Need help on ID

[H4831]

Need help to find out what I have here in a flint lock.
Bore is 64 calibre, give or take a bit.
On the name, DAWES, there is something behind the "S," maybe a D, or a B, or something else, with an arrow through it, pointing to the rear and into the S.
Can someone identify the proof marks?
That is a "14" on the tang and IP stamped in the wood.
Where could I get a ramrod?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[NorthCoastBigBore]

Beautiful pistol - can't help you with the ID but if you don't mind a repro ramrod then go to Track of the Wolf; they have complete rods as well as the parts you need for a decent price. They ship to Canada with no problem. Dixie Gun Works is another option.

 

[tiriaq]

What you have is a pistol made for issue to militia in Canada during the 1812 War period.
While it resembles a standard British service pistol, note that the frizzen is unbridled, as is the tumbler. Less expensive to make, lesser quality.

 

[mooncoon]

top proof is crown over GR and I think a V underneath. GR in this case would be one of the Georges (George Rex)

 

[H4831]

Thanks a lot guys, great information.
I wonder what King George would be reining during the time frame Tiriaq mentions?

 

[tiriaq]

George III.

 

[H4831]

top proof is crown over GR and I think a V underneath. GR in this case would be one of the Georges (George Rex)

Looking right at the gun, the V you mention appears more to be an arrow, pointing down.

 

[H4831]

What a happy surprise on remebrance day, to find my gun was made for use in Canada, with a connection to the War of 1812!

 

[tiriaq]

Usually on these, the tang is stamped crown over 39; yours is different.
Many of these pistols were made by the same contractors who made trade guns. The Board of Ordnance also purchased a lot of trade pattern muskets for issue to irregular troops in Canada, including Indian allies. They have the circle fox NW Company marks, plus the King's mark on the lockplate and BO proofs. Often it is asumed that they are fur trade guns, but with these marks, they are government issue.
These pistols seem to have often survived in decent condition, and in flint, not converted to cap. I suspect that they when they were disposed of as surplus, enough time had passed that they were curios, rather than guns that would see regular use.

 

[H4831]

Found some more markings on the barrel. That appears to be a G, in front of the symbol.

Also, above the 14 on the tang are some more markings that are man made. Looking at them uside down, it looks something like 1F.

 

[tiriaq]

Tang mark is a crown over a number.