Make: Mre. Rle. de Maubeuge
Model: 1822 T Cavalry Pistol
Serial#: NSNV
Year of Manufacture: 1825, converted to percussion circa 1840s
Caliber: .69 smoothbore
Action Type: Single shot, muzzleloading, percussion conversion pistol
Barrel Length: 8"
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a small blade soldered to the barrel. The rear sight is a U notch integral to the upper tang.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one piece smooth walnut, brass forend cap, brass trigger guard, iron backstrap, and brass butt cap with lanyard ring. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There are scratches and nicks in the brass furniture. The original 1825 dated inspection stamp shows but has been overstamped with newer rack numbers. There are no structural cracks. Overall this stock is in Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Armory Bright, Brass.
Finish Originality: Original, Ramrod appears to be a replacement.
Bore Condition: The bore is dark. There is moderate corrosion and pitting throughout. In this writer's opinion this bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: The armory bright finish has largely worn to a patina with corrosion staining in all but protected areas. The brass is tarnished and age darkened. There is some pitting scattered throughout. The screw heads show some tooling but are serviceable. The markings are legible. Overall this pistol is in Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The lock 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 French Model 1822 Cavalry Pistol was one of the principal mounted-service handguns of the Bourbon Restoration period and represented the final major French regulation cavalry pistol designed for flintlock ignition. Manufactured at state arsenals including the Manufacture Royale de Maubeuge, the original Model 1822 used a smoothbore barrel of approximately 17.1mm and polished-bright iron with brass furniture. Beginning in 1841, France undertook a large-scale conversion of existing Model 1816 and 1822 arms to percussion ignition. These converted pistols became the Model 1822 T, or transformé, with the flintlock altered for percussion, a bolster and nipple added to the barrel, and the bore enlarged to approximately 17.6mm, or about .69 caliber. Pistols subsequently rifled beginning around 1860 became the Model 1822 T bis.
This example was originally produced at the Manufacture Royale de Maubeuge in 1825 and later received the regulation Model 1822 T percussion conversion, placing its modernization most plausibly during the 1840s. It retains the characteristic 8" smoothbore barrel, walnut stock, brass furniture, iron backstrap, lanyard-ring buttcap, soldered front blade, and fixed rear notch on the breech tang. The armory-bright iron has largely aged to patina with corrosion staining and scattered pitting, while the brass shows appropriate tarnish and age darkening. The stock remains structurally sound despite extensive handling marks, and its 1825 inspection stamp remains partially visible beneath later rack markings. The dark bore shows moderate corrosion and pitting and rates 6/10, while the lock functions correctly. The ramrod appears to be a later replacement. Overall, this is a well-used but historically appealing French cavalry pistol that illustrates the French military’s transition from flintlock to percussion ignition. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
