80. Auction

English cavalry pistol, probably a replica after Pattern 1858, with swivel ramrod and brass mounts

Iron, brass, walnut. Percussion pistol of English type, probably a replica after the British cavalry Pattern 1858, cal. 16.5 mm. Black-browned round barrel, percussion lock with offset hammer. Full stock of walnut with brass fore-end cap, the brass furniture with plain trigger guard, side mounts and butt cap; on the butt an iron ring for the lanyard. The ramrod is attached to the muzzle by a swivel and remains connected to the weapon during loading. At the breech next to the lock plate and inside the trigger guard each the stamped number “840”. Age-appropriate condition, metal surfaces rubbed and with scratches, stock with dents, scratches and uneven surface colouring, mechanism functional. Please inspect. L. 35 cm

The attached swivel ramrod is a feature of cavalry weapons, because it cannot be lost in the saddle. The iron ring on the butt held the lanyard with which the pistol was secured to the rider; together these two features identify a weapon for mounted service. The British Pattern 1858 with 8-inch barrel and smooth bore was intended for the cavalry of the East India Government in India and was made by Birmingham firms into the 1870s, while in the home country percussion pistols were quickly replaced by revolvers. The pistol is a muzzle-loader with percussion ignition based on a model predating 1871. Under German weapons law, it may be acquired without a licence from the age of 18.