Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely British Officer's private purchase percussion pistol, from just before the start of Queen Victoria's long reign. It is marked on the lock plate with the name Darmen, which we were unfortunately not able to find much information on. We have seen a few other examples of their work, but have not been able to find out much else. This is the first firearm of any type that we have had by this maker, and we estimate it was made circa 1830.
It measures 13" in overall length with a heavy 7"octagonal .62" bore barrel with heavy 7 groove rifling. The top of the barrel is marked London surrounded by some engraving, and the breech plug is heavy engraved, with a gold inlay on the top and a silver inlay on the cap nipple cone booster. The pistol is fully iron mounted except for the silver barrel wedge escutcheons, with some great engraving on the trigger guard, lock plate, and hammer. It is fitted with a very nice "captured" ramrod under the barrel, like a Naval pistol. There is also an escutcheon on the back of the grip.
Pulling out the barrel wedge allowed us to remove the barrel, and the bottom is marked with the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "proof" and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" marks from the English city of Birmingham. These are the correct markings for pre-1853 manufacture. The back action lock plat features a very nice half cock safety, which is still fully functional.
Condition is very good, and the pistol features a beautiful figured walnut stock with a checkered grip area. The color is beautiful, and aside from some cracking and a missing sliver of wood on the right side, there is no real damage we can see. The metalwork shows a lovely matured patina, with no major oxidation, and the spiral forging lines in the barrel are still easily apparent. We checked the lock, and it is fully functional, holding at half cock when the safety is used. Please note that the tumbler will not hold at half cock unless the safety is set.
A lovely British Officer's pistol with some very upmarket appointments, just waiting to be in someone's British Firearms Collection. Ready to display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1830
Caliber: about .62 inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 7 inches
Overall Length: 13 inches
Action: Back Action Percussion Lock with Half-cock Safety
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. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". 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.
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