A British 1801 Pattern Long Sea Service Pistol

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Price: £2,590

Ref: 42061881

Item Description

A nice example of the elegant British 1801 Pattern Long Sea Service Pistol in good  condition and in crisp mechanical order. The 1801 was the fourth Sea Service Pistol Pattern. It came into use at the beginning of the peak of the British wars with France and was the last Ordnance issued pistol pattern to utilise a 12 inch barrel.

The plain .56 bore tapering barrel is stamped near the breech with King’s Ordnance proof and view marks consisting of one with a crown over “G R” with a broad arrow beneath and another with a crown with the Tower crossed sceptres acceptance mark beneath. A barrel inspectors crown is stamped on the tang with the inspectors’ number “4” beneath and the touch hole inspection mark with a crown and the number “12” is stamped near the pan.

The India Pattern flat bevelled bridled lock plate is engraved with a border line as is the ring-necked cock. The lock plate is crisply stamped with “TOWER” across the tail, a crowned “G R” cypher in front of the cock and a government ownership mark beneath the pan of a crown and broad arrow facing left. The belt hook is stamped with a crown inspection mark.

The figured walnut full stock is shaped with a raised apron around the barrel tang and stamped with two inspectors’ marks in close proximity, consisting of a crown with a “2”beneath in each case, on the stock near the trigger guard tail.

The ramrod channel is stamped near the muzzle with three inspectors mark consisting of a crown in each case with a number “0”, “2” and “15” stamped underneath in each case. The Roman numberal number “VIII” is stamped further along with a “2” beneath the “V”. The stocker’s identification stamp of “TR” is between the belt hook finial and the trigger guard.

The storekeepers’ stamp is located above the tail of the lock on the stock and consists of a crown with broad arrow beneath and the date 1806. The brass mounts are of usual regulation type. The brass tipped wooden ramrod is secured in a tapered Pratt type pipe.

The pistol is in fine condition apart from a few minor dents and dings to the stock and russet patination to the top jaw and screw as can be seen in the photos. The mechanical parts are in crisp working order and the stock has a nicely coloured chestnut patina. A nice display item.

For further examples and descriptions of these pistols see Geoff Davies, Barry Chisnall & Clive Brook, “British Ordnance Single Shot Pistols”, published by Maine Military, 2019, Chapter 7. De Witt Bailey records that 27,800 pairs of this type were made in the 11 years to 1812 when production of this pattern ceased. A copy of the book is available with this purchase.