Early 19th Century English Long Service Flintlock Pistol Of 0.56 Calibre With Fitted Belthook
Ok, this one is a bit of a mystery to me. I have asked several notable worthies for their advice but I'll start out by saying that if any of you clever people have any thoughts or knowledge on it, I would be happy to hear from you.
It has similarities to the British long sea service pistol with its belt hook, 12" barrel and 0.56" calibre.
However, it also has the light dragoon type buttcap and the Eliott designed dragoon sideplate.
To further add to this unusual piece, we have the lock stamps which comprise of the "Tower" stamp at the tail and a Crown below the pan.........but no "GR" or Inspection Stamps. Finally the lock has a double line border.
Even with all of the above the most unusual and in my opinion rare feature is the barrel which at first looks brass, but is actually a foil wrapped iron barrel! I've never seen another!
Some of these unusual features can be explained, if this is indeed a Portuguese Military pistol from the early 19th Century, as demand outstripped supply during the Peninsular War, the fitting of belt hooks was commonplace and the mixture of fittings on the finished article understandable in the rush to provide adequate arms to the massively grown Portuguese Army.
These are just my thoughts of course.
Other information that I have received after reaching out (thank you once again for your time and effort) is that it is a commercial piece possibly made for the armament of an East India Company chartered Merchant Ship. These ships were subject to EIC regulations, one of which was to carry arms which had to meet a required standard of quality and were frequently inspected.
To the pistol itself, I believe that it is full stocked in walnut and although it is visibly in pretty good shape, there is filler around the barrel and ramrod pipe pins and there is a good thin repair on the left hand side of the forestock as well as a few small bruises.
The steelwork is in good condition with the lock having a very pleasant dark patina.
The mainspring is good and the action is smooth in half and full position.
The frizen and spring are crisp in operation too.
The belt hook isn't of the regular RN flat sea service pattern, but chamfered either side of a raised rib.
The brasswork is of an unpolished patina and shows a few "dinks" in places.
It has a brass tipped wooden ramrod that although fits nicely is most likely a working life replacement.
That brass covered barrel is also seems to be in good condition with the wrapping being intact except for a tiny section at the muzzle and a few bruises around the breech.
Finally I would say that the stock and lock feel as though they have been coated in something, maybe some kind of protection from the elements?
Avery interesting piece. I dare you to try and find another like it!
It ticks all the boxes of something we wanted in our collection.
Barrel length 30.5cm, Overall length 46cm.
This antique pistol is considered obsolete and non functioning, and is sold as a collectable ornamental item. This product is available for purchase in the UK without a license
