Sea service pistol
Back in the 80's, Dixie Gun Works was selling this as a kit for a "Tower pistol", $60. I've modified it considerably. First of all, I shaved down the forestock to the way it should be (not looking like a 2x4). I thinned out the grip and carved in the beaver tails. I replaced the trigger guard, and the ramrod pipe is a repro Brown Bess pipe.
It wouldn't spark worth a darn, so a blacksmith friend of mine brazed a piece of file steel onto the face of the frizzen. That was, and still is, an authentic solution.
Smoothbore of course, .60 cal., ordnance grade.
The belt hook was stolen from another pistol kit, where it was not needed.
There's an original British sea service pistol very close in length and proportions in the museum at Fort Niagra, NY. Of course I looked at it while I was working on this.
I use this as a re-enactor's piece for everything from F&I War to War of 1812. I expect pistols like this also found their way out in the Westward Expansion. I normally just shoot paper cartridge blanks with it, but I have also fired live ball and it's fine out to about 30 feet
It's a really cheap lock, with a "Tower" stamp, but it has been reliable over the years.
