Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely British Percussion Vest pistol, with a "box lock" style frame and very interesting "Side Hammer" design. These are usually top hammer, but as it is percussion, it may have been easier to put the hammer and bolster on the side. It is a very early Victorian example, and is marked on the top of the barrel by the maker:-
PIPER, CAMBRIDGE
This of course refers to gunmaker Charles Piper, who operated a shop at 7 Bene't Street, Cambridge, and was known for making fine pistols and shotguns. He was in operation from 1849 to 1856, when he sold his business to Henry Hutcheson.
The pistol measures 9 1/4 inches in overall length, featuring a 5 inch .47" bore barrel, which is a single piece continuous with the receiver. Aside from the maker marks, it has some lovely foliate engraving on the frame, which extends to the top as well, and even onto the trigger guard. It also features a wonderful "captured" ramrod under the barrel, which even has a small spring near the trigger guard to retain the end. The lower left facet of the barrel is marked with the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "proof" and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" markings from the city of Birmingham, England.
The pistol follows the classic style, and is fitted with a very nice finely checkered "bag" shaped grip, which is in very good shape. There is a rectangular escutcheon on the back of the grip, which looks to be made from silver. Overall condition is very nice, and it has a great look, still retaining much of the original engraving, and showing a lovely lightly oxidized patina. The lock is functional, however it will fire at both half and full cock. The original cap nipple cone is present, and shows light wear.
A really nice mid 19th Century British pocket flintlock pistol, ready to research and display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1850
Bore Diameter: .47" pistol
Ammunition Type: Cap & Ball
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Overall Length: 9 1/4 inches
Action: Side-Action Percussion "Box-Lock"
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.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
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.
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