ROYAL NAVY PATTERN 1849
SEA SERVICE PERCUSSION PISTOL Excellent Condition

 It
has been six years since we have been able to offer a Sea Service pistol from the Tower of London Armory of this high quality.

Presented is a very rare
British Admiralty Sea Service Pattern 1849 percussion cap pistol in .50 caliber with an abundance of Crown
markings, “Broad Arrow” stamps, inspection marks and others. The Patt.
1849 Sea Service Pistol is distinguished from the Land Service Pistol of the same Era by its buttcap with swivel
eye and by its utilitarian belt hook which was only used at sea. It cocks and fires as it should.

It is in extra fine untouched condition with a
sighted smooth bore barrel. Most of the machinery is of iron, and the trigger guard, ram rod tunnel and butt plate are made
of brass. But the iron ram rod operateing on an integrated swive is missing. The iron surfaces have a smooth polished surface and the marks are sharply stamped. The stock’s finish
is varnished and there are many dents and age imperfections on the wood frame.

The obverse cheek plate is marked in front
of the goose neck hammer with a large CROWN over VR for Victoria Rex. Under the percussion drum is stamped 1855 over TOWER
over 1849. The “Tower” mark is the location that all British government arms were either made, assembled or inspected
until the time the English began to use interchangeable parts with the introduction of the Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle. There
are other marks on the barrel which are listed below. 

Markings on the obverse cheek of this pistol “V.R. over TOWER 1849”

When pictured, the “ARROW” indicates
its acceptance into British government service.

On the center of the top of the barrel, across
from the nipple on the center of the barrel, is stamped a CROWN over “17” which is over a partial crown and
the partial number “17”. Directly to the right of that series of marks is stamped a partial CROWN over the partial initials
“TP” which likely notes the inspector which is over an ARROW. This series of marks is over another CROWN over the
letter “B” which is over a “9” which is over another combined Crown and ARROW. That completes all the
marks on this pistol making it the only time we’ve seen a thoroughly marked gun from this Era.

Extensive markings on the barrel

There is no cheek plate on the left
side of the stock. The iron belt hook is 5 1/2 inches long  and is stamped with a partial CROWN over a “B”
over a “5” stamp at the screw end. The letter B could have been the maker of the parts which were assembled at the
Tower of London.

All our weapons are antiques, and are sold for display only. They are not intended to be fired.

DIMENSIONS:

Length
overall   11 3/4″      Length belt hook to the screw center 5 1/2″

Length of
barrel 6″              Bore 1/2″, .50 caliber
Weight 2 pounds

=ltr>

 

The number 18 has been added to the guard by stippling Stippling is a technique of using dots to create a shape and changing the shade by their density. It was frequently used in the work on whale’s teeth by scrimhanders. An articulated ram rod is missing This represents an untouched example of a scarce Pattern 1849 Sea Service percussion pistol assembled at the Tower of London Armory just before gun manufacturing became standardized with interchangeable parts, and the single shot percussion cap pistol was replaced by revolvers in the 1860’s. It is in “Very Good” original condition with all the metal having been polished to a bright finish. The back of the stock looks like it was used as a hammer

This
very special Royal Navy Sea Service pistol
of  1849 is a great find for that special person
who can appreciate and afford only the rarest.