Antique Flintlock Pistols For Sale Page 2

An excellent untouched example of an early flintlock duelling pistol by John Twigg circa 1770.  Sighted 9.75” octagonal 28 bore barrel signed Twigg in script, LONDON in capitals - signature worn, gold touch hole. Border engraved stepped lock signed with Twigg’s second form of signature, 1765-1780 (see plate 185, Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790 by W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back for an identical lock). Swan neck flintcock, distinctive V cuts to top of lockplate behind the cock. Steel mounts, the engraved trigger guard with second pattern of acorn finial, ramrod pipes with horn capped tapered ramrod with single worm tip extractor. Full stocked with distinctive flattened sides finishing with vertical grooves close to the tail of the lock plate. Shell carving of second type of design (not symmetrical) carved around the steel tang. Stock in good condition but with old cracks each side forward of the triggerguard retaining pin.

An excellent untouched example of Twigg’s early work. According to W. Keith Neal, Twigg’s best weapons bore his actual signature. Twigg was one of the leading London gunmakers of the period. His business was situated at 132 Strand, London between 1760-1776 during which time Durs Egg worked for him. In 1776 he moved to Piccadilly, London where John Manton became his foreman before branching out on his own in 1781.

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

A good quality Georgian flintlock boxlock 50 bore pocket pistol by Twigg of London. Engraved bronze frame lock with flags/arms on either side around an oval signed TWIGG and LONDON. Sliding safety, line engraved flintcock and sprung frizzen. Steel triggerguard engraved with starburst. Excellent strong action. 1.75” turn off steel barrel with proof mark. Frame with matching proof marks under. Walnut slab sided stock. Handling marks to stock and marks to barrel but all original including top jaw and screw which are often replacements. Overall length 6.35”. 

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

An extremely scarce American Revolutionary War Period stepped wedge case for a pair of flintlock pistols. Red leather with brass hinged loop handle and large brass lock plate (no key) with cusped bevelled border. Old repair to leather seam/hinge at the back. Interior in original contoured lined green velvet Leather inscribed in ink ‘S Bruester Case of Pistols New York’.

The (subsequent?) owners inscription is circa 1800. The case is late 18th Century circa 1770. It is highly probable that it was used in the American Revolutionary War, 1775-1783. Cases of this nature are noted to contain the pistols in their individual cloth or soft leather bags/pouches.

25.5cm high x 10cm x 10 cm.

The price includes UK delivery. 

Note:  S Bruester was Samuel Brewster (Bruester) — of New York,  Member of New York State Senate Middle District, 1804-08.

Provenance:
Collection of Dr. Shaun Brown - Bonhams Sale no. 20801, 24 April 2013, Lot 446.
Collection of Field Marshal Sir Francis Festing G.C.B, K.B.E, D.S.O.
Acquired from Peter Dale Ltd in 1971.

A French  An 13 (Year 13 or 1804/05) Cavalry Pistol, Manufacture Impériale de Maubeuge, 1815, near Museum Quality.  201mm barrel of musket .69 bore with five flats around breech which is marked EF on one side and 1815 on the other. Clear  "M'le an 13"  marking to tang. All original regulation brass furniture with clear inspector marks. Original steel button headed ramrod. Stock with inspectors marks and manufacturers roundel, original varnish with minimal handling marks. The best we have ever seen in totally original condition, obviously used from slight wear to frizzen face and pan but in superb order. Mild staining to iron parts, wood is excellent.

Maubeuge-made cavalry pistols are rare and this gun not only comes from this desirable manufactory but it also bears the historic date of 1815, indicating it was made after Napoleon returned from exile in March 1815 but before his defeat at Waterloo and abdication in June, after which the markings changed from “Impériale” to “Royale”. This pistol is in superb condition with all of the highly desirable Imperial markings in crisp condition: "M're  Imp'le  Maubeuge'"  the “Manufacture Impériale” on the lockplate and the “EF” (Empire Francaise) stamps on the barrel breech forward of the touch hole and the left side of the stock within a stamped acceptance roundel with the year date of 1815. This pistol was made for the Waterloo campaign and was probably used there. Extremely hard to find in such great condition, especially from Maubeuge.

The Year XIII is the successor to the Year IX pistol, although the Year IX was still in use throughout the First Empire (1804-1815). The Year XIII pistol shares many characteristics of the Year IX. The most obvious difference is in the manner of attaching the fore end band which is a different shape and has only one ring rather than the two of the Year IX resulting in the shortening of the wooden stock below the barrel. The other major difference is the fixing of the barrel band - on the Year IX it was held in place by a band spring and on the more robust Year XIII it was held in place by a screwed tang extending rearwards secured in place by the forward lockplate retaining screw. See "French Military Weapons 1717-1938" by Major James F Hicks, page 88.

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.

A William IV New Land Pattern Flintlock Cavalry Pistol, circa 1830-1837, with regimental markings on trigger guard of 'YH' over 'G' over '27'. Stock with strong Board of Ordnance mark. 9” barrel with feint inspector’s marks and crowned MR. Lock with throat hole border engraved cock, semi-waterproof pan, stepped bolted lockplate with border engraving and Crown over WR. Regulation brass furniture comprising domed butt cap, trigger guard with regimental marks, side plate, ramrod pipe and fore end cap. Captive swivel ramrod. 15 ½” overall.

The regimental mark of YH indicates that this pistol may have been made for the Portuguese contract (hence the crowned MR of Maria I from 1828-1853) but probably re-issued to the Yorkshire Hussars. For more information on the Portuguese contract please see British Military Pistols 1603-1888 by R.E. Brooker, Jr. There is no record of any Portuguese regiment linked with YH markings

Very good condition throughout with nice patina. Lock is in particularly good condition with excellent internal mechanics - a top quality lock.

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.

A good flintlock duelling pistol by John Manton of London with 25 Bore 9.5" barrel, circa 1810. Re-browned large bore octagonal sighted twist barrel (smoothbore) signed 'MANTON - LONDON' in gold capitals, two gold breech lines on inset breech, platinum lined vent, breech tang engraved with a sunburst together with foliage and stand of arms, original lock with raised waterproof pan with Manton signed lock with further foliage and stand of arms engraving and wheat ear lined border, matching wheat ear bevelled border to Swan neck flintcock, matching wheat ear engraving to frizzen, cam type frizzen spring. Blued trigger guard and butt cap with stand of arms engraving to guard and fine acorn finial. Superbly engraved mounts. Horn tipped ramrod. Nicely figured walnut stock, characteristic chequered butt, half stocked with horn fore end and silver barrel bolt escutcheon. Vacant silver escutcheon to shoulder of stock. 15in (38 cm) overall length. No serial number present and no barrel proofs - neither of which is unusual for a Manton pistol as we have encountered many over the years not numbered or with proof marks. A classic duelling pistol by one of the best makers.

Good re-browned barrel with minor pitting and near 100% gold inlay. Fine condition furniture with crisp engraving and near 100% blue. Excellent original working lock except for possible old replacement top jaw, screw and frizzen spring. Walnut stock has normal age related handling marks and has an old repaired split near barrel bolt and fore end. Overall very good condition.

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.

A good New Land Pattern Flintlock Pistol, circa 1800.  9" regulation bore proofed barrel. Flat border engraved lock engraved with a Crown and marked Tower with contractors initials of RW, Robert Wheeler. Flat border engraved ring necked cock, semi waterproof pan. Walnut fullstock with various markings. Regulation brass mounts. Swivel ramrod.

Stock is very good with a well executed old inset repair during working life between triggerguard and ramrod. Iron furniture and barrel with minor pitting. Brass mounts in very good condition.

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.