Original Item: One-of-a-kind. Dutch Naval Flintlock pistols are very rare but this particularly model, used for almost the entire 18th century, has always been very easy to identify due to the lack of any butt cap fitting. This type was made by JOHANN GEORG ERTTEL the Elder, who was born in 1700 in Dresden and worked in Amsterdam until his death in 1764. The business was continued then by his son, born 1728 also JOHANN GEORG ERTTEL who eventually died in 1794.

Naval Pistols made by the ERTTEL family featured a large all wood butt capable of being used as a club once discharged. This particular example has an 10" barrel with a .69" bore and is 17" overall. The later ERTTEL Naval Pistols of JOHANN GEORG the Younger of the 1770s featured 13" barrels with a .65" bore although the style was exactly the same. See the compelling work BOARDERS AWAY by William Gilkerson Pages 236-237 for more information on this gun-making lineage based in Amsterdam.

The lock plate on this lovely example is correctly marked I.G. ERTTEL / AMSTERDAM, correct for the time when the initial "J" would be replaced by "I" to "latinize" the name. It features a swan neck cock with a frizzen reinforcement bridle attached to the flash pan, which also has a flash guard at the rear. All the mounts are brass and the overall condition is really nice, with a lovely oval "Crossed Anchors" escutcheon on the back of the wrist. Unlike many we see, this example is still fitted with a lovely 5 inch long belt hook on the left side, which would allow easy attachment to the clothes when necessary. Many of these were later removed when they were taken on land.

The stock does show wear overall from service, with scratches and small dents, and we can see some past cracks along the grain, which look to have been repaired long ago. THere is also some staining to the wood from the metal pins and barrel. The lock is functional, however it does not hold at half cock at all due to wear on the tumbler. There is a lovely brass fitted ramrod under the barrel, which has a clearing worm attachment on the narrow end.

An exceptionally uncommon pistol to encounter is this fine Dutch Naval Flintlock Pistol circa 1740-1750 ready to add in any Naval collection.

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: circa 1740
Caliber: .69" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 10 Inches
Overall Length: 17 Inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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.