NAPOLEONIC WAR ERA**Famous Zeeland Family Of Dutch Naval Heroes Connections** C1815 Liege Belgium / Dutch Sea Service .650 Calibre Flintlock Belt Pistol With Brass Fittings Engraved To Dutch War Ship ‘Admiraal Evertsen Vlissingen’. Sn 23048 .65 Cal Muzzleloader Muzzleloader

**NAPOLEONIC WAR ERA**Famous Zeeland Family Of Dutch Naval Heroes Connections** C1815 Liege Belgium / Dutch Sea Service .650 Calibre Flintlock Belt Pistol With Brass Fittings Engraved To Dutch War Ship ‘Admiraal Evertsen Vlissingen’. Sn 23048 - 23048

The country we know as Belgium, with the city of Liege, famous for its centuries of arms manufacture, was not yet independent at the time this pistol was made. It was part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands until 1839. That period in history was dominated by Napoleon’s wars of conquest and the Kingdom of the Netherlands was a part of the French Empire from 1795 to 1813. Under Napoleon’s rule it was renamed the Batavian Republic and then the Kingdom of Holland. During this time, the Dutch fought alongside the French. After Napoleon was defeated in 1813, William I was restored to head the government, and declared himself king in 1815 when Napoleon returned from Elba. His son, the future King William II, known as “Slender Billy” to the English, fought with Wellington at Waterloo against Napoleon. Liege pistols, although not the fine quality of the British versions were robust, heavy and well made, the short supply of British Sea Service pistols led to the British and other allied nations purchasing Liege variants to supplement their arsenals. Our Liege / Dutch Sea service pistol is in very good as found, un-messed with condition and has connections to the Evertsens, a prominent Dutch naval family from Zeeland, many of whom were admirals and naval heroes. It measures 15 ½” overall with a 9” round steel barrel. The smooth bore has light staining & residue consistent with age & service use. The top of the barrel is engraved ‘Admiraal Evertsen Vlissingen’ / Admiral Evertsen Vlissingen (the Dutch name for a city, which was historically known as Flushing in English). The inscription most likely relates to the name of Dutch warship several of which were named after the Evertsen family, possibly, the ship Admiraal Evertsen which was a Dutch ship-of-the-line launched in 1808. While Vlissingen (Flushing) was a significant Dutch naval port and home to the Admiralty of Zeeland, the specific operations of this particular ship were primarily in the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia) in the immediate aftermath of the Napoleonic wars). The barrel, lock plate and brass trigger guard have inspection marks including ‘W’ marks (most likely Dutch Wilhem II) and the steel belt bar has Naval anchor inspection mark. The brass butt cap with steel lanyard ring has engraved Ship’s armoury weapon number ‘14’ (illustrated). It has a heavy military cock. The heavy all original walnut full stock has brass furniture. The pistol is correctly without facility for ram rod as these pistols were belt carried. The metalwork has nice even patina throughout. The cocking and firing actions work crisply. The price for this interesting pistol worthy of further research includes UK delivery. NB As an antique flintlock pistol no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. Sn 23048

£1,375.00