Ref 2646. A rare German Naval officers percussion Pistol by Gottlieb Haenel. Circa 1849. Muzzleloader

Largest selection of genuine antique weapons for sale in UK. See our website andrewbottomley.com. Ref 2646. A very rare nineteenth century German Naval officer's percussion Pistol by Gottlieb Haenel. Circa 1849. Marked on the lock-plate with a Double headed eagle. The pistols are identified as Navy property by the Reichsflotte's double headed eagle, SUHL G.H. (The makers initials) and an anchor denoting it was made for the German naval forces. The 9 inch barrel stamped with a anchor and double headed eagle. Brass butt cap, trigger guard and side plate. Captive swivel ramrod. Carved underneath the stock with the letters AH. Brass blade foresight. Since its creation in 1815 the German Confederation, while having formidable land armies had no need for an independent Navy. Instead it could rely on the large naval forces of three allies; The King of the Netherlands commanded the Royal Dutch Navy, the Duke of Holstein was commander of the Danish Navy and most powerful of all was the King of Hanover, William IV, who was also the King of the United Kingdom and commanded the British Royal Navy. However this arrangement soon fell apart and on 12 June 1848 the German Navy was born with a decision to spend six million Reichsthaler on a new Navy. In need of small arms the Marine commission turned to the German commercial arms manufacturers in Suhl and a contract was signed on the 9th May 1849 with three companies for a production of 1000 naval pistols, one of them being Gottlieb Haenel (makers mark is GH). On 31 March 1853 the Reichsflotte officially ceased to exist and the pistols were eventually sold off in 1861. Since they were no longer intended for sea use many of them had their belt hooks cut off. It is likely that some of them found their way to the USA around the beginning of the American Civil War, circa 1861-62. Overall length 16 inches. Nice crisp action. A small piece of the woodwork missing by the ramrod and a few dings and scratches to the woodwork during it's working life. An extremely rare and historical German Naval officer's pistol. Ref 2646. 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.