Loyalist Arms Early Sea-Service pistol review

['Salem Bob']

Ahoy aloft and Alow,

At the end of January, members of our crew inquired with Loyalist Arms & Repairs as to whether they had any Early British Sea-Service pistols in stock. We were expecting a wait, and scrambled to get an order together for 5 of them when we learned they had them in stock, in .64 caliber (they offer them in .62 and .64).

Once they recieved the money, Loyalist assured us that it would be a matter of a few weeks time, as they had to assemble and fit and finish the pistols in their shop, as their normal custom for quality control. Three weeks later (there were a few unavoidable delays, due to minor family crisis and weather), the pistols arrived on my doorstep.

Here is a picture of the pistol from their website, which is a very reliable depiction of the goods.

As mentioned, the pistols are .64 caliber. Early british sea-service pistols can be found in this caliber, an .62 and .56. By the mid 18th century, the ordinance board settled on .56 as the standard pistol caliber for sea-service pistols. As the locks are marked 1739, this is not an issue.

On to both the positive and negative aspects of the pistols proper.

The pistols are very sturdily made, they are stocked in rosewood (the originals were stocked in Walnut, but most of the guns coming out of India are stocked in rosewood), the locks, belthooks and barrels are bright, as is the brass buttcap and lock screw washer.

The barrels have a much thicker wall than original examples I have seen - I have no doubt that this is for reasons of liability and safety , and it would seem that the end result is a very sturdy barrel. As with most Indian made reenactment weapons, looking down the length of the barrel, slight ripples can be seen along the surface of the barrel, while it seems originals had a finer finish in this respect, it does little to detract from the overall pistol. As it sees use and a patina develops, it ought be unoticable. One error is in the placement of the vaunted marks, with the breach proof appearing farther up the barrel than on originals (which was near to the tang). The gunsmith who drilled and proofed the barrels for us has a set of marks and so placed the mark properly.

The lock. Perhaps the best part of all the Loyalist Arms products I have seen is in the quality of the lock. The mainspring and feather springs are far heavier than original examples I have seen - most modern reproduction flintlock springs are cast, and then tempered - these are forged like the originals were. It takes some effort to cock the guns, but I think the mainspring would be one of the last things to fail on these guns, if it ever did. The marks are stamped on these locks - this is correct for Sea-Service pistols with the flat lock - other service arms have the crown and cipher engraved (unfortunately, to the best of my knowledge most reproduction arms have said marks incorrectly stamped). A slight matter of detraction in the lock stamps are the font of the lettering is incorrect (not overtly noticable, unless you really are looking, but it would be nice if they were the correct font). The ordinance broad arrow and crown property mark is the weakest part of the marking - it just isn't a good quality reproduction mark. My reason for pointing out these slight flaws is Loyalist proclaims the markings as being accurate.

The stock - As mentioned, the originals were stocked in walnut - these are stocked in rosewood with an unmistakable smell of 'Minwax' walnut stain as they arrive new. The stocks themselves are the weakest part of the reproduction - not as in quality of wood, but in accuracy of wood used, and in the carving proper. There is no way around it - the stocks are far beefier than the original pieces, and the carvings such as the 'beavertail' on the tang, the wood round the lock mortise, the 'meat' on the grip, ect, are all heavier by far than original pieces - there is more wood than on the original. The good news is that this makes it easy for the interested parties to tweak the stocks to the form of an original - there is plenty of wood to work with. Also, it does make the gun a bit more sturdy than an original in this aspect, but frankly, the stocks are 'overbuilt'. It also makes the reproductions heavier than their original counterparts, between the additional weight to lock, stock, and barrel. Minor flaws existed in the form of some hairline cracks near the mortising of the lock on several pistols (an easy fix for the gunsmith), and in one or two instances a tiney chip or deformation that is hardly noticable (and really makes the piece a bit more like an original). I suspect such flaws were incurred when shipping from one climate to another, and the inevitable and unavoidable expansion and contraction of wood with differences in humidity.

Finally, Several of the pins holding barrel and furniture were shorter than they really ought be, one or two triggers rattled, and one trigger guard didn't sit as flush to the grip as it ought - all very minor flaws. The one noticable flaw in looking at the pistol in profile - and there is no way around it, is that the shape of the trigger is obviously different from an original (the reproductions follow the curve of the grip - original triggers curl forward).

Service. Loyalist Arms was prompt and polite in answering any questions. While there was a brief few days when difficulties at the shop had me concerned, the delay was slight, and we recieved the pistols in a timely fashion. One slight gaff causing delay was we had requested the pistols touch holes undrilled, and the shop accidently drilled one, requiring the order to be split into two packages, which added slightly to the delay of delivery. I won't quibble about one week though.

