Austrian Military Percussion Pistol - Ferdinand Fruwirth (Antique)

Austrian Military Percussion Pistol
Barrel marked Ferd Fruwirth
Broken or missing main spring.
Crisp half and full cock (but can't function without main spring)
Missing front swivel.
Nice presenting pistol
.70 Cailber smooth bore

pistol Pade by one of the more famous of the Vienna gunmakers of the 19th century, Ferdinand Früwirth. The Früwirth (also noted as Fruhwirth and sometimes Fruewürth) gunmaking family of Vienna Austria can trace their roots to gunmaker Joseph Früwirth (1722-1797). It is believed that Joseph was from Moravia and was the son of Georg Früwirth (1680-1760), who was himself a second generation Moravian gunmaker. Joseph worked as an apprentice and gunsmith at the Prince of Esterhazy at Fortchenstein Castle and became a journeyman in 1753 and became a master in 1757. That year he married the daughter of gunsmith Christoph Ries. Christoph was a well-established Vienna gunmaker who worked circa 1732-1757 and upon his death, Joseph took over his business. In 1758 he became a court gun and gun wrench maker. His son Johann (1766-1824) took over Joseph’s business circa 1789. Johann had begun his apprenticeship in 1783 and became a master in 1788. When Johann died in 1824 his widow took over the management of the business until his son Ferdinand (1813-1867) took over the business in 1834. Ferdinand became a master gunmaker in 1834, allowing him to take over his father’s shop. Ferdinand’s son Ferdinand II (1842-1892) would continue the family business until his death and would be instrumental in the development and improvement in Austrian rifle designs during the 3rd quarter of the 19th century.