{"product_id":"rare-military-contract-flintlock-pistol-by-wheeler","title":"Rare Military Contract Flintlock Pistol By Wheeler","description":"\u003ch3\u003eEarly 19th Century British Ordnance Canadian Indian Pistol With Broad Arrow Inspection And Dated Storekeepers Stamps\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very interesting and scarce Board Of Ordnance Contract pistol made by Robert Wheeler (one of 16 Gunmakers so employed) to assist with the supply of arms in the War of 1812 in Canada. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI understand that the British Board Of Ordnance ordered a total of 26,786 firearms from the 16 contractors during the War of which Wheeler produced 1,491.  A total of 2,636 were pistols, but unfortunately it is unknown how many of Wheeler's 1,491 were pistols.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRobert Wheeler was a Birmingham based gun and pistol maker and there was a Senior and Junior who carried that name;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRobert Senior is listed from 1766-1783, after which Robert Junior joined him and pistols were marked Wheeler \u0026amp; Son until 1798.  In 1799 Robert Senior passed away and his son took over, meaning that pistols were once again signed Wheeler until 1813, after which they begin to be marked Wheeler \u0026amp; Son again for another decade.  There are two more alterations like this until 1843.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the Ordnance Storekeepers Stamp this one sits correctly in the 1799-1813 timeframe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe had several contracts to supply arms, including one for the Hudson Bay Company for Indian Trade Guns, but with the Ordnance Stamps, this is not one of those.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOk, to the pistol itself......\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull stocked in walnut with brass ramrod pipe, trigger guard, buttcap and Military sideplate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe steelwork is in good condition and smooth surfaced with the exception of an area around the touch hole which is pitted and there is a \"bite\" mark on the barrel just behind the Proof Marks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese Proof Marks are the Crown GR Broad Arrow and Crown Cross Scepters of the British Ordnance and there are several other worn Inspection Stamps and initials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lock is very clean with simple border line engraving and signed Wheeler.  It also carries the Crowned Broad Arrow Inspection stamp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe barrel and the lock were the two parts of these Contractor firearms that were required to be sent for inspection and proofing in the Tower by the Board of Ordnance, although this piece does seem to have a couple of Crown Inspection stamps on the stock by the trigger guard and then there is the dated Crown GR cypher Storekeepers stamp of 1800 on the butt behind the lockplate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mainspring is in good and the action, although not crisp is also good in both half and full positions (the video shows this clearly). The stock is in good condition with only a few bruises and one closed up crack at the muzzle on the right hand side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wooden ramrod might be a replacement, but it is difficult to tell as frustratingly I cannot remove it!  I'm unwilling to apply more pressure on it for fear of damage, although I feel it will free up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI was originally unaware of what we had here, but the research has been most enjoyable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rare well stamped piece of history in good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarrel length 23cm,  Overall length 38.5cm\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\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Flintlock \u0026 Black Powder","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52559464694088,"sku":"377","price":895.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0808\/6962\/2088\/files\/377.1_ab1782b9-98c4-4549-a759-a9f9083444c2.jpg?v=1772203894","url":"https:\/\/flintlockblackpowder.co.uk\/products\/rare-military-contract-flintlock-pistol-by-wheeler","provider":"Flintlock \u0026 Black Powder","version":"1.0","type":"link"}