GEORGIAN PERIOD ROYAL NAVY SEA SERVICE FLINTLOCK PISTOL
HISTORY
In the age of fighting sail, all navies were famous for the patchwork of weapons used on board their ships. The Royal Navy was no different. However by the second half of the 18th century a model of sea service pistol began to dominate amongst the tars of Britain's navy. While there were earlier versions of the sea service pistol, Britain at the time of the Seven Years War began to produce naval pistols and muskets like never before.
The sea service pistols saw extensive use during the the French and Indian War, the American Revolution and the Nelson's adventures during the Napoleonic Wars. During the 1790s, the barrel was shortened to 9 inches making it more convenient in the tangled ropes and equipment experienced by boarding parties. The shortened version is often referred to as the East India Co. Sea Service Pistol because they were the first to shorten it. By time of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and the War of 1812 there would have been a mixture of lengths of barrel on board ship.
During the War of 1812, the American navy would have had these pistols available to them, from their capture of a number of British ships especially after the Battle of Lake Erie.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
This is a very nice shortened version of the Sea Service pistol with a nine inch barrel. The barrel is plugged so the weapon cannot be fired. The two stage firing mechanism works perfectly. Nice clear markings, “TOWER” mark stamped to the lock-plate, showing that it was manufactured at the Tower of London Armoury. Belt clip still present. The woodwork is in very good condition.