1790's Royal Navy 0.56 cal Short Sea Service Pistol

An absolutely stunning British sea service pistol, daring from the 1790's onwards.
This model with its 9" barrel took over from the previous length of 12" - which was reputedly unwieldy to use aboard rigged vessels of the era. 
With a George Rex Tower marked lock, board of ordnance stamp to the wood, and London proof marks to the barrel - if only this piece could tell you where it's been. 
The lock looks to be very early, and is of an earlier curved type, with a swan neck cock. The back of the lockplate has inspection stamps and functions excellently, with very strong springs. 
The lock and various other parts have got gunsmiths Roman numerals scribed jnto the edges - which allowed the gunsmith to identify which parts belonged to which gun whilst stripped and mixed on the bench.
This an incredibly fine example of a sea service pistol, from the golden age of sail. 
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