(A) RARE FRENCH MODEL 1733 CAVALRY OR DRAGOON PISTOL

A fine example of the increasingly rare French Model 1733 Pistol, with octagonal-round barrel of 12-1/4" length and .70 bore, 19-5/8" long overall; inspection mark stamped of the left facet of the barrel near breech, consisting of a Fleur-de-Lis superimposed between the block letter “EC” and stamped Irish(?) registration number “GD 6618” on top of barrel. The beveled, flat lockplate with groove across the tail, gooseneck cock, and bridled pan; the lock bearing the same “EC” inspection mark as barrel above “Manufacture / de Charleville.” Brass mounts include buttcap with oval screw cover, flat sideplate, faceted trigger guard, two ramrod pipes and a noseband of flat, sheet-brass. The figured, walnut stock with raised carving around lockplate, sideplate, and barrel tang, terminating in teardrop finials, with additional raised carving along each side of the ramrod channel; “MC” stamped in the wood behind the sideplate; the wooden ramrod a later replacement. The first standard pattern pistol developed for the use of French cavalry and dragoons, this pistol was also configured for naval use with the addition of a belt hook. The brass, iron and wood portions from Model 1733 pistols have been recovered from the wreck of the Machault and military and native American sites in Canada. This was the first of the French pistol patterns sold for use of the Continental Army’s light dragoons, appearing in 1777 shipping manifests. CONDITION: The iron parts with light freckling and moderate pitting at breech near vent, the wood overall quite good, with a few dings; both metal and wooden parts show evidence of more recent cleaning; the front side screw a later replacement. JLK Barrel Length: 12 - 1/4" Caliber/Bore: .70 Smoothbore FFL Status: Antique Manufacturer: France Model: 1733 Serial Number: GD6618