Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a lovely example of a French Modèle 1837 Navy Percussion pistol, complete with the original belt hook still present on the left side. Holsters were impractical at sea, and the leather would quickly be degraded by the sea environment, so a pistol that could be fastened over the belt was preferable. To prevent loss, the ramrod is a "captured" type, attached with a swivel at the front of the barrel.
The barrel tang on this example is correctly marked Mle 1837 surrounding the rear sight, and there are also some proof marks near the breech end of the barrel on the left side. There is a Naval "Anchor" proof stamped into the butt plate next to the lanyard ring, used to keep the pistol from falling to the decks or overboard.
The lock is marked:
M're R'le
de Tulle
This is the abbreviation for Manufacture Royale de Tulle (also known as Manufacture d'Armes de Tulle), the Imperial Arsenal in southwestern France. This is also which is where the majority of Naval and Marine production guns were made during the mid 19th century, so there is definitely a possible naval connection.
The pistol has the standard 6 1/2 inch smoothbore barrel, 12 inches in overall length with brass and iron mountings. The stock is lovely, with a dark red brown color, and a lovely polished patina, with the expected wear and denting from service. It does show cracking on both sides of the stock along the grain, which are hard to see as one is under the belt hook. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full, however the half cock position is so close to the cap nipple cone as to be almost useless. The bore is clear, showing some light oxidation and fouling.
These are relatively rare, and this is one of only a handfull that we have been able to offer. Ready to display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1840
Bore Diameter: 0.60"
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 6 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 12 inches
Action: Back Action Percussion
Feed System: Single Shot
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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