Flintlock pistol designed for Admiral Philippe d'Auvergne 1754-1814. The stock is of walnut, fully stocked to the muzzle and fitted with a brass trigger guard and brass butt cap. There are two brass ramrod pipes into which the wooden ramrod is fitted. The lock is a flintlock. The barrel is of brass, circular section and smooth bore. The pistol is inscribed on the barrel 'HN' crown over crossed sceptres. The lockplate is inscribed 'TOWER NOCK' with a Georgian crown over 'GR', the stock is inscribed with a crown over '8', and a crown over 'GR' over '78'.

Born in Jersey in 1754, Philippe d'Auvergne entered the Navy at the age of 16. While stationed in the Channel Islands during the Napoleonic Wars he ran a secret service network passing information from the French Royalists to the British Government. He also formed a military corps from French Royalist refugees who had fled to Jersey. Two hundred of these pistols were made especially for them at 48 shillings a pair in 1796.