As the worlds greatest Naval Power, Britain was moving into the 18th Century seeking a more "standard" Pistol for the their Navy.  Unfortunately there were many "styles", BUT by 1754 one became the standard pattern, the Sea Service Pistol of Tower manufacture. This specimen is early, about 1755, and marked Tower, with a Royal Crown over GR. This was for King George the III. Plus, the British Broad Arrow marking to the right of Crown over GR.

This was a particularly difficult period, as the French & Indian war was raging all over the world, and all the seas of the world. The battle tactics were simple, use cannon firing in broad sides, to disable the enemy ship. Then the action really heated up ! Disabled, you used grappling hooks, pulled alongside, and BOARDED the enemy ship to seize it, a.k.a the PRIZE ! What was in the hands of Officers and Sailors as they boarded, this Model Sea Service Pistol. The massive charge from a 12 inch .62 Cal, barrel was fired, then the pistol was flipped, holding the barrel, and bludgeoning the enemy with the massive rounded skull cracking butt of the Sea Service Pistol ! This same pistol would have been used in the world wide Naval battles during the American Revolution, which became a world war once the French joined the American Colonial cause ! The ORIGINAL Belt Hook is still with this Pistol as clearly shown to the right in the image. ALL the brass furniture is untouched, showing a 260 years old soft mustard patina on all the brass. The wood is perfect, NO damage anywhere, and has an untouched surface patina, and a soft luster. The 12 inch barrel is all original, having a soft plum patina finish. So many have their barrel polished bright, NOT this one, it is all natural and untouched. The working action is perfect, the frizzen closes, the hammer cocks, and the trigger releases it flawlessly, a 100% working action. As Rudyard Kipling said, which fits the era and use of this pistol, " Ah yes, this is when the ships were of wood, and the men were of iron"

PRICE $3,250

HAND FORGED IRON, MULTI PURPOSE TOOL      (COMPLETE) FOR WHEEL LOCK PISTOLS

This is a very old and historic tool, from the period 1500 to 1600. It was a multi purpose tool used with Wheel Lock Pistols. It is complete, amazingly, even the " pick" tool is still attached  by forged link. This tool performed many tasks in conjunction with the use of a Wheel Lock pistol. They are simply never seen, and an ultimate scarcity, rarer than the pistol itself. So. if you have a Wheel Lock in your collection, this makes an incredible companion piece.

PRICE $ 1,500

This is a massive revolver in size and weight, and so it should be, as it is a licensed copy of the Colt 2nd Model .44 Dragoon. It is of the highest quality of manufacture, and very scarce , as most were made in a .36 caliber pattern. This Charlier Dragoon is Serial No.4, rumored to be one of only six manufactured. It has a 7-1/2  inch octagonal  barrel, and is six shots. It even has the decorative trigger guard reminiscent of a square back Colt.  The factory markings are very clear: Ch Charlier, Brévéte on the bottom of the barrel, and Belgium proofs of ELG on cylinder rear, and Crown over D on the frame. The revolver is nicely finished in engraving, with panel scenes. On both sides of the revolver, behind recoil shield,  there is an oval with a Hunting Dog in the Oval. Plus mach floral engraving on the body of the revolver. The original finish was typical, "In the White" bright polish. Today, the finish is varying degrees of gray, and UNTOUCHED, never polished etc.. The surface shows handling marks, and some VERY light age roughness. The Dragoon has finely checkered Walnut grips, displaying only normal hand wear, and no damage. They have a fine antique luster and patina. Mechanically, it is 100%, crisp action and functions correctly on ALL working actions. This Dragoon was obviously made for European sales, but probably more for export to the enormous American market, considering the rumblings of the Civil War were in the making. This is a very impressive revolver in size, weight and quality. It is a very rare limited production in .44 caliber, and an attractive finish of engraving and panel scenes. If you like Dragoon revolvers, this is a must for your collection, a licensed copy of a Colt.

PRICE $2,550

A stylized "Square Back" Trigger Guard, and you can see Oval Panel behind recoil shield, with Hunting Dog in Oval.