Can anyone please give me any clues about this item?

[nostalgiacentral]

This is a flintlock type pistol thingy, with a candle holder on one side. There is a small opening box in front of the spark mechanism, I assume for tinder. But I have no idea what to call it, or how to describe it.
I hope I can add some photos. And thanks for any help any one can offer.

[nostalgiacentral]

[IMG][/IMG]

[terry5732]

[nostalgiacentral]

[IMG][/IMG]

[PoppyGrove]

It looks like its something that could be on the tables in the offices mess - I'd say the holder bit would be for matches and the pistol bit just for decoration - although I could be wrong. It could also be what is reffered to as 'trench art' and at another guess, a one off - not mass produced, making it unique. Although, as I say, I could be wrong as its not my area of expertise.

[nostalgiacentral]

Thanks for your reply. It's stamped on one side made in Italy, so not trench art. Also the flint mechanism works and gives a good spark, so I don't think it will be for matches.

[Pink_Panther]

It looks to me that the 'candle' holder is in fact a match holder - your last pic shows what I believe to be the 'striker'.

Prob around WWI vintage.

Mind you! I could be way off the mark - but that's my feeling for this piece.

<wish he'd posted that earlier!

Feel daft now! >

[Gill]

Vintage candle holder sounds a good idea. I'm wondering if the 'clamp' part lights the candle by pulling the trigger as there's a spark.

Love the dog. He/she is just what I'm after.

[nostalgiacentral]

A new theory we have just come up with is that you use the spark thing to light a candle, then you can carry this around the house lighting the other candles, and it lights your way. Does that sound mad?

[Gill]

I would have thought the 'gun' part is the stand so it can be placed on a table or suchlike. I'm 99% sure it wouldn't have been used for lighting other candles.