Original Item: Only One Available. Belgium as we know it today was only established in 1830, when the population rebelled against Dutch rule. Prior to that, most of the country had been known as Flanders and other local areas, which were possessions of Spain, France and Holland over the prior several hundreds of years. Belgium was an Industrial powerhouse with its great capacity coming from the City of Liège, where gun making was a key industry supplying Military Weapons all over Europe.

The Flintlock pistol offered here was most likely manufactured in Liège in the early 19th century for the Netherlands Navy, shortly before Belgium's independence. Pistols of this type were in wide use in Belgium itself, as well as other Countries and the Civilian Market. This is a substantial brass mounted walnut stocked completely standard Military Flintlock Pistol of the day. The design was robust, and saw use for decades, particularly during the Napoleonic wars. The belt hook in particular made it very easy to keep secured.

It is marked clearly on the top of the barrel with PRINS WILLEM de EERSTE ANTWERPEN, and there is also what looks to be a faint CROWN / K Proof by the flash pan. We pulled the barrel, and there is an E / L G / * in an Oval proof on the left side of the barrel, indicating manufacture in Liège, Belgium. There is an LP marking on the right side, and NB on the bottom, as well as an IVI assembly marking, which we also see on the bottom of the belt hook and on the inside of the loop on the butt plate. There is also a crisp N / (ANCHOR) marking on the left side of the stock by the lock screws, and also 14 on the right side of the butt cap.

This is definitely a naval issue pistol, and looks to have been used on the ship "Willem de Eerste" (Willam the First), a ship name that was used several times in the Netherlands Navy. As it is based in Antwerp, it definitely was pre 1830, and most likely refers to the Dutch Second Rate ship of the line 'Prins Willem de Eerste' (1813). This ship began life as the French Third Rate ship of the line 'La Couronne' (1813). Definitely some fantastic research potential in this pistol.

The pistol is in very good condition, showing a lovely patina of age. It has been lightly cleaned and polished to put it into its best light. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and only firing at full cock, though it is a bit stiff. There are no major breaks or damage in the stock that we can see. The wood looks to be beech or maybe walnut, with a great color, and it shows little to no wear! This is really a fantastic looking pistol!

A lovely early 19th Century Naval Flintlock pistol, ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: circa 1825
Caliber: .65" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 9 Inches
Overall Length: 15 1/2 Inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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