Early 19th Century English Short Sea Service Flintlock Pistol With Its Lock Signed Barnett
Although obviously a 9" barrel short sea service pistol, it does not carry the Tower or Crown GR Stamps on its lock. Just visible however is the name Barnett who was a known contractor to the Board of Ordnance from 1794.
As the steelwork on this piece has suffered it means that any other identifying stamps are now illegible. I have noticed however that the inside of the trigger guard bears some kind of Inspection Stamp in the form of a Crown. There are two other marks here but they have been scratched out.
After looking into things a bit further this pistol seems to carry some interesting variations to the normal "cut down" 1801 pattern sea service pistol which is known as the 1801/16.
There is no apron carved into the stock just behind the barrel tang and the ramrod pipe still appears as for the original 1801 pattern.
These variations could simply be because it was made by an Ordnance Contractor, I don't know but I thought it was interesting enough to mention.
As stated above the steelwork shows clear evidence of corrosion, but is smooth and has rather a pleasant salt and pepper patina and the brasswork is clean and not brightly polished.
The mainspring is good and the action is smooth, but crisper to ‘lock in’ in half position than it is in full.
The stock is in very nice condition with a dark colouration and no splits or cracks, just some age related bruising.
Its steel belt hook is firmly in place, although its surface has suffered in the same way as the rest of the steelwork.
The ramrod has at some point been replaced.
We have been looking for some time to find a British flintlock sea service pistol, but they are quite sought after, which makes their acquisition tricky.
An interesting piece of Royal Navy history dating from the beginning of the 19th Century.
Barrel length 23cm, Overall length 42cm.
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
