Original British Fur-Trade Flintlock Pistol by W. Ketland & Co. with Belgian Liège Proofed Brass Barrel – circa 1820 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Specifically produced in England for the North American Fur Trade, these Trade pistols were intended for the use of the Trappers and the Native American population as well. The lock on this example is marked W. / KETLAND & Co., for one of the most famous British gunmaking companies of the time.

This family business was started in 1740 by William Ketland, who is recorded as working from 1740-1804, eventually expanding to have operations in both Birmingham and London as W. Ketland & Co.. Following his death in 1804 the name was shortened to Ketland & Co., and it operated for decades under this name before finally folding in 1831. However it lasted over almost 100 years transacted a tremendous amount of business both domestically and abroad. Their Birmingham markings were so well known that in 1813 they became the official Birmingham Proof marks.

While the company definitely had the production capacity, they still often contracted out components, and the brass barrel on this example, while marked LONDON, also bears the the E / L G / * in an oval on the end of both barrels, indicating manufacture and inspection in Liège, Belgium. Following the Napoleonic wars, this country became a gunmaking powerhouse, a position it occupies to this day.

The pistol has all brass mounts, measuring 13 1/4 in overall length, and the barrel measures 7 1/2″ and is about .55 bore. It it still retains a brass tipped ramrod under the barrel, though this could be a working life replacement, as it looks to show a lot less wear than the rest of the pistol. The lock is functional, and holds at half-cock, firing at full.

These were widely distributed to the Native populations in both the United States and Canada during the early years after the revolutionary war. Many of these were later converted to percussion, however this example is still in the original flintlock configuration, which is rare to see.

In lovely display condition, just what one would have expected to see on the North American frontier! 

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1820
Caliber: .55″ Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 7 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 13 1/4 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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