Ref 3848. Victorian period British military officers LANCERS percussion pistol. .58 Muzzleloader

Largest selection of genuine antique weapons for sale in UK. See our website andrewbottomley.com Ref 3848. A rare mid Victorian period British military officers .60 percussion pistol. Made for the Lancers regiments. Circa 1840-1870. This is the type of percussion pistol carried by the famous 17th Lancers and other Lancer regiments. In December 1857 the 17th lancer regiment arrived in India to reinforce the effort to suppress the Indian rebellion against British rule. By the time the regiment arrived the rebellion was nearly over however it did take part in the pursuit of Tatya Tope, the rebel leader. During the course of the pursuit, Lieutenant Evelyn Wood earned the Victoria Cross for gallantry. The regiment returned to England in 1865. In 1876 it gained Prince George, Duke of Cambridge as its colonel in chief and the regiment adopted the title of the 17th (The Duke of Cambridge's Own) Lancers. In 1879 the regiment was sent to Natal Colony for service in the Anglo-Zulu War and fought at the Battle of Ulundi under Sir Drury Curzon Drury-Lowe in July 1879. The regiment was deployed inside a large British infantry square during the attack by the Zulu Army, which had surrounded the British. When the attack appeared to be wavering, the regiment was ordered to advance and their charge routed the warriors with heavy loss and proved to be decisive. Below is a picture named The last sleep of the Brave, this work depicts a patrol from the 17th Lancers discovering the bodies of two officers of the 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, who were both killed attempting to save the Queen's Colour of the 1st Battalion at the Battle of Isandlwana in January 1879. Plain unmarked lock-plate. 10 inch barrel. Fitted with a steel captive swivel ramrod. Standard military type brass butt cap fitted with an iron lanyard ring, brass trigger guard and ramrod pipe. The Walnut stock has a lovely deep patina. Overall Length is 16 inches. Good condition with some very minor dings and scratches. Very crisp action & spring. Ref 3848. This is an obsolete antique item and is sold as a collectors item only. No Licence is required in the United Kingdom. If you wish to purchase this item please visit our website andrewbottomley.com where you can pay by credit/debit card. Established 1968.