History of a pistol

[Tom Browning]

Hi All,

I’m a new member and was hoping someone out there could help me learn something about an 18th Century pistol I purchased recently. There are some interesting marks on it (some I know about such as the Tower and GR stamps) but the rest are a bit of a mystery. Any help would be gratefully received.

I’ve attached some pics that hopefully will help.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jim Watson]

Here is an 1806 like yours.
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/57/143/british-tower-flintlock-martial-pistol

Question is, does the chrysanthemum stamp mean it went to Japan?

 

[WestKentucky]

I can’t help at all but that is a beautiful old gal. Do you intend to shoot it or simply admire it?

 

[Slamfire]

That is a very interesting pistol and in good shape for something that dates back to the Napoleonic wars. And the American War of 1812.

 

[Tom Browning]

Here is an 1806 like yours.
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/57/143/british-tower-flintlock-martial-pistol

Question is, does the chrysanthemum stamp mean it went to Japan?

Thanks for the link. Yes I was trying to work out the significance on the floral stamp. Thanks for identifying it! No idea if there’s some connection with Japan to be honest...

 

[Tom Browning]

I can’t help at all but that is a beautiful old gal. Do you intend to shoot it or simply admire it?

Thanks! Just admire it I’m afraid. I’m a big fan of the Napoleonic era and am hoping that this pistol might have been used at Waterloo....

 

[Tom Browning]

That is a very interesting pistol and in good shape for something that dates back to the Napoleonic wars. And the American War of 1812.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[WestKentucky]

Thanks! Just admire it I’m afraid. I’m a big fan of the Napoleonic era and am hoping that this pistol might have been used at Waterloo....

That’s too bad. A gun of that age and beauty deserves to be fired at least once by its owner. Even if it’s fired with a pinch of powder and only a paper wad to build a bit of pressure. But it is gorgeous.

 

[Tom Browning]

That’s too bad. A gun of that age and beauty deserves to be fired at least once by its owner. Even if it’s fired with a pinch of powder and only a paper wad to build a bit of pressure. But it is gorgeous.

Maybe I’ll give it a go... I live in Singapore so it might be tricky getting my hands on the right equipment though....

 

[WestKentucky]

Right equipment? A bit of black powder in the barrel, a wad of paper packed down on top of that, a little powder in the pan, flint in the lock... All you really need to find is a spoonful of black powder.

 

[DocRock]

Maybe I’ll give it a go... I live in Singapore so it might be tricky getting my hands on the right equipment though....

I can't imagine there's anywhere in Singapore to shoot it, nor that it would be much approved of.

That is a remarkable pistol. At first I thought it must be a fake/replica made to appear old, one of the Japanese RIG made replicas but the detail in terms of proof and other markings is such that the cost and workmanship would preclude that, at least to my untrained eye. It's just in such good shape for its age. Especially if it's lived in the Far East for any time.

Can't see anything that gives a date. There were often stores marks on the wood with dates. The Tower flintlock pistol was made for over a century, from @1712 through the end of the Napoleonic Wars in both Sea Service and Army pattern, as this one, as well as trade pistols. I don't know enough to tell which particular era this one is from. With not much going on around the world at the moment, you might try an email to the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. Probably some boffin sitting at home being driven to hard drugs being cooped up with the children who could give you chapter and verse on it.

Very cool.

 

[Tom Browning]

I can't imagine there's anywhere in Singapore to shoot it, nor that it would be much approved of.

That is a remarkable pistol. At first I thought it must be a fake/replica made to appear old, one of the Japanese RIG made replicas but the detail in terms of proof and other markings is such that the cost and workmanship would preclude that, at least to my untrained eye. It's just in such good shape for its age. Especially if it's lived in the Far East for any time.

Can't see anything that gives a date. There were often stores marks on the wood with dates. The Tower flintlock pistol was made for over a century, from @1712 through the end of the Napoleonic Wars in both Sea Service and Army pattern, as this one, as well as trade pistols. I don't know enough to tell which particular era this one is from. With not much going on around the world at the moment, you might try an email to the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. Probably some boffin sitting at home being driven to hard drugs being cooped up with the children who could give you chapter and verse on it.

Very cool.

Thanks.... that’s a great suggestion re. the Royal Armouries museum. I’ll give that a go. I’ve also written to Bonhams Auction house (I saw the details on another thread) and a guy replied saying he would look into it. I’ll update with anything else I find out....

 

[Jim Watson]

Let's see now, a British pistol with a Japanese royal mon in Singapore.
Makes sense to me what with all the maneuvering for control in that area of the world.

 

[Tom Browning]

Let's see now, a British pistol with a Japanese royal mon in Singapore.
Makes sense to me what with all the maneuvering for control in that area of the world.

I bought the pistol from a dealer in the UK though....

 

[Jim Watson]

Oh, well, a fun speculation.
Say, is Raffles still there?
Years ago I saw an announcement for a convention of a chemical engineering group, "Venue Raffles, Singapore." My agency wouldn't send me, though.

 

[Tom Browning]

Yep, there’s the Raffles Hotel and also a Raffles Convention Centre. Plus the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles who “founded” Singapore! It’s a great place.... been living here 20 years now.