Original Item: One of a Kind. Here we have a lovely brass barreled flintlock pistol by famed gunsmith DURS EGG of LONDON, one of about 200 made exclusively for Philippe d'Auvergne, heir to the Duché de Bouillon, and the commander of the Channel Islands Defense Force in 1796.

The pistol features a brass barrel of 7" with an overall length of 12 1/2". The lock plate is military marked with Crown over G. R. under the hammer and D. EGG across the tail. It also has the correct CROWN over BROAD ARROW "Lock Viewer's Mark under the pan. The barrel itself is marked D-EGG = LONDON on the top, and has the CROWN / GP "Gunmakers" proof and CROWN / V viewed markings of the London Proof house on the left barrel facet. The stock is furnished with all brass mounts, complete with its brass tipped ramrod with iron worm on the rear end.

Born Philippe de Auvergne to an Aristocratic Channel Island's family in 1754, he joined the ROYAL NAVY as a Midshipman in 1770. He served on the sloop H.M.S. RACEHORSE during the Admiralty's Arctic Expedition in 1773. He fought in the Revolutionary War and was captured by the French in 1779.

He was named heir to the Duchy of Bouillon in 1783 and was exchanged in 1783 and repatriated to England. He was placed in command of the Channel Islands Defense Force which he held until 1806 and was promoted the Vice Admiral of the Red.

The Duke of Bouillon himself died in 1811 but there was confusion with his inheritance, as other family members stepped forward. He in fact lost his case in 1815 and was declared bankrupt in the Paris Court system. He fled to LONDON but died in poverty in 1816 which was a suspected suicide. A British Naval Officer, almost an Aristocrat who died at age 62.

Records tell us that about 200 pairs of these pistols were made of this Pattern in 1796, about 100 pairs by Durs Egg and 100 pairs by Henry Nock. See Howard Blackmore's wonderful book BRITISH MILITARY FIREARMS 1650-1850 published in 1961 page 64 for more details. See also Wikipedia for much more detailed information on Philippe d'Auvergne.

Condition of the pistol is just lovely, with a great yellowed patina on the brass, and a mellowed gray patina on the iron and steel portions of the action. The stock has a lovely brown color, showing some arsenal repaired cracks along the wood grain in places. Functionally works well, holds at half cock (but can be fired at half cock), holds at full cock and fires strongly.

A fine and historic example ready to display.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1796
Bore Diameter: .56"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 7 inches
Overall Length: 12 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.