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MODEL 1716/77 SEA SERVICE PISTOL BY TOWER MARKED

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
MODEL 1716/77 SEA SERVICE PISTOL BY TOWER MARKED

"HMS CAESAR". Cal. 58. NSN. The 12" tapered rnd. bbl. has typical military turnings at breech end & is stamped w/ crown "V" & "X" military proofs. Bbl. maker's initials "IC" are on left side. Top of bbl. is engraved "HMS CAESAR" (an 80 gun, 3rd rate launched in 1793, was used as an army depot after 1814 & broken up in 1821. It participated in the battles of Algeciras Bay (off Gibraltar), Cape of Ortegal, & Lessables-D'olonne). Undated sm. lock w/ slightly arched bottom of plate is fitted w/ flat faced reinforced cock, integral rounded pan, unbridled frizzen & feather spring w/ spear finial. A royal cypher, crown over "GR" is in front of cock & "TOWER" is on tail. Lock is also stamped w/ crowned broad arrow. Internal inspection reveals short sear spring & unbridled tumbler. Beechwood stock extends to muzzle & is pinned to bbl. There is a raised beavertail around bbl. tang. Most of the royal acceptance mark is visible behind beavertail on upper right side of grip. Inspector's mark "H" is behind sideplate tail. Pistol is brass mounted w/ standard sea service brass grip cap w/ short sidespurs, relief cast trigger guard w/ husk finial, flat sideplate w/ curled flourish at rear w/ mounting hole for steel belt hook which is present & appears to be original. An acceptance stamp & the no. "9" is on tail of hook. What appears to be original hickory ramrod w/ horn tip mounts through single beaded & flared brass pipe. CONDITION: good to very good, showing considerable cleaning & refinishing. Iron parts w/ heavy cleaning to bright silver & subsequent rusting on bbl. Brass also cleaned, is toning to gold. Wood has old oil refinish over many marks & dings, but is basically sound. There are noted replacements of wood around lock mortice & there is a crack on left side of forend. Pitted bore. Lock is operable. Bbl. is still original flint, however touchhole has been bushed w/ brass. (01-20864/MGM). ANTIQUE. $2,000-6,000.