{"product_id":"original-victorian-british-63-caliber-percussion-overcoat-pistol-signed-smith-london-with-captured-ramrod-and-hammer-safety-circa-1840","title":"Original Victorian British .63 Caliber Percussion Overcoat Pistol Signed SMITH LONDON with Captured Ramrod and Hammer Safety, Circa 1840","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive circa 1840 British percussion overcoat pistol signed \u003cstrong\u003eSMITH LONDON\u003c\/strong\u003e, built in the compact large bore style favored for personal protection during the early Victorian period. Measuring only \u003cstrong\u003e8 1\/4\"\u003c\/strong\u003e overall, it combines a substantial approximately \u003cstrong\u003e.63 caliber\u003c\/strong\u003e smoothbore with a 4\" octagonal twist steel barrel, captured swivel ramrod, engraved iron furniture, and a positive hammer safety. Pistols of this general large bore defensive type are often referred to by collectors as “manstopper” pistols, and this example certainly has the compact dimensions and substantial bore associated with that category.\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\u003eCompact percussion pistols of this form were produced in considerable variety by the British gun trade during the 1830s and 1840s. Often described today as overcoat, belt, traveling, or defensive pistols, they were intended to provide considerably more power than the tiny pocket pistols of the period while remaining short enough for convenient personal carry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the barrel is signed:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSMITH LONDON\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Smith name appears frequently in the 19th century British gun trade, and surviving percussion pistols are known with comparable \u003cstrong\u003eSMITH LONDON\u003c\/strong\u003e barrel signatures. Without an address, initials, or visible maker's mark beneath the barrel, however, we have not attempted to assign this pistol to a particular member of the Smith gunmaking families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pistol measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e8 1\/4\"\u003c\/strong\u003e overall and is fitted with a substantial \u003cstrong\u003e4\"\u003c\/strong\u003e octagonal smoothbore barrel measuring approximately \u003cstrong\u003e.63\"\u003c\/strong\u003e at the muzzle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe barrel displays a visible spiral pattern in the steel, consistent with the twist or pattern welded barrel construction widely used on quality British sporting and defensive arms of the period. The surviving pattern is still clearly evident beneath the aged gray surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe removed the barrel wedge and tang screw in an effort to examine the concealed breech area, but the barrel did not release readily from the stock and we did not force it. As a result, we were unable to determine whether British proof marks are present on the underside or concealed breech flats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pistol has a compact and relatively restrained walnut stock fitted entirely with iron furniture. There is no conventional butt cap or decorative side plate. The surviving furniture includes the ramrod pipe and an engraved iron trigger guard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most desirable practical features is the original style \u003cstrong\u003ecaptured swivel ramrod\u003c\/strong\u003e. Unlike a conventional loose ramrod that could easily be dropped during hurried loading, the pivoting arrangement kept the rod physically attached to the pistol. Comparable British percussion pistols of the 1830s and 1840s frequently used this arrangement on compact traveling and defensive arms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lock remains mechanically functional during careful manual inspection. It holds correctly at half cock and releases from full cock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pistol is also fitted with a separate safety positioned to secure the hammer. When engaged at half cock, the safety prevents the hammer from moving either forward or rearward. Sliding hammer safeties and related locking arrangements were used on better quality British percussion pistols to provide an additional mechanical safeguard when the arm was carried loaded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is clear. It shows evidence of old fouling and oxidation, as would be expected from a black powder percussion pistol of this age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior metalwork has developed a very pleasing light gray aged patina from long use and past cleaning. The twist pattern of the barrel remains visible, giving the pistol considerable visual character. We did not observe major destructive corrosion on the exposed surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe walnut stock remains in good overall condition and displays some attractive natural figure. It does, however, have two areas of significant damage that should be noted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA section of wood is missing from the forward right side of the stock adjacent to the barrel wedge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is also a crack beginning on the left side near the breech and extending through the lock screw area toward the trigger guard. The crack is clearly visible and should be considered when handling the pistol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its substantial approximately \u003cstrong\u003e.63 caliber\u003c\/strong\u003e bore, compact 8 1\/4\" overall length, \u003cstrong\u003eSMITH LONDON\u003c\/strong\u003e signature, twist steel barrel, captured ramrod, engraved iron furniture, and functioning hammer safety, this is a particularly appealing example of the large bore British percussion pistols carried for personal protection during the early Victorian era. Its honest condition and surviving mechanical features make it especially suitable for a collection of British percussion arms, overcoat and traveling pistols, early Victorian firearms, or compact 19th century defensive weapons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1840\u003cbr\u003eMaker: Smith of London\u003cbr\u003eBore Diameter: .535\" - 30 Bore\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Cap \u0026amp; Ball\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 4 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 8 1\/4 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Side-Action Percussion\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":46106443448389,"sku":"ONJR26SERA12","price":895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/E0A8B485-3499-40F9-9D62-8C7568BC084F.jpg?v=1792779018","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-victorian-british-63-caliber-percussion-overcoat-pistol-signed-smith-london-with-captured-ramrod-and-hammer-safety-circa-1840","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}