{"product_id":"a-very-interesting-large-flintlock-service-pistol-possibly-portuguese-napoleonic","title":"A Very Interesting Foil Wrapped Large Flintlock Service Pistol Possibly Portuguese Napoleonic","description":"\u003ch3\u003eEarly 19th Century English Long Service Flintlock Pistol Of 0.56 Calibre With Fitted Belthook\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOk, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has similarities to the British long sea service pistol with its belt hook, 12\" barrel and 0.56\" calibre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, it also has the light dragoon type buttcap and the Eliott designed dragoon sideplate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven 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!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are just my thoughts of course.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe steelwork is in good condition with the lock having a very pleasant dark patina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mainspring is good and the action is smooth in half and full position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe frizen and spring are crisp in operation too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe belt hook isn't of the regular RN flat sea service pattern, but chamfered either side of a raised rib.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brasswork is of an unpolished patina and shows a few \"dinks\" in places.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has a brass tipped wooden ramrod that although fits nicely is most likely a working life replacement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinally 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?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvery interesting piece. I dare you to try and find another like it!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt ticks all the boxes of something we wanted in our collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarrel length 30.5cm, Overall length 46cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis 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\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Flintlock \u0026 Black Powder","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54076301181256,"sku":"482","price":825.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0808\/6962\/2088\/files\/482.1.jpg?v=1790000249","url":"https:\/\/flintlockblackpowder.co.uk\/products\/a-very-interesting-large-flintlock-service-pistol-possibly-portuguese-napoleonic","provider":"Flintlock \u0026 Black Powder","version":"1.0","type":"link"}