Original 19th Century Belgian Sea Service Flintlock Pistol made for the Ottoman Empire - Circa 1830

Original Item: One of a Kind. Belgium as we know it today was only established in 1830, when the population rebelled against Dutch rule. Prior to that, most of the country had been known as Flanders and other local areas, which were possessions of Spain, France and Holland over the prior several hundreds of years. Belgium was an Industrial powerhouse with its great capacity coming from the City of Liège, where gun making was a key industry supplying Military Weapons all over Europe, especially after 1832 once it had established its own government.

At first inspection, this looks like the standard Flintlock Sea Service pistol produced by Belgium during the Napoleonic Era, where they were used by the Batavian and later Dutch Navy after the defeat of Napoleon. However, on closer examination it shows a proof or acceptance mark right on the steel lock plate, clearly in Arabic. There are also additional Ottoman style markings carved into the bottom of the stock in front of the trigger guard. This indicates that this pistol was made for the then predominant Middle Eastern Power of the day, the OTTOMAN EMPIRE, that we known as Turkey today.

There is no provision for ramrod, the mounts are all of brass and the grade of manufacture is really quite high. Probably one of the most encountered original flintlock martial pistols from Europe encountered to day, though the Ottoman contract examples are a bit harder to find. There are no maker markings on the gun, however there are some arsenal markings on the top and bottom of the barrel, which has seen a good amount of wear. We were not able to see any Belgian markings on the barrel, which were probably worn away or removed.

The pistol is fitted with a 9" smoothbore barrel, and the pistol's overall length is about 15 3/4". It has a large lanyard ring on the bottom of the brass mounted butt cap, correct for the pattern. Overall condition is really quite nice, though the stock does show wear overall from service, with many scratches and small dents. There is also some wood missing to the rear of the lock plate, though we did not notice any major damage. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, though it can be a bit finicky at times.

Of course in the 1830s the Ottoman Empire covered most of the Middle East and North Africa, and this lasted until the close of WW1. Extremely powerful, the Ottomans were much sought after by the European powers as allies at that period and fluctuated between Great Britain and France until Britain gained the upper hand. Actual issue Military Flintlocks of the Ottoman Empire are hard to find, so this is really quite an important well marked Flint lock pistol.

In very nice condition and working order, ready to display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: circa 1830
Caliber: .69" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 9 Inches
Overall Length: 15 3/4 Inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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