Original British East India Company Sea Service Flintlock Pistol by Henshaw Marked to East Indiaman CASTLE EDEN with Belt Hook - Dated 1799

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a rare example of an EIC British EIC Sea Service Pistol, as used on Ships during the 18th century. It is fitted with a 6 inch long iron belt hook on the left side, making it easy to stow on the belt, and it also has a lovely "captured" ramrod, which made it impossible to lose at sea. The lock is maker marked HENSHAW under the flash pan, and the lock plate tail is dated 1799 over the EIC Heart (East India Company) Logo. This would most likely be William Henshaw, a London gunmaker working approximately from 1772 to 1822, when he passed away. Per Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850 by Howard L. Blackmore, Henshaw was recorded working at 279 Strand in 1780, 181 Strand 1784-91, and 44 New Bond Street 1801-08. In 1788 he became a Contractor to the East India Company, after which this pistol was produced. There is also a CROWN / 2 inspection cartouche under the flash pan.

When on use at sea, it was very common for the name of the ship to be added to the guns in use, to prevent them from being "lost" or otherwise misplaced, and this one is marked CASTLE EDEN on on the top of the barrel. This ship was built by Pitcher in Northfleet on the River Thames, and was launched 13 January 1800 as an East Indiaman. She made six voyages for the British East India Company (EIC) before she became a transport in 1812, after which records of the ship cease, as she may have been renamed. As with most ships in East India trade service, she was armed with 26 guns, a mixture of 12 and 18 pounders, and had a crew complement of about 100. There is an A / 9 rack marking on the right side of the butt cap.

In form, this Sea Service pistol is actually extremely close to the "New Land Pattern" introduced in 1808 during the Napoleonic wars, one of many times EIC designs were later adopted British Armed forces. It measures 15 1/2 inches in overall length, and is fitted with a 9 inch long .67" caliber barrel. It has short "ears" on the butt plate, and the previously mentioned captured ramrod. There are two screws behind the cock, correct for a post 1762 pistol with the revised sear spring design, and it has a "Bridle" on the outside of the flash pan. The barrel is marked with the correct CROWN / GR / BROAD ARROW along with the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS, indicating Pre-1813 military inspection at the Ordnance Proof house on Tower Wharf close to the Tower of London, along with additional proof marks from EIC service. The lock functions correctly, holding at half-cock, and firing at full-cock. Of interest is that the hammer is a ring-neck design, less prone to breakage than the earlier "Swan Neck" type.

The stock of this example does show a good amount of use, but no major damage, just a small wood graft repair at the end of the trigger guard. These pistols were fitted with a large belt hook on the left side opposite the lock so a sailor could use his hands for climbing the yardarm or servicing the cannons during battle. The belt hook is still present on this example, and measures 6 inches long. The right rear side of the grip has a BROAD ARROW / B O marking for the Board of Ordnance, and there is also a very faint marking on the left side to the rear of the belt hook.

A lovely example of a hard to find EIC Sea Service pistol with some great markings and research potential!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: 1799
Caliber: .67" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 9 inches
Overall Length: 15 1/2 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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