Hey great gun gods out there. I am looking for some help. My mother-in-law just gave me a Mowrey black powder percussion pistol (I know can you believe that a mother-in-law actually gave a present to a son-in-law?) and I am trying to learn some more about it. I am having a hard time finding out info on the net and am looking to you guys and gals to help me out. It looks like a dueling pistol and has 3827 engraved on one side of the octogon barrel and 50 Mowrey Onley Texas engraved on the other side. I am assuming that the 3827 is a serial number as it is also carved in the wood under the barrel. It will not go into full cock only half cock so I know I will need a gunsmith to help me out to make it runl. Other than that just a bit of rust in the barrel and some small discoloring of the brass parts. Any info you could give would be greatly appreciated on history and price if you know.
Lets see, MIL gives you a deffective dueling pistol.......Did she keep one that looks sort of like it for herself?

Seriously, a photo might help. Interesting find.
FQ13
PS I'm not pistol guy but I do know a bit of TX history. That stamp will probably mean post 1845 if its an original. I'll see what I can dig up about Onley.
FQ13