Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Cathey · 25th March 2016, 04:31 AM

Hi Guys

I agree that the pistol featured in this post is not a sea service. We have three of the long Sea Service pistols in our collection and they are very distinctive in design. The one I have included in this post is Circa 1800.

Dimensions: Overall 49.2 cm, 19.6 inches, Barrel 30.7 cm, 12 inches
Marks, etc.: George III cypher over "TOWER.", The stock behind the lock appears to be branded "1800" under a crown. There are additional issues stamps in the stock and under the ram rod including TP 4 GR. Belt hook has crown & 7.

Description
Sea service pistol with lock bearing the standard George III cypher over "TOWER." The .56-caliber barrel is 12" and marked at the breech with government view and proof stamps. The stock behind the lock appears to be branded "1800" under a crown. There are additional issues stamps in the stock and under the ram rod including TP 4 GR. The later style lock and a thicker stock immediately distinguish this early 19th-century pistol from the earlier 18th-century examples. Again, the overall length is 19" and it has a steel belt hook.

General Remarks
This basic form was adopted by the British Navy as its Patterns 1756. This example is Pattern 1756/1777 having an improved lock added at the later date (that is two screw ends visible behind the cock and no date below “TOWER” on the tail), plus a new rounded pan. The basic characteristics however remain the same as the original 1718 version of this design: a 12” pinned barrel (0.56 calibre); a flat lock with a ring cock; a narrow pan (no fence); the absence of both bridles; a single cast rammer pipe (wooden rod); the land service-type hazelnut trigger guard that adds a rear spur in the bow; a walnut stock providing beaver-tail carving at the barrel tang; a simple butt cap; and no nose band. A hole visible in the typical flat side plate tail anchored a stud on the belt hook’s base – held, in turn, by a lengthened rear side plate screw. A top screw secures the barrel tang; there is not trigger plate. Tower proofs are struck into the breach, while both “TOWER” and “crown/GR/broad arrow” are on the lock. These plain but sturdy pistols were often thrown or used as clubs after firing during close deck action.

References:
GILKERSON, William BOARDERS AWAY II: FIREARMS OF THE AGE OF FIGHTING SAIL pp248
HAWKINS, Peter THE PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE GUNS & PISTOLS Pp238
MILLER, Martin THE COLLECTOR'S ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO FIREARMS Pp92-93
NEUMANN, George G. BATTLE WEAPONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Pp249
WILKINSON, Frederick SMALL ARMS 256p

Cheers Cathey and Rex

25th March 2016, 04:31 AM	#20
Cathey Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: adelaide south australia Posts: 284	LONG SEA SERVICE PISTOL Hi Guys I agree that the pistol featured in this post is not a sea service. We have three of the long Sea Service pistols in our collection and they are very distinctive in design. The one I have included in this post is Circa 1800. Dimensions: Overall 49.2 cm, 19.6 inches, Barrel 30.7 cm, 12 inches Marks, etc.: George III cypher over "TOWER.", The stock behind the lock appears to be branded "1800" under a crown. There are additional issues stamps in the stock and under the ram rod including TP 4 GR. Belt hook has crown & 7. Description Sea service pistol with lock bearing the standard George III cypher over "TOWER." The .56-caliber barrel is 12" and marked at the breech with government view and proof stamps. The stock behind the lock appears to be branded "1800" under a crown. There are additional issues stamps in the stock and under the ram rod including TP 4 GR. The later style lock and a thicker stock immediately distinguish this early 19th-century pistol from the earlier 18th-century examples. Again, the overall length is 19" and it has a steel belt hook. General Remarks This basic form was adopted by the British Navy as its Patterns 1756. This example is Pattern 1756/1777 having an improved lock added at the later date (that is two screw ends visible behind the cock and no date below “TOWER” on the tail), plus a new rounded pan. The basic characteristics however remain the same as the original 1718 version of this design: a 12” pinned barrel (0.56 calibre); a flat lock with a ring cock; a narrow pan (no fence); the absence of both bridles; a single cast rammer pipe (wooden rod); the land service-type hazelnut trigger guard that adds a rear spur in the bow; a walnut stock providing beaver-tail carving at the barrel tang; a simple butt cap; and no nose band. A hole visible in the typical flat side plate tail anchored a stud on the belt hook’s base – held, in turn, by a lengthened rear side plate screw. A top screw secures the barrel tang; there is not trigger plate. Tower proofs are struck into the breach, while both “TOWER” and “crown/GR/broad arrow” are on the lock. These plain but sturdy pistols were often thrown or used as clubs after firing during close deck action. References: GILKERSON, William BOARDERS AWAY II: FIREARMS OF THE AGE OF FIGHTING SAIL pp248 HAWKINS, Peter THE PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE GUNS & PISTOLS Pp238 MILLER, Martin THE COLLECTOR'S ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO FIREARMS Pp92-93 NEUMANN, George G. BATTLE WEAPONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Pp249 WILKINSON, Frederick SMALL ARMS 256p Cheers Cathey and Rex Attached Images