A large 19th century flintlock pistol

Jim McDougall · 3rd February 2021, 05:34 AM

This is an outstanding pistol!
From what I have found, these have been termed 'Belgian Sea Service' pistols and were made in Liege for export, with England being a heavy purchaser of them. The example I found has a 14" barrel, 25" overall, and .69 cal.
It has the same narrowing stock at end with no ramrod, and at all points seems identical.
The ELG stamp is of course Liege, and apparently was required to be placed n the barrel. used 1811-1892.

The crowned 'V' is the viewers mark , Gunmakers of London, and was placed on the lock for all guns either made there or any imports brought in.

These seem larger than the East India Co. flintlocks which were produced 1820-1840, being one of the last military flintlocks for England.

It is noted that these Belgian sea service pistols were known to have seen service in the War of 1812.

3rd February 2021, 05:34 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,785	This is an outstanding pistol! From what I have found, these have been termed 'Belgian Sea Service' pistols and were made in Liege for export, with England being a heavy purchaser of them. The example I found has a 14" barrel, 25" overall, and .69 cal. It has the same narrowing stock at end with no ramrod, and at all points seems identical. The ELG stamp is of course Liege, and apparently was required to be placed n the barrel. used 1811-1892. The crowned 'V' is the viewers mark , Gunmakers of London, and was placed on the lock for all guns either made there or any imports brought in. These seem larger than the East India Co. flintlocks which were produced 1820-1840, being one of the last military flintlocks for England. It is noted that these Belgian sea service pistols were known to have seen service in the War of 1812.