Quote:
Originally Posted by adrian
That is quite a neat set. Is it possible to see the Ordnance markings on your pistol please? ?
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Hi Adrian, I remember that you are an expert in the world of firearms so I'm guessing that you are probably tactfully asking whether the pistol is one of the fakes! I knew about them so I'm confident mine is not.
I have had my share of mistakes over the years so I am much more careful these days.
Apparently back in the 1970s a company in France (?) manufactured a load of Long Sea Service pistols that were almost identical to the original. Well made and complete with inspection marks. I don't think they were made as fakes but as reproductions for re-enactment or for black powder shooters. However they have become fakes and regularly fool auction houses, dealers and collectors. Many years ago, one respected researcher and author noted them as 'made by the Tower but of inferior quality to save expense' in his book of the time but notably removed from his next edition!
There are many LSS pistol survivors, which regularly come up for sale - so there are many pictures to study on the net. I passed over a few that I was not 100% sure of, until this one.
This is a really good explanation of what to look out for if anyone is interested in buying one.
https://www.wilson55.com/news/flintl...ervice-pistol/