May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
A rare example in original flint of the Spanish regulation pistol that saw extensive service on both land and sea in the Seven Years’ War and American and French Revolutionary Wars. Overall length is 19 inches, with a pin-fastened, octagonal-to-round, tapering barrel of 11 - 3/4" and .69 caliber. (.75 bore). The flat, unbridled lock is 5 - 1/2 x 1", with beveled edges to the plate and a tail with contoured point. Its gooseneck cock has long, flattened upper and lower jaws and a ringed screw carried over from those found on traditional Spanish miquelet locks. The tail of the lock bears the touchmark of its maker, “ZAGVI” in an oblong cartouche, while a crowned inspection mark is found under the pan. There are similar touchmarks struck into the stock on both sides near the barrel tang. The thumbpiece is in the form of a crown-topped shield and bears a script “R” engraved upon it, indicating “Real” or royal ownership. It and the other mounts are brass, including a butt-cap with long ribs or ears, a sideplate with alternating or zig-zag curves, a trigger guard and two ramrod pipes. Used heavily by the Spanish dragoons and presidial light cavalry in the Americas, the M1753 was also used as a boarding pistol and not only by the Spanish. The remains of these pistols were found on the wreck of the HMS De Braak, which sunk off the Delaware Coast in 1798. CONDITION: Both wood and metal show long and hard service, yet are surprisingly intact and complete with all original parts. The lock mechanism is soft, but holds both half and full cock. The metal has uniform light pitting and has been recently cleaned, while the wood has heavy bruising and dings, with some minor edge loss around the lock and barrel. JLK
Caliber/Bore
.72 Smoothbore