Pistolet modèle An XIII

Pistolet modèle An XIII
French cavalry pistol model An XIII, made by M.(anufacture) Imp.(éria)le de Saint-Etienne circa 1804-1815. M. On display at Morges castle museum.
Type	Flintlock pistol
Place of origin	France
Service history
In service	1806 - 1840
Used by	France and various others
Wars	Napoleonic wars
Production history
Manufacturer	Manufactures Impériales of Charleville, Maubeuge, St-Etienne, Tulle, Versailles, Mutzig and Torino
Produced	1806-1814
No. built	300 000
Specifications
Weight	1,270 kg
Length	352 mm
Barrel length	207 mm
Cartridge	16.54 mm, 27.19 g lead ball 6.52 black-powder propellant 1g black-powder ignition
Calibre	17,1 mm
Action	flintlock
Rate of fire	2 to 3 rpm
Muzzle velocity	168 m/s
Effective firing range	5 to 10 metres
Feed system	muzzle loading
Sights	fixed front post and rear notch

The Pistolet modèle An XIII was a flintlock cavalry pistol, in service in French units from 1806.

The Pistolet modèle An XIII was mostly inspired by the Pistolet modèle An IX, which it succeeded, but also incorporated elements of the Navy pistolet modèle 1786, notably the barrel mountings. Over 300 000 pistols were made, mostly between 1806 and 1814 in Charleville, Maubeuge and St-Etienne.

The Pistolet modèle An XIII was designed to equip mounted units, each horseman using two pistols. It was also utilised by the Navy. They were kept in service well into the 1840s, at which date the pistols still in usage were converted to utilise percussion caps.

Navy pistol, on display at the Musée national de la Marine 

Sources and references

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pistolet modèle An XIII.

• Le pistolet de 17,1 mm de cavalerie modèle an XIII