original flintlock configuration. The sliding pan locking safety also functions as it should, with the triggerguard sliding smoothly to engage and disengage the lock. The bore shows moderate oxidation and some light pitting but remains in good to very good condition.

Overall, this is a very nice displaying example of a type of small, palm sized self-protection flintlock pistol was popular in England and Europe during the second quarter of the 18^th century. The pistol remains in nice condition with good engraving and is mechanically functional. The inclusion of a period barrel wrench muzzle insert is a real bonus and a piece that is rarely seen with guns like this. If you collect early flintlock pistols or pocket guns in general, this will be a lovely addition to your collection for a very reasonable price.