Original item. Only One Available. This is a extremely scarce variant of the father of American single shot martial pistols, the French Modèle 1777 Flintlock Cavalry Pistol. Instead of the usual 7 ½ inch long barrel, this example is fitted with one that is twice as long at 15 inches, giving it an overall length of 20 ½ inches. We have never had one of these before, and it is unlikely that we will ever have one again!

The M-1777 was the pistol the U.S. company of "Simeon & North" copied to create the newly independent United States' first martial flintlock pistol. These pistols are very rare on the market, especially ones such as this that are still in the original flintlock configuration. Most that we have seen were converted to percussion in the mid 1800s, however this one escaped that fate. This model of pistol was adopted to replace the earlier M-1763 cavalry pistol, which was much more traditional in design with a full wood stock. The M-1777 would go on to see service from the U.S. revolutionary war right through to the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte at the battle of waterloo in 1815.

As originally produced, these pistols were brass mounted with wooden rear stock and a cast brass frame, with the trigger guard a separate casting. The lock area has a brazed on integral brass flash pan, with an iron frizzen and pan cover. Early examples such as this were produced with an iron belt hook, which was retained by a mounting screw under the brass frame, but later production pistols did not have them. Most M-1777 pistols encountered today were manufactured without the belt hook, or had the hook removed during the period of use. This example still has the hook, properly secured by a large iron screw inside the trigger guard, which with the extra long barrel makes this a very special gun indeed!

This wonderful example was made at St. Étienne Arsenal, as marked on the brass frame, and is definitely an early example, marked and dated X B I B / D / 1782 on the right side of the wooden grip. The frame is also marked with a CROWN / L proof mark over the frizzen spring, which is not one that we are familiar with. There is the number 196 and a proof mark on the screw that retains the 6 inch long belt hook. The pistol is in very good condition, but does show wear from long service and cleaning. The barrel especially has seen a lot of past cleaning, being much more susceptible to oxidation than the brass, which unfortunately has removed all of the markings from it. The large amount of cleaning, combined with powder fouling and oxidation on the barrel interior, has resulted in a barrel wall that is very thin in areas. There are even some small holes through the barrel closer to the muzzle.

The pistol still retains its ramrod, though in this case it is an extra long one 15 ¼ inches in length, which fits correctly into the stock, with a retaining loop towards the end of the barrel. The wooden grip is still in very good shape, showing wear and staining from service, particularly near the iron back strap, which stained the wood. There are some wood graft repairs around the front of the frame, and there is wood missing under the hammer from powder burn. The lock is functional, but does not hold at half cock.

A very nice unconverted example of a scarce long-barreled variant of the inspiration for many early U.S. pistol designs. We will not see another anytime soon, so act now!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1782
Caliber: .68" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 15 inches
Overall Length: 20 ½ inches
Action: Percussion Side Action
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.