A flintlock pistol ... with a Portuguese lock.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Dmitry

I don't know anything about Portuguese firearms. Was this a regulation pistol?

Regulation means what it says: regulation. In the context, the rules for weapons uniformization ... be them Portuguese or other.
This is when rules are issued to describe the (new) military patterns to be used, whether the weapons are made at the arsenals or when soldiers (officers) are supposed to acquire their own pieces in private workshops, all obliged to follow the same design and basic characteristics.
Consequently a pistol or a sword being a pattern of a determined date, potentially obbeys to the regulation of the same date.
In some cases, officers could have their swords made with the regulation hilt design and use the blades of their ancestors, for honour or sentimental reasons, as long as those (blades) did comply globaly with the regulation measurements.
Also some high rank officers used to be recorded with pistols of a model not complying with the current regulation, whether because they (pistols) had a better performance or simply for show off. But you know all that, of course.
Fernando

[Dmitry]

Originally Posted by fernando

Regulation means what it says: regulation.

Thank you. I did not know that.

If this was a regulation piece, it should be easy to research. Lack of decoration on the stock suggests that it could've been an issue weapon, in which case you should see similar examples.
The lack or a band securing the barrel to the fore-end of the stock is also unusual, but I don't know anything about Portuguese firearms...

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Dmitry

Thank you. I did not know that ...

Don't take it wrong; i was referring to the connotation of the term, in its idiomatic expression.

Originally Posted by Dmitry

... If this was a regulation piece, it should be easy to research...

I don't think this is a regulation piece; this assuming that pistols were already a regulated weapon in Portugal by 1781 (i intend to check that).
However and despite Master Bartholomeu has been attached to the Royal Arsenals, it wouldn't mean that he ceased making pistols for private use; he might even already be dismissed from the Arsenal by that date. Besides, if this were an issue weapon, i'd say he would mark it with reference to the Royal Arsenal, and not just to Lisbon.

Originally Posted by Dmitry

... Lack of decoration on the stock suggests that it could've been an issue weapon, in which case you should see similar examples. ...

The stock is not decorated, but the barrel is. OTOH, these items are very scarce, easier to find in private collectors hands and not exhibited out there, i'm afraid.

Originally Posted by Dmitry

... The lack or a band securing the barrel to the fore-end of the stock is also unusual ...

Not really unusual; if you have a look to this period holster pistols in general, namely British, as large as may be, you will notice that the significant majority don't have a barrel band, as they are secured by pins or wedges to fore-end hooks.

Originally Posted by Dmitry

... but I don't know anything about Portuguese firearms...

You're not alone; my knowledge of Portuguese firearms is the same as about those from other countries: barely residual. But i love to learn.

Fernando