Early 19th Century British Ordnance Canadian Indian Pistol With Broad Arrow Inspection And Dated Storekeepers Stamps

A very interesting and scarce Board Of Ordnance Contract pistol made by Robert Wheeler (one of 16 Gunmakers so employed) to assist with the supply of arms in the War of 1812 in Canada. 

I understand that the British Board Of Ordnance ordered a total of 26,786 firearms from the 16 contractors during the War of which Wheeler produced 1,491.  A total of 2,636 were pistols, but unfortunately it is unknown how many of Wheeler's 1,491 were pistols.  

Robert Wheeler was a Birmingham based gun and pistol maker and there was a Senior and Junior who carried that name;

Robert Senior is listed from 1766-1783, after which Robert Junior joined him and pistols were marked Wheeler & Son until 1798.  In 1799 Robert Senior passed away and his son took over, meaning that pistols were once again signed Wheeler until 1813, after which they begin to be marked Wheeler & Son again for another decade.  There are two more alterations like this until 1843.

With the Ordnance Storekeepers Stamp this one sits correctly in the 1799-1813 timeframe.

He had several contracts to supply arms, including one for the Hudson Bay Company for Indian Trade Guns, but with the Ordnance Stamps, this is not one of those.

Ok, to the pistol itself......

Full stocked in walnut with brass ramrod pipe, trigger guard, buttcap and Military sideplate.

The steelwork is in good condition and smooth surfaced with the exception of an area around the touch hole which is pitted and there is a "bite" mark on the barrel just behind the Proof Marks.

These Proof Marks are the Crown GR Broad Arrow and Crown Cross Scepters of the British Ordnance and there are several other worn Inspection Stamps and initials.

The lock is very clean with simple border line engraving and signed Wheeler.  It also carries the Crowned Broad Arrow Inspection stamp.

The barrel and the lock were the two parts of these Contractor firearms that were required to be sent for inspection and proofing in the Tower by the Board of Ordnance, although this piece does seem to have a couple of Crown Inspection stamps on the stock by the trigger guard and then there is the dated Crown GR cypher Storekeepers stamp of 1800 on the butt behind the lockplate.

The mainspring is in good and the action, although not crisp is also good in both half and full positions (the video shows this clearly). The stock is in good condition with only a few bruises and one closed up crack at the muzzle on the right hand side.

The wooden ramrod might be a replacement, but it is difficult to tell as frustratingly I cannot remove it!  I'm unwilling to apply more pressure on it for fear of damage, although I feel it will free up.

I was originally unaware of what we had here, but the research has been most enjoyable.

A rare well stamped piece of history in good condition.

Barrel length 23cm,  Overall length 38.5cm

This antique pistol is considered obsolete and non functioning, and is sold as a collectable ornamental item. This product is available for purchase in the UK without a license