TWIGG POCKET PISTOL £495.00

VERY RARE PAIR OF 25-BORE BRASS-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK PISTOLS FOR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE BY THOMAS BARNETT OF LONDON, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

With two-stage brass barrels 8.425” long engraved 'CUSTOMS' along the top flat of the octagonal breech, London proof marks, foliate engraved tangs, signed border engraved flat bevel edged locks each with engraved decoration and roller frizzens, figured full stocks with rounded butts, border engraved mounts comprising butt-caps, trigger-guards each with engraved pineapple finial and decorated with a Britannia shield and foliage, turned brass ramrod-pipes, and brass-tipped ramrods.

Thomas Barnett was contractor to the Ordnance from 1794. 

Provenance:

Formerly kept at the Customs House, King's Lynn, Norfolk

https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/norfolk/properties/kings-lynn-custom-house.htm

Exhibited:

The Craft of the Gunmaker, 1640-1870, Guildhall Museum,. Rochester-upon-Medway, August 1991-January 1992 (cat. no. 13, illustrated) 

Ex Dr Robert Rabett collection

See Frederick Wilkinson, Those Entrusted With Arms ..., 2002

The price includes UK delivery. No licence is required to possess this item in the UK if owned as a curio as part of a collection or display.

1730/1738 LAND PATTERN HEAVY DRAGOON FLINTLOCK PISTOL MARKED TO 1ST REGT DRAGOON GUARDS

An unusual variant of the 1730/1738 Land Pattern Heavy Dragoon Flintlock Pistol. Regimentally marked to top of barrel 1st Regt Dragoon Guards. Barrel is pistol calibre of .56 and has the Kings Proofs together with inspectors mark to tang. It is 10.5" long rather than the normal 12" but shows no signs of being cut down or altered. Iron ramrod. Fullstocked - again with no signs of being cut down or ramrod pipes relocated although there is a small old 1" long spliced repair on right hand side of fore end around forward barrel pin area. It is the original stock with the early Crown over entwined GR storekeepers mark (worn) between thumbpiece and lock. Stock condition is one of the best seen on this age of military pistol. 18" overall length. 

The brass regulation mounts consist of 1730 type long-spurred buttcap with the extra concentric ring, 1730 rounded sideplate, 1730 ramrod pipes and thumbpiece which is marked 7 T over No. 8, (pistol number 8 of 7th Troop). The triggerguard is 1738 specification and is original to the pistol as there are no signs of alterations in finial area and the 1730 finial was a different shape (see plates 42 and 43 of British Ordnance Small Arms 1718-1783 by De Witt Bailey).

The flat lock is an interesting variant, perhaps experimental as it has the same patina as the rest of the pistol and fits superbly. It is unlike any English lock with its brass inclined pan yet it does not conform to any Continental lock pattern either in size or style. I have checked Danish, Swedish, German, French and Italian lock styles in numerous reference books but there is nothing like it. The safety/dog lock type flintcock also appears to be unique but again with same patina. Mechanism is excellent and strong.

A superb looking early military pistol marked to one of the most famous British Regiments whose history can be found easily on the internet.

Further research may reveal more answers on this one!  It could be an experimental pattern or modified in period with a bespoke lock on the continent after being captured at one of the 1st Dragoon Guards battles such as Corbach or Warburg in 1760. All possibilities adding to a desirable addition to an early military pistol collection. 

The price includes UK delivery. No licence is required to possess this item in the UK if owned as a curio as part of a collection or display.

MAIL COACH INSPECTORS OR POST BOYS PATTERN FLINTLOCK OVERCOAT PISTOL WITH BELT HOOK BY J. HARDING.

An untouched 'Sleeper' - Early 19th century Flintlock Overcoat Pistol with Belt Hook by J. Harding of Mail Coach pattern either for Inspectors of Mail Coaches or Post Boys. 5.75" smoothbore octagonal 20 bore barrel marked BOROUGH LONDON on top flat. Foliate engraved tang and screw. Stepped bevelled border engraved lock signed HARDING (no other markings visible externally - may be some internally but lock not removed to inspect due to patina) with sliding safety, roller frizzen, excellent action. Brass furniture comprising triggergard and ramrod pipes. Original ramrod. Steel belt hook. Figured full stock with rounded butt. Overall length 11". Excellent condition apart from crack to left side fore end. Lovely patina. Very original and rare to find one with the belt hook and original ramrod.

There are various references to pistols by Harding of this size and style. See "Those Entrusted with Arms" by Frederick Wilkinson, Appendix 4 pages 257-258. The mark of a crown above a broad arrow often appears on barrels and locks of this pattern. However, as Wilkinson states, this " special mark is found on many, but not all, of Harding's coaching weapons". 

A very similar overcoat pistol is in the Postal Museum, exhibit 2009-0060/1 which is attributed to being carried by a Post Boy. See https://www.postalmuseum.org/blog/arming-the-post/  Also see The 89th London Antique Arms Fair Catalogue, Autumn 2012, article pages 48-49 of 'Firearms of the Mail Coach Guards' by F. Wilkinson for more useful information.

James HARDING, Gunmaker, 44 Blackman St., Borough, 1810; 38 Blackman St., 1811-24; 99 Blackman St., 1825-7; 82 Blackman St., 1828-33. Gunmaker to General Post Office (brass barrelled mail coach pistols & blunderbusses); Union Street Police Office, Southwark from 1816. James HARDING & Son Gunmakers, 82 Blackman St., Borough, 1834-6; 265 Borough High St., 1837-8; 246 High St., 1838-43. (Howard L. Blackmore -1986 - Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. USA)

The price includes UK delivery. No licence is required to possess this item in the UK if owned as a curio as part of a collection or display.