Make: British

Model: Long Pattern Sea Service Pistol

Serial#: NSNV

Year of Manufacture: Circa Late 18th to early 19th Century

Caliber: .56 Smoothbore

Action Type: Single shot, flintlock, muzzleloading pistol

Barrel Length: 12"

Sights/ Optics: None

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip:  The stock is one piece smooth walnut, one ramrod pipe, belt clip, brass trigger guard, and brass butt cap. There are age appropriate nicks, scratches, and compression dents throughout. There are some light chips. There are acceptance and rack mark stamps above the grip. There are no structural cracks. Overall this stock is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Armory Bright

Finish Originality: Original 

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is no erosion. There is light tool marking, possibly from honing or cleaning. In this writer's opinion this bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its original finish. There are light scratches throughout. There are light pits and corrosion stains scattered throughout. There is very minor erosion around the touch hole. The screw heads show light tooling but are serviceable. The rear lock plate screw is stripped. 

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used guns a full cleaning may be necessary to meet your standards.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The British Long Sea Service pistol was a principal Royal Navy sidearm during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with the familiar long-pattern configuration characterized by a 12" smoothbore barrel, full walnut stock, brass furniture, single ramrod pipe, and iron belt hook. Early-19th-century Pattern 1801 examples are well documented with .56-caliber bores, “TOWER” and crowned “GR” locks, King’s proofs, and Board of Ordnance inspection markings. Particularly noteworthy are surviving examples bearing a crowned “2” beneath the pan, which Christie's identifies as the inspection mark of an East India Company lock viewer. Documented pistols combine this EIC inspection mark with British government proofs and Ordnance markings, demonstrating the overlap between East India Company inspection and British military arms procurement.

This example retains the classic Long Sea Service configuration with its 12" .56-caliber smoothbore barrel, full walnut stock, brass furniture, single ramrod pipe, and belt hook. The armory-bright metal remains relatively strong for its age, showing scattered scratches, light pitting and corrosion staining, and very minor erosion around the touch hole. The mostly bright bore is particularly strong for an antique martial flintlock, showing no observed erosion and rating 9/10, though the light tool marks may indicate later cleaning or honing. The stock remains solid with age-appropriate handling marks and minor chips but no structural cracks, while the action functions correctly. The combination of British military proofs, Ordnance markings, and the crowned “2” East India Company lock-viewer’s mark makes this a particularly interesting British martial pistol and suggests that an EIC-inspected lock or pistol subsequently entered Board of Ordnance service. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!