Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely British Flintlock "Walking" Pistol, marked on the lock with RICHARDS, though unfortunately the marking is worn, so we cannot see any initials before the name. There were various makers with the last name "Richards" working in London during the early 19th century, including John Richards, William Richards, Theophilus Richards, and others. Many of these were related and worked in various partnerships over the years, so needless to say, this was a well-known and respected name in the London gun trade.
The pistol measures 9 5/8 inches in overall length, and is fitted with a lovely 5 1/8 long octagonal barrel with a large "Man-Stopping" bore of 0.67", which would definitely stop anyone in their tracks at close range. The barrel is octagonal and fairly heavy, bearing a silver inlaid band at the rear and around the touch hole.
The bottom of the barrel bears London proof marks: the CROWN / GP "Gunmakers" black powder proof and CROWN / V "viewed" marking from the London Gun Company proof house. These look to have been stamped several times, one sharper than the other, and there is also FINE TWISTED STUBBS stamped as well. This means that the barrel was forged using the twisted "stubs" from horseshoe nails, which is actually not that out of the ordinary. Many gun barrels of the 19th century were made from nails, stubs, chains, and even horseshoes, as the wear and use of these items resulted in superior barrels when they were forged and twisted.
The lock is a modern one, with a frizzen reinforcement bridle, and a roller on the end of the frizzen spring. There is also a nice safety on the rear of the lock, though it is unfortunately not functional. We checked the lock action, and it is functional, however it will fire at both full and half cock. It may be that it is not supposed to hold at half cock, but with the safety non-functional, there is no way to hold it at half cock.
The pistol is full-stocked, with lovely engraved iron fittings and an octagonal silver escutcheon on the back of the checkered grip. There is no butt plate, giving the grip a lovely streamlined look which is also very comfortable. Under the barrel is a lovely original brass fitted ramrod, which has a great "clearing worm" on the other end.
A lovely "Man-Stopping" Flintlock Walking pistol by a famous family of London gunmakers, ready to research and display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1810
Caliber: 0.67" pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 5 1/8 inches
Overall Length: 11 1/2 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
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