SOLD - 19th Century East India Company Percussion Cavalry Pistol

Description

6/5/26 - This is a mid-19th century British percussion pistol bearing the East India Company rampant lion, on the lock-plate just forward of the hammer. The inner diameter of the bore measures .65 inches. The East India Co. lion was the property mark of the Honorable East India Company, applied to arms built for the Company by British contract gunmakers from roughly 1808 onward, and pieces carrying it have a strong following among collectors of British colonial and martial arms. The pistol is of military configuration with a full walnut stock, brass furniture throughout, including the trigger guard, butt-cap, and a swivel ramrod at the muzzle, the type designed to keep the rod from being lost when the pistol was carried mounted or aboard ship. The lock is a standard side percussion type with a single engraved border and the EIC lion. There are no other markings except for the number "39" in 2 places; on the left side of the barrel and on the bottom of the butt-plate. Condition is honest and consistent with age and service use. The metal has gone to a brown patina overall. The walnut stock shows obvious handling wear scattered throughout. There is a hairline crack along the bottom edge and a couple of more noticeable gouges near the tang of the receiver. The bore shows obvious surface oxidation and pitting throughout. Fully functional. No FFL required.