On the handle of the Pistol is the engraving:
I have searched a few historical databases regarding the markings usually found on Flintlock Pistols (or pistols in general) and not found anything concrete.
Here for example it states on page 5 that 1 or 2 Stars represent the Proof Marks of an 1897 Flintlock Pistol with Smokeless Powder of French Origin.
However I cannot find any reference to "UC EL" or the 3 star variation.
Has anyone come across these kind of markings on any weapons before or have any historical references that might list such things?
Sorry if this is an inappropriate question for this subreddit but I didn't know where else to ask.
Thanks for your time and help.
A photo would help a great deal, here. You may have something genuine and 18th c. However, there were quite a number of decorative flintlock pistols produced in the Middle East through the 19th c., perhaps longer. Some of them may have been for house decoration in Istanbul, Cairo, etc but they were often purchased by tourists and brought home and there are a lot of them about. They can have some miscellaneous marks, engraved things that almost look like Western script. The quality is usually what you'd expect for something that would only be hung on the wall, commonly crudely evoking a horse pistol circa 1710-1760.
The French were actually using smokeless powder in muzzleloading pistols, apparently, in the 1950's. It's possible some French shop even made flintlocks in 1897 ( one suspects for theatrical dueling) but you should not even try to imagine loading the thing with modern smokeless powder unless you want to destroy it. And loading and firing any antique gun is not recommended, unless a qualified gunsmith has checked it out first.