Original item. Only One Available. This is a very interesting example of the Classic French Military Flintlock Pistol of the Napoleonic era, made at the IMPERIAL ARSENAL at MAUBEUGE. These were used mostly by the cavalry, but they were also issued to the navy, and this is one such example, with an intact belt look on the left side. Like many examples still in service, it was later converted to utilize the new percussion cap system. This involved replacing the original flintlock hammer with a percussion one, and also removal of the pan, frizzen, and frizzen spring. We can clearly see on the lock plate where these removed items used to be, and there is still an inlet in the top of the lock plate where the pan was previously. It has had a cap nipple cone bolster installed on the right side of the barrel.

The pistol is clearly marked with Maubeuge / Manuf.'re Imp.'le, for manufacture at the government arsenal located in Maubeuge, France, today along the Northern border with Belgium. There is also a CROWN / M inspector mark on the lock plate. It features all brass mounts on walnut wood stock fitted with large skull crusher butt cap. We can see remnants of the original "Mle. an 13" marking on the barrel tang, short for "Modèle An XIII", introduced in the 13th Year of the French Revolutionary Calendar, or 1805. On the left facet of the barrel is a faint 1807 date stamp, right in the correct period for this model, and there is also a faded cartouche on the left side of the stock, probably for when it was converted to percussion. Definitely some great research potential here!

This is a very nice service used example of a French Dragoon pistol of the Napoleonic era, converted to percussion to see further service. The lock is functional, though it will fire at both half and full cock, and the ramrod looks to possibly be a replacement. The stock definitely shows wear, with dents, chips, and gouges consistent with long service.

A pistol that may well have seen service at WATERLOO, and long after! Ready to display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1807
Caliber: .69" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 7 7/8 inches
Overall Length: 14 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

The Pistolet modèle An XIII was a flintlock cavalry pistol, in service in French units from 1806 until 1812. It was mostly inspired by the Pistolet modèle An IX, which it succeeded, but also incorporated elements of the Navy pistolet modèle 1786, notably the barrel mountings. Over 300 000 pistols were made, mostly between 1806 and 1814 in Charleville, Maubeuge and St-Etienne. The Americans copied the design as the Harpers Ferry Pistol, and used it against the British during the War of 1812.

The Pistolet modèle An XIII was designed to equip mounted units, each horseman using two pistols. It was also used by the Navy. An improved version, known as the M1822, was produced after the Napoleonic Wars. They were kept in service well into the 1840s, at which date the pistols still in usage were converted to use percussion caps.

The model number for these is derived from the French Republican calendar, which counts 1792 as Année I (An I), with the year starting in late September. An IX began 23 September 1800, and An XIII began 23 September 1804

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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.

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