Dutch Pistol for American Independence ca 1720

Dutch Pistol for American Independence ca 1720

Very early Dutch flintlock pistols from around 1720. This is a classic example of  the early 18th-century European trade pistol from the 18^th century New York frontier region. During this time, the Netherlands was a major hub for firearm design. These pistols were made for the American trade and incorporate American features, such as simple hardware, sort after in the American market. This pistol (17” overall) has a walnut stock, very early engraved flintlock, a smoothbore iron barre (10 ½”), and very simple brass handmade hardware. A good number of these early Dutch pistols were surplus and not in the best of condition; giving Dutch firearms a reputation for unreliability.

Most of these pistols made their way across the Atlantic to the Dutch Island of St. Eustatius in the Caribbean . They were widely used by early American colonists, militias, and troops during the F&I War and the Revolutionary War and even traded to the Native Americans.

“Until the Netherlands was drawn into war with Britain on the side of France and Spain, the carefully neutral Dutch Republic was better known for its weapons than its tulips.”

Agents of Ben Franklin purchased 2,000 Dutch muskets and pistols that were delivered to Massachusetts in 1777 from St Eustatius: most were labelled either; “Thone Amsterdam”, “G. Navi”,  or “Tomson” on the lock plates. Quite a few Dutch pistols and muskets used in America passed through the Dutch Island of St. Eustatius in the West Indies. Substantial quantities of gunpowder accompanied them. Being a free port, it was not subject to British blockade until 1774, and attracted lots of American merchant ships. Dutch guns were paid for with American lumber, dried fish, rice and tobacco. When Britain’s Admiral Rodney finally shut down the port 1780, he discovered that in the years 1778 to 79, 3,200 ships had passed through it; an average of eight per day. He also discovered 57 British merchants among the population who had been secretly trading with the Americans.

Because of the extensive frontier and war use not many of the early Dutch pistols survived. Hard to find early Dutch pistols from the F&I War and Revolutionary War eras.