Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic original mid 18th century Prussian Model 1742 Flintlock Cavalry Pistol, the pattern carried by mounted troops including Hussars, Dragoons, and other cavalry formations of the Prussian Army during the reign of Frederick II, Frederick the Great. The pistol has an exceptionally attractive untouched appearance, with no obvious signs of modern restoration or aggressive polishing.

The substantial lock has the classic Germanic “banana” shaped profile with an angular rear teat, together with the correct unbridled frizzen and faceted flash pan. The face of the lock is clearly marked:

POTZDAM MAGAZ

This is an abbreviated form of Potsdam Magazin, referring to the important Prussian arms center at Potsdam. Military firearms produced and assembled there during the mid 18th century are frequently encountered with Potsdam arsenal markings.

One of the most desirable features of this pistol is the intact oval brass escutcheon set into the back of the wrist. It bears the crowned royal cypher:

CROWN / F R

The initials stand for Fridericus Rex, or King Frederick, identifying the arm with the reign of Frederick II of Prussia, who ruled from 1740 until 1786. These royal cyphers are sometimes encountered intentionally defaced on surviving examples, making the complete cypher on this pistol particularly appealing.

The pistol has a substantial approximately .67 caliber smoothbore barrel measuring 12 inches long, secured to the stock by transverse pins. Overall length is approximately 19 1/2 inches.

The barrel is somewhat shorter than some Model 1742 examples encountered today, and it is possible that it was shortened during its service life. We see no documentation establishing when or why this occurred, so this should remain a possibility rather than a firm conclusion.

The furniture is brass throughout. It includes the characteristic faceted trigger guard, long eared butt cap, and flat serpentine side plate. The flat profile of the side plate is an important feature distinguishing this pattern from the earlier Prussian Model 1731, which used a more prominently raised side plate.

There is no lanyard loop presently fitted to the butt. Whether this represents a period variation, a missing component, or another alteration during the pistol’s long service life is uncertain.

The stock is particularly attractive, retaining excellent color and extensive original style carved detailing. Decorative “island” carving surrounds the lock, side plate, and other furniture. There are numerous dents, scratches, and handling marks consistent with military use and more than two centuries of age, but we see no significant structural damage from the supplied description.

The iron barrel and lock have developed a very pleasing untouched gray and brown patina rather than showing the bright appearance produced by aggressive cleaning. The brass furniture likewise has an excellent aged surface.

Mechanically, the flintlock remains functional. The cock holds correctly at half cock and releases from full cock when the trigger is pulled.

The pistol also retains a brass tipped ramrod, whose aged surface matches the rest of the pistol extremely well.

Prussian cavalry pistols of this general type are particularly interesting to American collectors because German auxiliary troops employed by Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War carried a wide variety of German military arms. Troops commonly described collectively as “Hessians” actually came from several German states, and Prussian manufactured arms could circulate well beyond Prussia itself. It is therefore entirely plausible for pistols of this general type to have appeared in North America during the Revolutionary era, although there is no surviving provenance specifically documenting this example as having been used in America.

Similar Prussian military arms may also have circulated among Britain and its German allies during the wider conflicts of the mid 18th century, including the Seven Years’ War, known in North America as the French and Indian War. Again, without direct provenance, any connection of this individual pistol to those campaigns must remain speculative.

Frederick II, better known as Frederick the Great, ruled Prussia from 1740 until 1786. His reign saw major military reforms and victories during the Silesian Wars and Seven Years’ War, helping transform Prussia into one of Europe’s leading military powers. His royal F R cypher became a familiar marking on Prussian military arms and equipment produced during his reign.

A very seldom encountered Prussian Model 1742 cavalry pistol with an especially desirable intact Frederick the Great royal cypher, clear POTZDAM MAGAZ lock marking, excellent untouched patina, original style brass furniture, and fully functioning flintlock mechanism.

Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: Circa Mid 18th Century
Caliber: Approximately .67 Inch
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Black Powder
Barrel Length: 12 Inches
Overall Length: 19 1/2 Inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Single Shot, Muzzle Loaded

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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 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.