1854 Transport Corps Issue Percussion Pistol

A good percussion pistol with its lock signed by Blake & Co. London and dated, 1854. This commercial pistol is a modified Tower pattern, which is attributed to the Transport Corps, a paramilitary organisation that predates the Land Transport Corps.

The history of the civilian Transport Corps stems from the Crimean War, after inadequate supply lines failed to deliver the needed provisions from the port of Balaclava to Sevastopol. Much of what did get through only became possible through the efforts of businessmen who helped organise a civilian supply agency (the Commissariat), which was a non-military service that came under the control of the Treasury. Together, they appointed Commissariat-General Filder to oversee matters, as he was also attached to the British Expeditionary Force.

Following on, the military's own Land Transport Corps was formed by Royal Warrant in 24 January 1855.

True to British officialdom, after this pistol received its commercial proofs, it underwent further government inspection and acceptance, at which point the double Crown "T.C." (Transport Corps / Transport Commisariat ?) marks were struck into the furniture, denoting their provenance.

Offered in working order and with a strong action, this pistol is in solid condition with good walnut furniture where only the ironwork has overall surface pitting, resulting in its speckled appearance.

An interesting historic example.

Code: 51575