BRITISH VICTORIAN PATTERN 1842 PERCUSSION SEA SERVICE PISTOL DATED 1846
HISTORY
With the wider acceptance of firearms, even the Age of Sail was not immune to the evolution seen in land-based warfare. The flintlock became the accepted standardized action for guns and this method allowed for a more reliable, contained operation, birthing an all-new generation of pistols and muskets in turn. It was only a matter of time before they were adopted by the naval powers of the world to be used for boarding actions when volleying of cannon fire turned to close-ranged hand-to-hand fighting. Early navies utilized varying types of these arms aboard warships and it was not until the 18th century that the British Royal Navy began moving in the direction of standardized, naval-minded small arms. One such product became the Sea Service pistol of .54 caliber which was in use by the Royal Navy throughout its wars with neighboring France spanning approximately 1750 to 1815.
At their core, the Sea Service pistols were conventional flintlock weapons requiring a piece of flint rock to be held in a vice atop the hinged hammer-cock. The flint was then scrapped against an awaiting metal face (frizzen/flash pan) during the falling action of the hammer drop which created the necessary sparks, introduced through a small hole into the propellant basin (as part of the frizzen/flash pan) within the gun, to actuate the charge and force the ammunition ball out of the barrel. The action relied on proper tension from an included external spring, tumbler and sear/trigger lever arrangement. Flintlocks were generally inaccurate and prone to misfire, particularly in wet or damp environments though, despite this trait, they were the firearm action of choice for some 200 years before the arrival of the percussion cap which housed much of the action internally. Due to the long reloading process and single-shot firing of flintlocks, they allowed only for a single firing to be had before closer-ranged combat took place with blunt, edged or pointed weapons. From that point forwards, the weapon was relegated to use as a club or simply discarded. The single-shot nature of such guns often times forced an operator to wield several pistols a pseudo "repeat-fire" action.
The Sea Service pistol utilized a smooth, single-piece wooden stock which incorporated the grip handle. Brass was used at the trigger ring and butt while metal was exclusive to the action at the lock plate and barrel - these areas requiring material of appropriately high tolerance. The lock plate was fitted to the right side of the gun body with the barrel inlaid along the forward section. Because the charge and ball ammunition were loaded manually through the muzzle, a ramrod was integral to the design and usually of wood or brass. The ramrod was sheathed in a channel underneath the barrel and pulled out when required, ramming the contents of the barrel down towards the action.
Excellent example of a British Sea Service Pistol. 1839 pattern maker marked TOWER and dated 1846 (Crimea war period). Plenty of issue marks both on the metal parts and the walnut woodwork. Captive ramrod and belt hook still present. Working action.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
Being a percussion pistol this example is marked TOWER and dated 1846 (Crimea War period). Good Walnut wood. Many Government issue stamps including on the wood work. Good working mechanism. Captive Ramrod and belt hook still present.
This is a good example of what is becoming a rare British Naval Pistol.