Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely British Flintlock "Holster" 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 13 5/8 inches in overall length, and is fitted with a lovely 8 inch long round barre with a bore of about 0.63", about typical for the time. There was originally engraving around the breech end of the barrel and elsewhere, however it is now quite worn, along with any other marks that were present on the barrel. With all brass fittings including an escutcheon on the back of the wrist, this pistol is very typical of those carried during the early 19th century in England.

The top of the barrel is definitely worn, but we can still see the traces of the London proof marks: the CROWN / GP "Gunmakers" black powder proof and CROWN / V "viewed" marking from the London Gun Company proof house. The lock is an early design, without a frizzen reinforcement bridle and featuring a lovely "Swan Neck" cocking piece. We checked the lock action, and it is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, however overall the action is a bit slow due to internal wear.

The pistol is full-stocked, with lovely engraved brass fittings and an round brass escutcheon on the back of the grip. The butt plate has some lovely engravings as well, matching the design on the other fittings. The stock is lovely, looking to have some curl to the grain, which was at some point finished with very dark lacquer, now mostly cleaned away. There is a wooden ramrod under the barrel, which looks to be a display replacement.

A lovely holster pistol by a famous family of London gunmakers, ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1810
Caliber: 0.63" pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 8 inches
Overall Length: 13 5/8 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.

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.