Original Item: Only one Available. Prior to the formation of the German Empire in 1871, there were several different German Confederations formed, which attempted to fill the power vacuum created when the Holy Roman Empire collapsed as a result of the Napoleonic Wars in 1806. Some of these overlapped in time involving different Germanic states, of which there were several Kingdoms, Grand Duchies, Duchies, Principalities, and Free Cities. The "German Federation" was one of these groups, and was in existence from 1848 to 1853, a relatively short period of time, but it managed to form what would be the first unified German Navy. 

The German Federal Navy was officially established on 14 June 1848 by an act of the first German parliament. The act additionally appropriated a substantial amount of funding to both build and equip a fleet. The vote was a result of the First Schleswig War (1848-1852), which involved the Duchy of Schleswig, which came into conflict with Denmark over the the "Schleswig–Holstein question." The Duchies of Schleswig, Holstein and Lauenburg were on the border between the German States and Denmark, and at the time were governed by the King of Denmark under a personal union. However, over time they had become much more aligned with Germany, and an increasing number of the population became fully "Germanized", and tried to join the German confederation, sparking the war.

Denmark had a powerful Navy, while the German states had no real navy, even though they had a substantial Northern coast. The appropriation included funding to acquire some 1,200 percussion muskets and 1,000 percussion pistols. The Model 1849 Naval Musket was based upon the Prussian Model 1839 Musket, but shorter and handier for use onboard ship. The pistol was also designated as the Model 1849 and followed the form of Prussian military pistols of the period. The guns were ordered from the Suhl Consortium of gunmakers, which included Spangenberg, Sauer & Sturm, C.G. Haenel, and Valentin Christoph Schilling. 

 pistols of the period. The gun was a single shot, smooth bore, muzzle loading percussion pistol with a captive, swiveling rammer. The barrel was 9 ¼” long with a .60” caliber (15.3 mm) bore, and the gun is 16” in overall length

The flat lock plate is marked with the manufacturer information:-

(Double Headed Eagle)
SUHL
V. C. S.
(Anchor)

This indicates production by V.C. Schilling of Suhl, a well-known contractor at the time. This company was one of the members of the Suhl Consortium, along with Spangenberg & Company and Spangenberg & Sauer. We tested the lock, and it still holds correctly at half cock, firing at full. There is another "Double Headed Eagle" over an ANCHOR on the top facet of the barrel, and the left facet has what looks to be a CROWN / Kl proof, also seen on the brass side plate and front tang of the trigger guard. This is the proof mark of the Königlich Preußisch Gewehr Revisionskommission (Royal Prussian Arms commission). There are not any other markings we can see, though there are some scratched in letters on the stock.

The pistol features a very nice walnut stock, with a single brass barrel band at the front end of the stock where the captured ramrod enters, which has an extension on the left side that connects to the front lock screw. The trigger guard and butt cap are also of brass, as is the side plate, and there is also a steel extension running back from the rear lock screw, which actually connects to a THIRD lock screw at the tail of the lock.

Condition of the pistol is very good, showing a lovely patina of age. The brass components have matured to a lovely mustard color, and the iron and steel components have a lovely plum patina, with no evidence of major oxidation. The stock has the expected wear and dents from service, but no major cracks or chunks missing. There are some letters scratched in places, which we do not understand the significance of.

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1850
Caliber: .61 inches (pistol)
Ammunition Type:  Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 9 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 16 inches
Action: Percussion Lock
Feed System: 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 most US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for 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.