Overall, I am very satisfied with the product. As a reproduction, I would rate it a 7 on a scale of 1-10 (1 being the worst, 10 being the best), for the reasons you can read in the detailed descriptions above. I was not expecting perfection for an exacting reproduction for @ $300 US (most decent pistols begin at $500 - some quality kits begin at that level). I would say the pistols are probably the best bargin for those wanting something historical and reliable on a budget, and are excellent reenactment weapons. I'll let you know how they shoot once I get a chance to put some roundball down range, but being an Indian made barrel, I do not expect to win any shooting competitions (in long arms, Indian made reenactment guns are notoriously less accurate than the products of American gunsmiths), neither do I expect the gun will ever blow up in my face, and given normal maintenance, would expect it to still be around and functional decades from now (probably many). Since the originals were not exactly weapons noted for long range marksmanship, but were intended to be used at 3-4 yards distance, I won't be dissapointed with it's accuracy whatever it is.

[Capt'n Corbin]

Bob, thanks for the great review. It was very informative.

['Salem Bob']

Bob, thanks for the great review. It was very informative.

Yer Welcome Cap'n,

I was a bit long-winded, but I wanted to give a fair and accurate review. I like the pistol very much - I've taken to having it on my nightstand next to my side of the bed, and indulging in the guilty pleasure of dry-firing it at things and people that annoy me on the television, in a very Elvis-esque fashion.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the product - as I said, it seems sturdier than the originals I've seen, and I don't think you can currently get more 'bang for your buck' for what is both a decent reproduction in spirit as well as form, and will be a reliable working firelock.

I would do business with Loyalist Arms in future.

[capnwilliam]

A very comprehensive, and on the whole positive, review, shipmate.

Me, I'm getting a bit perturbed with Loyalist Arms. I ordered my sea service pistol from them several weeks ago, haven't gotten it yet; e-mailed them last weekend, got an apology, the message that they're behind schedule but will ship next week (this was last week) and will e-mail me when they do. So far, no pistol, no e-message.

Capt. William

[Black Deacon]

A very comprehensive, and on the whole positive, review, shipmate.

Me, I'm getting a bit perturbed with Loyalist Arms. I ordered my sea service pistol from them several weeks ago, haven't gotten it yet; e-mailed them last weekend, got an apology, the message that they're behind schedule but will ship next week (this was last week) and will e-mail me when they do. So far, no pistol, no e-message.

Capt. William

Hey Will I've bought several pieces in the last couple of years from them (Steel to Shot) and have never had a problem or delay. Thanks to this and a few other boards they have become quite popular. Sorry you are having difficulties but sems to just be your week in the barrel.

[HarborMaster]

I just recieved my 2 new Military Heritage sea service pistols., and these are IDENTICAL.., even to the wear on the the crown logo on the lock....., I love mine ITS AWESOME..,

HarborMaster

['Salem Bob']

A very comprehensive, and on the whole positive, review, shipmate.

Me, I'm getting a bit perturbed with Loyalist Arms. I ordered my sea service pistol from them several weeks ago, haven't gotten it yet; e-mailed them last weekend, got an apology, the message that they're behind schedule but will ship next week (this was last week) and will e-mail me when they do. So far, no pistol, no e-message. 

Capt. William

Ahoy Cap'n William,

Ping them again. As I said, I had a few days of worry like you are having now, and it added up to a weeks delay. The Canadian end of the business is one fellow and one or two helpers working in a barn, with the owners wife answering the e-mail. It is running toward reenactment season, and if they had a flood of orders I wouldn't be surprised for the delay. Thew owner also runs up the prototypes that get shipped off to be prosuced in India.

When I hadn't heard from them in a few days, I pinged them again - polite, but persistant, and that is how we got the goods.

Seeing other small reenactment oriented businesses, I klnow it's easy for them to get swamped.

[capnwilliam]

Aye, Bob, I'm still waiting. No further word from them. I reckon it's time to annoy them a wee bit!

:)

Capt. William

[Capt. Morgan]

Blast! And here I am preparing to order one o' them sea-service pistols meself... and I have a VERY limited amount of time to mess around with... let us know how things progress!

[Zorg]

Jeez,

If Id known the free western world (or what's left of it these days) was orderin from em, Ida been more patient. How many of these things have they had to proof in the last two weeks?

['Salem Bob']

I just recieved my 2 new Military Heritage sea service pistols., and these are IDENTICAL.., even to the wear on the the crown logo on the lock....., I love mine ITS AWESOME..,

HarborMaster

Ahoy Harbourmaster,

I believe Military Heritage recieves it's longarms and pistols mostly from the same source as Loyalist, but has them finished in India (Loyalist is a longtime custom gunsmith, he does the prototypes, and then the Indians make them for him and everyone else - or they get copied by other Indian companies - copyright is fast and loose over there).

