Pattern 1853 Australian Constabulary Pistol

A British Ordnance pistol supplied to the Australian colonies for their Constabulary, in particular for Mounted Police. These are scarce in Australia and are very rare in England. Their round six-inch barrels have no sights, are smoothbore, of .65" calibre, and are fitted with a swivel, or captive, ramrod, so it could not be dropped and lost in mounted use. Its lock bears the crown over VR on the tail and 1854 TOWER to the center along with the small crowned-arrow Ordnance ownership stamp. Most of pistols of this pattern were made in 1853 and have that date, few have the 1854 date as does this example. The lock, stock and barrel bear numerous Ordnance acceptance etc stamps. The pistol functions well and is complete except for a small section broken from the ramrod end, overall its condition is fair to good. A modern inventory number has been discretely applied in small font to the trigger guard tang. This is a classic part of Australia's colonial history and mounted police were armed with these for hunting down bushrangers and for gold escort duties etc.