{"product_id":"original-german-federation-rare-model-1849-percussion-naval-pistol-by-v-c-schilling-of-suhl-circa-1850-only-1-000-made","title":"Original German Federation Rare Model 1849 Percussion Naval Pistol by V.C. Schilling of Suhl Circa 1850 - Only 1,000 Made","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDenmark 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 \u0026amp; Sturm, C.G. Haenel, and Valentin Christoph Schilling. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e 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\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flat lock plate is marked with the manufacturer information:-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(Double Headed Eagle)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSUHL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eV. C. S.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(Anchor)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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 \u0026amp; Company and Spangenberg \u0026amp; Sauer. We tested the lock, and it still holds correctly at half cock, firing at full. There is another \u003cstrong\u003e\"Double Headed Eagle\" \u003c\/strong\u003eover an \u003cstrong\u003eANCHOR\u003c\/strong\u003e on the top facet of the barrel, and the left facet has what looks to be a \u003cstrong\u003eCROWN \/ Kl\u003c\/strong\u003e proof, also seen on the brass side plate and front tang of the trigger guard. This is the proof mark of the \u003cem\u003eKöniglich Preußisch Gewehr Revisionskommission\u003c\/em\u003e (Royal Prussian Arms commission). There are not any other markings we can see, though there are some scratched in letters on the stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: Circa 1850\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: .61 inches (pistol)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmunition Type:  Lead Ball \u0026amp; Powder with Percussion Cap\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 9 1\/4 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 16 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction: Percussion Lock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: Muzzle-Loaded\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44954017792069,"sku":"ONSV26NCS172","price":1795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/BA1372CC-DD7F-4AB1-8DF9-1E476EB04BC1.jpg?v=1777655239","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-federation-rare-model-1849-percussion-naval-pistol-by-v-c-schilling-of-suhl-circa-1850-only-1-000-made","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}