{"product_id":"royal-navy-long-sea-service-pistol-1805","title":"Royal Navy - Long Sea Service Pistol, 1805","description":"\u003cp\u003eLength overall: 49 cm (19.2in)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLong sea service flintlock pistol with 30.5cm, .625 calibre barrel with proof marks, the double line engraved sidelock stamped with the crowned ‘GR’ cypher of George III (reigned 1760-1820), ‘Tower’ mark and a crowned ‘2’ proof mark. Fully stocked in walnut with brass trigger guard and heavy ‘skull crusher’ buttcap. Complete with ramrod and steel belt hook to the side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe present example is representative of the pistol used by the Royal Navy in the American War Independence, the French Revolutionary War and Napoleonic Wars. It was extensively used when boarding an enemy ship or in repelling boarders, but with a 12-inch barrel it could be unwieldy in close-quarter combat. This eventually led to the creation of the shortened pattern of roughly 9 inches (23cm).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLong Sea Service pistols were supplied in pairs but reloading in action was virtually impossible. One officer wrote, 'According to the custom prevailing from the earliest period of naval history to the present day, in boarding or opposing boarders, the pistol is held in the right hand, and in the attempt to board is fired and thrown away to enable the boarder to draw his cutlass, which yet remains in the scabbard or left hand.’ Some officers however advised a reversal of these tactics. 'A man armed with a pistol ought to reserve his fire to the last extremity if his life is to depend on the discharge of his pistol killing the man opposed to him. It was recommended that he fire at not more than 3 or 4 y[ar]ds range’.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Armoury St James","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57303448748405,"sku":null,"price":4400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0511\/7008\/3014\/files\/L1700422.jpg?v=1781782489","url":"https:\/\/armoury.co.uk\/products\/royal-navy-long-sea-service-pistol-1805","provider":"The Armoury St James's","version":"1.0","type":"link"}