{"product_id":"original-napoleonic-era-dutch-naval-flintlock-belt-pistol-marked-admiraal-evertsen-vlissingen-with-liege-proof-and-naval-anchor-circa-1811-1819","title":"Original Napoleonic Era Dutch Naval Flintlock Belt Pistol Marked ADMIRAAL EVERTSEN - VLISSINGEN with Liège Proof and Naval Anchor, Circa 1811-1819","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One of a Kind. This is an exceptionally interesting Dutch naval flintlock belt pistol from the Napoleonic and immediate post Napoleonic period, manufactured in the Liège gunmaking region and prominently inscribed \u003cstrong\u003eADMIRAAL EVERTSEN - VLISSINGEN\u003c\/strong\u003e across the top of the barrel. The pistol combines a substantial 9\" smoothbore barrel of approximately .68 caliber, all brass furniture, a large lanyard ring, 5 1\/4\" iron belt hook bearing a Naval Anchor stamp, and an early Liège proof at the breech. Dutch naval records confirm that two vessels named \u003cem\u003eAdmiraal Evertsen\u003c\/em\u003e served during this period, making the inscription particularly intriguing, although we cannot presently determine which vessel or naval establishment the marking represents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiège had been one of Europe's great gunmaking centers long before the creation of the modern Belgian state in 1830. During the Napoleonic period the city and its arms industry came under French rule, and after Napoleon's defeat the region became part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. Liège workshops produced large numbers of military, naval, commercial, and export arms during this period, making it entirely appropriate to encounter a Liège proved pistol associated with Dutch maritime service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pistol measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e15 1\/2\"\u003c\/strong\u003e overall and is fitted with a \u003cstrong\u003e9\"\u003c\/strong\u003e round smoothbore barrel. The bore measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e0.68\"\u003c\/strong\u003e at the muzzle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost importantly, the top of the barrel is engraved:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eADMIRAAL EVERTSEN - VLISSINGEN\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis inscription provides an unusually specific Dutch naval association. The Evertsen family of Zeeland produced generations of celebrated Dutch naval officers, and the name was repeatedly given to vessels of the Dutch fleet. Official Dutch naval history records two ships named \u003cem\u003eAdmiraal Evertsen\u003c\/em\u003e during the period relevant to this pistol: a gun schooner in service from 1803 to 1814 and an 80 gun ship of the line in service under Dutch, French, and again Dutch control from 1808 to 1819.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe added \u003cstrong\u003eVLISSINGEN\u003c\/strong\u003e inscription is especially interesting given the city's long importance as a Zeeland naval port and dockyard. We have not, however, located documentation proving whether it identifies the vessel's station, an arsenal or issue point, or another administrative connection. We therefore preserve the inscription exactly as found without assigning this pistol to either \u003cem\u003eAdmiraal Evertsen\u003c\/em\u003e with certainty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePartial proof and inspection marks remain at the left side of the barrel breech. The top of the barrel also bears the Liège proof:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE\u003cbr\u003eL G\u003cbr\u003e★\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ein an Oval. \u003c\/strong\u003eThis establishes proof at Liège. This marking was introduced circa 1810 to satisfy French requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo maker's name has been identified. There is also an indistinct marking near the upper portion of the lock plate that we have not been able to interpret. We therefore leave the actual Liège maker unattributed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pistol has no provision for a ramrod, an arrangement encountered on some naval and belt pistols where compact, unobstructed carry was more important than having a rod permanently mounted beneath the barrel. The furniture is all brass and has developed a particularly attractive mellow golden patina. The large brass butt cap incorporates a substantial lanyard ring at its base, allowing the pistol to be secured against loss during shipboard use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMounted to the left side is a \u003cstrong\u003e5 1\/4\"\u003c\/strong\u003e iron belt hook. Particularly noteworthy is the clear:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNAVAL ANCHOR\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003estamp at its base. The combination of belt hook, lanyard ring, and anchor marking provides strong physical support for a maritime or naval service identification, independent of the barrel inscription.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lock remains mechanically functional during manual inspection. It holds correctly at half cock and releases from full cock. These observations describe only its present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the pistol is safe to load or fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is very good for an early 19th century service pistol. The brass furniture displays an attractive naturally aged patina, while the iron barrel, lock, and belt hook show the expected darker oxidation and wear from long service. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe walnut stock has developed a handsome red brown color and even shows some attractive figuring toward the butt. It displays the scratches, dents, staining, and other handling wear expected from military or naval use. There is a crack extending from the left barrel wedge area toward the nose cap. Aside from this, we did not observe major structural cracking or other significant stock damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its boldly engraved \u003cstrong\u003eADMIRAAL EVERTSEN - VLISSINGEN\u003c\/strong\u003e inscription, early Liège proof, substantial .68 caliber barrel, brass naval style furniture, lanyard ring, long belt hook with anchor stamp, and strong overall condition, this is an unusually evocative Dutch maritime flintlock. The exact vessel association remains open to further research, but the surviving inscription and naval features give this pistol substantially more historical character than an anonymous commercial example. It would be an exceptional addition to a collection of Napoleonic arms, Dutch naval weapons, Liège made military pistols, or early 19th century maritime firearms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1815\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .67\" Pistol\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Lead Ball \u0026amp; Powder\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 9 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 15 1\/2 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Flintlock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Muzzle-Loaded\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\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":46064328179781,"sku":"ONAC26B078","price":2495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/BE6AB714-B574-4C5D-B946-1E00E6B59E8A.jpg?v=1792439588","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-napoleonic-era-dutch-naval-flintlock-belt-pistol-marked-admiraal-evertsen-vlissingen-with-liege-proof-and-naval-anchor-circa-1811-1819","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}