I didn't consider getting the Military Heritage ones because they are the 1805 short barreled model, which does our crew no good for a 1740's-70's impression.

Military Heritage is a shade cheaper, but your dealing with Indian quality controll on the finished goods - they are quite capable of making a decent product however. If they make what your looking for, it is certainly a good option.

[capnwilliam]

Loyalist told me today, that they're going to ship today, and will provide shipment tracking numbers when they do.

So far, no numbers.

Capt. William

[Capt'n Corbin]

Military Heritage is a shade cheaper, but your dealing with Indian quality controll on the finished goods - they are quite capable of making a decent product however. If they make what your looking for, it is certainly a good option.

That is good to hear. I like the Military Heratige version of the heavy dragoon better than the Loyalist anyway.

[capnwilliam]

Loyalist told me today that they'd shipped. They provided tracking numbers, and said that the weapon should be here in about 6-7 business days.

Capt. William

[Black Deacon]

Loyalist told me today that they'd shipped. They provided tracking numbers, and said that the weapon should be here in about 6-7 business days.

Capt. William

Glad they got it worked out mate. Let us know how they are when they come in.

[Deacon Frye]

Middlesex Village Trading Company offers a Sea Service with the 12" barrel:

$299 US.

They're located "about 15 miles from Concord's historic North Bridge" in Massachussetts.

Not far from Salem, Bob.

(Caveat, I haven't done business with these folks-this shouldn't be construed as a recommendation.)

[Hawkyns]

I just got a Sea Service from the same people who make them for Loyalist Arms but made to the specs of a chap in CA. Same lock, with a truck mainspring, but stamped EDGE 1739 and the crown and cipher below the pan. This really is the Early Pattern, with the 12 inch barrel, wooden rammer and banana lock plate. It has a couple of features that I think are a little better in the detailing, like having the beaver tails cut into the wood above the trigger guard.

Sparks like a charm, and I can't wait to put powder and ball down to see how she groups.

Reference for info "Pattern Dates for British Ordnance Small Arms 1718-1783" De Witt Bailey, Thomas Press, 1997

Hawkyns

['Salem Bob']

I just got a Sea Service from the same people who make them for Loyalist Arms but made to the specs of a chap in CA. Same lock, with a truck mainspring, but stamped EDGE 1739 and the crown and cipher below the pan. This really is the Early Pattern, with the 12 inch barrel, wooden rammer and banana lock plate. It has a couple of features that I think are a little better in the detailing, like having the beaver tails cut into the wood above the trigger guard.

Sparks like a charm, and I can't wait to put powder and ball down to see how she groups.

Reference for info "Pattern Dates for British Ordnance Small Arms 1718-1783" De Witt Bailey, Thomas Press, 1997

Hawkyns

Ahoy Hawkyns,

Errr... The details you describe are the same as the 5 pistols we just ordered 'EDGE 1739" with a crown and cipher below the pan. Wooden rammer, bananna lock plate and all. The detailing in the wood of the examples we recieved are present, they are heavier executed than originals though. Maybe you got a look at a prototype rather than a production model.

The butt on the example Deacon Fry posted is the correct shape, whereas the too much wood on the Loyalist examples grip doesn't give it the proper ball shape, until wood is removed.

All three examples we have posted are from the same manufacturer in India (including Middlesex Village). The reason we didn't use Pete is he can't get spare parts should something break, and he hasn't been properly hardening his frizzens. Loyalist also offers a discount for group orders.

[Hawkyns]

HMMMM..... That gives pause for thought..... I've seen several variants, but no others with the EDGE 1739. Interesting. The one I got came from CA as a prototype, but it fits all the specs. If that's what they're selling now, then it's a good repro. The wood on mine has the proper swell under the forestock. The ball butt seems to be more attributable to the pattern 1756. The early pattern, or pattern of 1718 doesn't have such a pronounced ball butt, at least according to the pictures in Bailey.

All in all, though, much of this is moot. Different armouries, over a period from 1718 to 1756, means a huge number of variations in the weapons. That doesn't even take into account local armoury refit, field repairs, and bodging together from broken weapons. I'd be very surprised if even Tower Armouries wall of weapons has identical pieces.

Either way, It sounds like we've all got some excellent weapons.

Hawkyns

[capnwilliam]

My Loyalist sea service pistol finally arrived! I managed to assemble it, but obviously incorrectly, because the trigger and hammer are frozen into position. Well, I have no time to work on it tonight; will take it apart tomorrow and try again. :)

Capt. William

[Coastie04]

As for those in the Tower Armories, they at least got all the arms in a single display the same...and there were many. I uploaded some of the pictures on to the gallery here.

Coastie