Pedersoli An IX de Cavallerie

Davide Pedersoli & Co. S.r.l. · Pistol · In Production

Also known as: Pedersoli An IX Pistol, An IX de Cavallerie S355

Overview

The Pedersoli An IX de Cavallerie is a modern Italian-made reproduction of the French Model An IX cavalry pistol, the smoothbore flintlock that armed the mounted troops of Napoleon's First Empire. Built by Davide Pedersoli & Co., it is a single-shot .69 caliber (17.5 mm) muzzle-loading flintlock with a 210 mm smoothbore barrel, a walnut stock and polished brass furniture including the heavy skull-crusher butt cap of the original. It is produced for black-powder re-enactment and historical target shooting.

Specifications

Weight (empty)1000 g (35.3 oz)
Overall Length350 mm (13.78")
Barrel Length210 mm (8.27")
Action TypeMuzzleloader
Firing MechanismFlintlock
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity1 rounds
Magazine TypeInternal
Muzzle Velocity150 m/s (492 fps)
Effective Range15 m (16 yd)
Maximum Range40 m (44 yd)
Rate of Fire2 rpm
Barrel RiflingNone
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWalnut
FinishWhite Steel Barrel With Polished Brass Furniture On A Walnut Stock

Calibers

Features

Production

Ongoing Pedersoli catalog item; reproduction of the Napoleonic An IX cavalry pistol.

Origin

Country of origin: Italy

Notes

Historical reproduction (Pedersoli catalog code S355). Reproduces the French An IX pattern issued circa 1803-1807. Manufacturer lists an empty weight of 1.0 kg; several retailers quote roughly 1.35 kg (about 3 lb), closer to the surviving originals.

Background

The pistol it copies was carried in pairs in saddle holsters by hussars, chasseurs and cuirassiers; once the single ball was fired there was no time to reload in a charge, so troopers reversed the weapon and used the brass butt cap as a club, earning the original the nickname 'skull crusher.'