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This is an important step in the evolution of military pistols, both in Europe and in North America. The 1733 pattern French pistol was the first standardized pistol for the French Army and Navy. The quality of manufacture of this pistol put it in high demand from other nations like Spain. A variation of steel hardware was theoretically used in the French Navy. However the 1759 French shipwreck Le Marchaut in the St. Lawrence River showed in practice, the brass hardware version was also used by the Navy.
Smaller calibre barrels also were manufactured. However the most used both on land and at sea is the version depicted here. Carts of this pistol also found their way into the hands of Jacobite Highlanders of Prince Charles's Army. On the Continent, France's cavalry wheeled this weapon with devastating affect at countless battles of the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years War.
This reproduction is a copy of one manufactured by J L. CARRIER which is marked on the lock. This professional was one of a number contracted in the St. Etienne area to fill military contracts for the french. This is a faithful copy of an original from the Musee de l'Armee in Paris right down to the hand hewed stock and hand fitting. The barrel is 12 inches long and is a .62 calibre and the pistol's overall length is 19 3/4 inches.
The lock is made with strong durable springs and has a case-hardened frizzen (hammer) that throws good sparks. We use a industrial case-hardening factory process that makes sparking both more reliable and longer lasting. Presently no other musket provider uses this technique.
