Original Dutch Napoleonic Belgian Made Flintlock Naval Pistol with Belt Hook Named to Ship ADMIRAAL de RUYTER - circa 1795

Original Item: Only One Available. This type of Pistol was manufactured in Belgium, which was under Napoleon Bonaparte's control until 1814. Production continued after the battle of Waterloo in 1815 and very possibly into the 1820's. Belgium was an Industrial powerhouse, with its great capacity coming from the City of Liège, where gun making was a key industry, and would end up supplying Military Weapons all over Europe after Belgian Independence in 1830.

There is no provision for ramrod, the mounts are all of brass and the grade of manufacture is really quite high. Unlike many we see, this example is fitted with a lovely 5 1/2 inch long belt hook on the left side, which would allow easy attachment to the clothes when necessary. Probably one of the most encountered original flintlock martial pistols from Europe encountered to day. There are no maker markings on the gun, except for a CROWN over DN proof mark on the lock plate just rear of the pan. This is an arsenal stamp indicating "Delft Nederlandse", indicating it was processed at Delft arsenal in the Netherlands before being dispersed into service. There is also a marking on the top of the barrel that is three stars over 19 in a diamond, a marking we do not recognize.

The pistol is fitted with a 9" barrel showing a stylized ADMIRAAL de RUYTER engraved on the top. Admiral Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter (24 March 1607 – 29 April 1676) was a Dutch States Navy officer. His achievements with the Dutch navy during the Anglo-Dutch Wars earned him the reputation as the greatest naval commander of 17th century Europe. He had NINE different ships named after him, and we think this pistol is named after the first, Admiraal de Ruijter, a 68-gun Batavian ship of the line that the British navy captured in the 1799 Vlieter incident and took into service as the 64-gun storeship HMS De Ruyter. She was on her way to Falmouth, Jamaica to serve as a prison hulk in September 1804 when the Antigua–Charleston hurricane caused her to be washed ashore and wrecked with the loss of one sailor. Being captured by the British definitely would explain the great condition of the pistol, taken as a war trophy after the ship was captured.

The pistol's overall length is about 15 1/4" and it has a large lanyard ring on the bottom of the brass mounted butt cap. All the mounts are brass and the overall condition is really nice. The stock does show wear overall from service, with scratches and small dents, and there is a wood graft repair on right side running from the nose cap back about 4 inches. The lock is fully functional, holding properly at half cock and only firing at full.

A great European Naval flintlock pistol, fully cleaned and ready to display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: c.1795
Caliber: .69" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 9 Inches
Overall Length: 15 1/4 Inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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