Original French Napoleonic Model An XIII Flintlock Cavalry Pistol made at Saint-Étienne Arsenal – dated 1811 Original Items

Original item. Only One Available. This is a GREAT example of the Classic French Military Flintlock Pistol of the Napoleonic era, made at the famed IMPERIAL ARSENAL at SAINT-ÉTIENNE. This arsenal, properly termed Manufacture Impériale de St. Étienne (also known as Manufacture d’Armes de St. Étienne), is a famous factory located in located in southern France. They would later develop numerous firearms, including the well known MAS revolvers.

The pistol is marked on the lock plate Manuf. Imp. / de St-etienne in scroll engraving below a proof mark. It features all brass mounts on walnut wood stock fitted with large skull crusher butt cap, and is dated 1811 on the barrel. It also has the correct Mle. an 13 marking on the barrel tang, short for “Modèle An XIII”, introduced in the 13th Year of the French Revolutionary Calendar, or 1805. There are various proof marks on the metal components, such as CROWN / J on the lock, FLOWER / H on almost all of the fittings, and an R and C proof mark on the barrel.

This is a very nice service used example of a French Dragoon pistol of the Napoleonic era. The lock is functional, though it will fire at both half and full cock. The top jaw and retaining screw of the cock also have been replaced by knurled battlefield workshop fabricated spares. The pistol still has a ramrod, though it does not have the correct cupped head, and the bore is clear, with some light oxidation on the barrel walls. The stock definitely shows wear, with dents, chips, and gouges consistent with service. The left side of the wrist has a gouge that looks like it started as wood worm damage.

A pistol that may well have seen service at WATERLOO, having been produced just 4 years prior! Ready to display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1811
Caliber: .67″ Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 7 inches
Overall Length: 12 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

The Pistolet modèle An XIII was a flintlock cavalry pistol, in service in French units from 1806 until 1812. It was mostly inspired by the Pistolet modèle An IX, which it succeeded, but also incorporated elements of the Navy pistolet modèle 1786, notably the barrel mountings. Over 300 000 pistols were made, mostly between 1806 and 1814 in Charleville, Maubeuge and St-Etienne. The Americans copied the design as the Harpers Ferry Pistol, and used it against the British during the War of 1812.

The Pistolet modèle An XIII was designed to equip mounted units, each horseman using two pistols. It was also used by the Navy. An improved version, known as the M1822, was produced after the Napoleonic Wars. They were kept in service well into the 1840s, at which date the pistols still in usage were converted to use percussion caps.

The model number for these is derived from the French Republican calendar, which counts 1792 as Année I (An I), with the year starting in late September. An IX began 23 September 1800, and An XIII began 23 September 1804

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