Lot Essay
Few examples of this maker's work survive
Details
A RARE PAIR OF 22-BORE D.B. FLINTLOCK CARRIAGE PISTOLS
BY JAMES LOWE, LONDON, CIRCA 1760
With sighted barrels each signed on the rib (signatures rubbed), and retained by a screw through the fore-end, grooved engraved tangs, signed border engraved bevelled locks (three cocks replaced, one steel associated) each fitted with a safety-catch (two replaced) in front of the cock, figured walnut half-stocks carved with foliage around the barrel tang, engraved iron mounts including fore-end plates incorporating the ramrod-entry and extending back to form the trigger-plate and trigger-guard tang, spurred pommels, silver escutcheons cast and chased with rococo ornament, and horn-tipped ramrods (one later), London proof marks and Foreigner's mark
16½in. (2)
BY JAMES LOWE, LONDON, CIRCA 1760
With sighted barrels each signed on the rib (signatures rubbed), and retained by a screw through the fore-end, grooved engraved tangs, signed border engraved bevelled locks (three cocks replaced, one steel associated) each fitted with a safety-catch (two replaced) in front of the cock, figured walnut half-stocks carved with foliage around the barrel tang, engraved iron mounts including fore-end plates incorporating the ramrod-entry and extending back to form the trigger-plate and trigger-guard tang, spurred pommels, silver escutcheons cast and chased with rococo ornament, and horn-tipped ramrods (one later), London proof marks and Foreigner's mark
16½in. (2)
Provenance
George Mullins, Wells, Somerset
Literature
W. Keith Neal & D.H.L. Back, Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790, plates 515-6