A very fine carbine bore Flintlock Cavalry Holster Pistol dating to the middle of the 18th century.  The pistol is in excellent condition and due to subtleties in its features is highly likely to be from the state of Hanover.  The British King George III was the Elector of Hanover at this time when there were established relationships between the Britain and mainly seven German states, of which Hanover was one, that provided German troops under contract to serve in the British Army.

The pistol is in excellent condition and in crisp mechanical working order. It is an  imposing piece of higher quality than the more usual military arms of the time. It has a flat bevelled lock, an unbridled faceted pan and frizzen, and faceted jaws. The full walnut stock is well figured and moulded around the tang, sides and fore end. The brass mounts are well formed and consist of a beveled side-plate,  vacant oval escutcheon, a faceted and linearly engraved spurred pommel, a protective finial to the fore end, ribbed and faceted ramrod-pipes and a tapering ramrod with a brass cap. The barrel has a sighted tang and a  brass front sight.

Until recently the pistol was part of the collection of Robert Booker in the USA (collection inventory number 2079) who is a respected authority and accomplished writer on early European pistols. The above description is based upon his collection catalogue entry.

The barrel is 13.25 inches (33.5 cm) long and overall the pistol is 21.25 inches (54 cm)  long.