{"product_id":"original-u-s-revolutionary-war-era-prussian-model-1742-flintlock-cavalry-pistol-marked-potzdam-magaz-with-frederick-the-great-royal-cypher","title":"Original U.S. Revolutionary War Era Prussian Model 1742 Flintlock Cavalry Pistol Marked POTZDAM MAGAZ with Frederick the Great Royal Cypher","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic original mid 18th century \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrussian Model 1742 Flintlock Cavalry Pistol\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the pattern carried by mounted troops including Hussars, Dragoons, and other cavalry formations of the Prussian Army during the reign of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrederick II, Frederick the Great\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The pistol has an exceptionally attractive untouched appearance, with no obvious signs of modern restoration or aggressive polishing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe substantial lock has the classic Germanic “banana” shaped profile with an angular rear teat, together with the correct unbridled frizzen and faceted flash pan. The face of the lock is clearly marked:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePOTZDAM MAGAZ\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an abbreviated form of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePotsdam Magazin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, referring to the important Prussian arms center at Potsdam. Military firearms produced and assembled there during the mid 18th century are frequently encountered with Potsdam arsenal markings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the most desirable features of this pistol is the intact oval brass escutcheon set into the back of the wrist. It bears the crowned royal cypher:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCROWN \/ F R\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe initials stand for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFridericus Rex\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKing Frederick\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, identifying the arm with the reign of Frederick II of Prussia, who ruled from 1740 until 1786. These royal cyphers are sometimes encountered intentionally defaced on surviving examples, making the complete cypher on this pistol particularly appealing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe pistol has a substantial approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.67 caliber smoothbore barrel measuring 12 inches long\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, secured to the stock by transverse pins. Overall length is approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e19 1\/2 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe barrel is somewhat shorter than some Model 1742 examples encountered today, and it is possible that it was shortened during its service life. We see no documentation establishing when or why this occurred, so this should remain a possibility rather than a firm conclusion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe furniture is brass throughout. It includes the characteristic faceted trigger guard, long eared butt cap, and flat serpentine side plate. The flat profile of the side plate is an important feature distinguishing this pattern from the earlier Prussian Model 1731, which used a more prominently raised side plate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is no lanyard loop presently fitted to the butt. Whether this represents a period variation, a missing component, or another alteration during the pistol’s long service life is uncertain.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe stock is particularly attractive, retaining excellent color and extensive original style carved detailing. Decorative “island” carving surrounds the lock, side plate, and other furniture. There are numerous dents, scratches, and handling marks consistent with military use and more than two centuries of age, but we see no significant structural damage from the supplied description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe iron barrel and lock have developed a very pleasing untouched gray and brown patina rather than showing the bright appearance produced by aggressive cleaning. The brass furniture likewise has an excellent aged surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMechanically, the flintlock remains functional. The cock holds correctly at half cock and releases from full cock when the trigger is pulled.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe pistol also retains a brass tipped ramrod, whose aged surface matches the rest of the pistol extremely well.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrussian cavalry pistols of this general type are particularly interesting to American collectors because German auxiliary troops employed by Great Britain during the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmerican Revolutionary War\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e carried a wide variety of German military arms. Troops commonly described collectively as “Hessians” actually came from several German states, and Prussian manufactured arms could circulate well beyond Prussia itself. It is therefore entirely plausible for pistols of this general type to have appeared in North America during the Revolutionary era, although there is no surviving provenance specifically documenting this example as having been used in America.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSimilar Prussian military arms may also have circulated among Britain and its German allies during the wider conflicts of the mid 18th century, including the Seven Years’ War, known in North America as the French and Indian War. Again, without direct provenance, any connection of this individual pistol to those campaigns must remain speculative.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrederick II, better known as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrederick the Great\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, ruled Prussia from 1740 until 1786. His reign saw major military reforms and victories during the Silesian Wars and Seven Years’ War, helping transform Prussia into one of Europe’s leading military powers. His royal \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eF R\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e cypher became a familiar marking on Prussian military arms and equipment produced during his reign.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA very seldom encountered Prussian Model 1742 cavalry pistol with an especially desirable intact Frederick the Great royal cypher, clear \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePOTZDAM MAGAZ\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e lock marking, excellent untouched patina, original style brass furniture, and fully functioning flintlock mechanism.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: Circa Mid 18th Century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: Approximately .67 Inch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmunition Type: Lead Ball \u0026amp; Black Powder\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 12 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 19 1\/2 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction: Flintlock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: Single Shot, Muzzle Loaded\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNOTE:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS Worldwide Services courier. USPS Priority Mail International will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique firearm laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44913734058053,"sku":"ONAC261092","price":4995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC261092.jpg?v=1777462825","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-revolutionary-war-era-prussian-model-1742-flintlock-cavalry-pistol-marked-potzdam-magaz-with-frederick-the-great-royal-cypher","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}