British Pattern 1856 Percussion Sea Service Pistol by Swinburne & Son

26-Bore (.56 Caliber). 6" pinned barrel. NSN. Bright barrel, color casehardened lock and hammer, brass furniture, walnut stock. Single shot percussion smoothbore muzzle loading pistol with fixed notch rear sight, post front sight, belt hook, swivel ramrod and lanyard ring in butt. Lock marked {CROWN}/VR at tail and 1855/TOWER and with a small {CROWN-BROAD ARROW} forward of the hammer. Counterpane marked by the maker SWINBURNE & SON and also W HAWKINS, probably the stock maker. Barrel Board of Ordnance inspection and proof marks. Numerous Board of Ordnance inspection marks throughout, including on the belt hook, ramrod, in the stock, etc. The last of the percussion single shot pistol to see use with the British Navy, in the post-Crimean War era many of the Colt M1851 Revolvers acquired in the mid-1850s were relegated to naval use, so that the army could be equipped with English revolvers, primarily from Robert and later John Adams. A nice, untouched example.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Very good. Bore dark and moderately oxidized with a lightly pitted smooth bore. Metal with a rich, deeply oxidized and completely untouched brown patina. Metal with some lightly scattered minor roughness and freckles of oxidation. Markings remain clear and crisp. Mechanically functional lock. Hammer screw is partially broken with half of the head missing. Stock fairly crisp with scattered bumps, dings and mars.

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Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Mr. Tim Carey

Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria

[email protected]513.666.4984

Mr. Carey joined Cowan’s, a Freeman's company, in 2021 and is a 40-year veteran of the sporting arms and outdoor recreation industry. Carey joined Cowan’s from Griffin & Howe at Hudson Farms in Andover, N.J., where he was responsible for the acquisition, appraisal, and consignment of top-tier firearms consignments from important makers such as James Purdey & Sons of London, Beretta, Caesar Guerini, B. Rizzini, Bertuzzi, Renato Telo, and Anderson Wheeler.

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British Pattern 1856 Percussion Sea Service Pistol by Swinburne & Son

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