Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original French Napoleonic era Modèle An XIII naval pistol that was later transformed to percussion ignition and subsequently rifled, producing the later T bis configuration. It retains its brass furniture, large butt cap, rifled barrel, added sights, percussion lock, and original left side belt hook. The surviving tang markings include 13, T, and bis, documenting the pistol’s original model and successive arsenal transformations.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Modèle An XIII was introduced during Year XIII of the French Revolutionary calendar, corresponding to 1805, and became one of the best known French military pistols of the Napoleonic period. The pattern used a walnut stock with substantial brass furniture, including a heavy butt cap, trigger guard, side plate, and nose band. The stock terminates abruptly at the muzzle end, while the ramrod channel is angled to clear the trigger guard hardware.

This pistol was originally manufactured as a flintlock arm and later altered to percussion ignition. The barrel retains evidence of that earlier configuration, while the present percussion system uses a nipple bolster installed on the right side. The lock itself appears to be a purpose made percussion replacement rather than a straightforward alteration of the original flint lock, as no surviving pan or frizzen modifications are visible.

The barrel was subsequently rifled and fitted with front and rear sights as part of a later arsenal transformation. These modifications partially obscure the original model inscription on the tang, though the surviving markings remain legible:

13 T
   bis

The 13 identifies the original Modèle An XIII pattern. The T indicates a later transformation, while bis (again) denotes an additional alteration, consistent here with the subsequent rifling conversion.

Additional markings include a small shield shaped inspection stamp on the lock with:

★
D

beneath a crown like upper border. A number 7 is stamped on the right side of the barrel above the lock, while the top of the stock behind the barrel tang is marked:

E

The pistol retains its original style brass furniture, including the large butt cap, side plate, trigger guard, and nose band. The original belt hook remains firmly attached to the left side. This feature is consistent with military carry, though the surviving markings do not by themselves establish a specific cavalry or naval issue history for this individual pistol.

The metalwork has developed an attractive oxidized patina with scattered light peppering but no widespread heavy rust. There are, however, several substantial dents on the upper barrel that are also visible from inside the bore. The brass side plate shows additional dents, and the trigger guard is partially cracked through.

The lock operates, but the hammer releases from both the half cock and full cock positions. The half cock notch also positions the hammer unusually close to the percussion nipple and does not provide a reliable safety position. This is an important mechanical deficiency. The bore retains clear rifling and is mostly bright despite the barrel dents noted above. These observations describe only the pistol’s present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

The walnut stock has an attractive dark brown color and shows extensive service wear and old repairs. A large section of wood is missing from the right side immediately forward of the lock. There are graft repairs on both sides around the barrel tang and grip frame junction, with additional smaller repairs farther down the stock. A repaired crack is also present on the left side of the grip.

The original ramrod is missing.

With its surviving Modèle An XIII tang marking, T and bis transformation stamps, percussion conversion, rifled barrel, added sights, original belt hook, brass military furniture, and extensive period service character, this is a particularly interesting French military pistol that remained in use through multiple generations of arms development. The unsafe half cock condition, barrel dents, cracked trigger guard, missing stock wood, multiple stock repairs, light metal peppering, and missing ramrod are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a French Napoleonic arms, Modèle An XIII, percussion conversion, early rifled pistol, or advanced European military firearms collection.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1810 - Modified later
Model: Modèle An XIII T bis Pistol
Caliber: .69" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 7 3/4 inches
Overall Length: 14 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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

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.

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.