The Prussian Model 1850 Pistol was obsolete from the moment it was adopted and was absolutely archaic by the time it was removed from service. The gun was a single shot percussion pistol with a 15mm smooth bore (about .59 caliber) and an 8 ¾” tapered round barrel with a reinforced “cannon barrel” muzzle ring. It was a large gun at nearly 15” in overall length, with heavy brass mountings and heavy iron reinforcement bands in the backstrap and gripstrap. The pistol also included a unique safety mechanism that both prevented accidental discharge of the pistol and helped to avoid the loss of percussion caps when the gun was loaded. In many ways it was quite similar to percussion dragoon and lancer pistols that were prevalent in Europe and American during the 1840-1850 period. 

However, the Prussians had adopted the incredibly advanced Model 1841 Zündnadelgewehr (Needle Rifle) in 1841 and it was in production by the middle of that decade. The Model 1841 Rifle was the first successful, widely issued bolt action military rifle and was the grandfather of all bolt action military rifles that would be produced in the coming decades. While it was still a rather large bore (15.4mm or about .61 caliber) and still required a black powder powered, paper cartridge, it was so far advanced compared to muzzle loading arms of the era that it seems almost anachronistic that the technologically advanced Prussian Army would “saddle” its cavalry and other military branches that carried pistols with a large caliber, single shot, smooth bore, percussion pistol. It seems even stranger, when you realize that the Model 1850 pistol remained in use through the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and was only superseded in 1879 by the Model 1879 Reichsrevolver, a single action, self-contained cartridge revolver. 

Part of the resistance to issuing a more modern handgun to the cavalry was the traditional Prussian approach to heavy cavalry that relied upon the saber charge, or in the case of the Uhlan (lancer) regiments, the charge with lances, to act as shock troops to break up enemy formations. Sadly, this concept of cavalry tactics was out of date by the mid-19^thcentury, but it would take the early lessons learned in the Great War for the entire world’s militaries to know that the day of the gallant cavalry charge on horseback was truly at an end. 

The M1850 pistol was produced by the Prussian state arsenals at Potsdam and Saarn, as well as by private arms contractors in Suhl like Valentin Christian Schilling (V.C.S.), Spangenberg & Company (S&C), and Spangenberg & Sauer (SP&SR), with the pistols produced at Saarn being the least often encountered, as Saarn only produced the guns from 1851 to 1862, when the arsenal was closed and the work load was moved to the arsenal at Erfurt. Even though the saber (or lance) was considered the primary weapon of the Prussian cavalry, a pair of 1850 pistols was issued for carry in pommel holsters by the troopers of Uhlan (lancer) and Kürassieren (heavy cavalry) regiments.

This example of a Prussian M1850 Cavalry Pistol is in about GOOD+ to NEAR VERY GOOD condition. It was manufactured in Suhl by a partnership between gunmakers Valentin Christian Schilling and C.G. Haenel and is clearly marked in three lines on the lock, forward of the hammer: {PRUSSIAN CROWN} / SUHL / S&H. The left angled breech flat is dated 1868 twice and numerous Prussian inspection and proof marks appear in the various small parts and stock of the pistol. The top of the breech is stamped with the {CROWN}/FW mark of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV. The rear of the pistols butt is unit marked:

24.A.2.42

This marking indicates that the pistol had been issued to the 24^th Artillery, 2^nd Battalion (or Battery) and was weapon number 42. The assembly number 79 appears on the heads of the screws throughout the gun.

The pistol is 100% complete and correct, with no parts missing and remains in about GOOD+ to NEAR VERY GOODcondition. The lock has a medium dove gray patina, with mostly legible markings, and shows some lightly scattered patches of darker, oxidized age discoloration and some minor pitting. The lock functions crisply and correctly on all positions and percussion cap safety lever functions correctly as well. The barrel of the pistol has a thin layer of old, yellowed dried oil or varnish over it, as does the brass furniture. The barrel has a medium gray patina with moderate oxidation over it showing freckled discoloration, as well as evenly distributed light to moderate pitting. Much of that pitting is almost certainly attributable to poor storage in a slightly damp environment. The bore of the pistol rates about GOOD and is dark and dirty with moderate pitting along its entire length. The pistol retains its original breech pin mounted rear sight, as well as the front blade sight. The original cone (nipple) is in place in the bolster of the pistol. The original iron swivel ring is in place in the pommel cap of the pistol. The brass furniture of the gun has a rich golden patina, which is darker due to the old, dried oil of varnish that is also present on the barrel. The pommel cap, trigger guard and barrel band all show a matching color and all fit the pistol very well. All of the brass furniture shows small, crowned inspection marks. The stock of the pistol is in about GOOD+ to NEAR VERY GOOD condition as well. It is complete and solid and free of any breaks or repairs. The stock appears to have been cleaned long ago, and this has left the inspection marks and cartouches weak. However, the {CROWN}/FW mark of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia, is still fairly legible in the wood on the counterpane. A number of other small, partially legible inspections stamps are present on the counterpane and to the rear of the counterpane. The stock shows numerous bumps, dings and rubs, as would be expected from a 19^th century military pistol that saw field service and use. 

Overall, this is a solid and attractive example of a Prussian M1850 Pistol that is marked to an artillery unit and dated only two years prior to the eruption of the Franco-Prussian War. This large, single shot, muzzleloading smoothbore percussion pistol is an interesting example of European small arms doctrine, as it was made during the period when the US military was looking to alter its percussion revolvers to metallic cartridge and was starting the search for a metallic cartridge design for general issue. This is a cool example of the last of the European “horse pistols” that was in use at a time when it was 100% obsolete. This would be a great addition to any European martial pistol collection and would be a perfect item to add to a Prussian Cavalry or Artillery display or a Franco-Prussian War collection.