CIRCA 1660

Details

A VERY RARE ENGLISH 30-BORE BREECH-LOADING FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOL
Circa 1660
With two-stage turn-off barrel with a pronounced ring at the muzzle and later attached fore-stock, the breech octagonal then polygonal and retaining traces of engraved decoration including a female portrait bust, long tang engraved with running flowers and foliage on a hatched ground, rounded lock indistinctly signed 'T. Hadley D.(?) Halesowen' and with engraved tail, the cock and steel each pierced and chiselled with scrolls, moulded walnut stock (chipped, bruised and repaired) with a raised panel at the barrel tang, iron trigger-guard and spurred pommel, the former with chiselled intaglio of a Roman warrior's head, the latter engraved en suite with the barrel tang, and pierced brass side-plate involving two female demi-figures (some wear and surface pitting)
20in. (50.8cm.)

Provenance

W.G. Renwick, Part V, Sotheby & Co., London, 12 November, 1973, lot 69

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

The barrel is locked by a bolt which engages with the iron plate at the rear of the fore-stock. The bolt can be withdrawn by pressing on the trigger, a system employed by Harmann Barne, and other Civil War gunmakers

Very few pistols of this type have survived. As the others are all rifled, it seems that the barrel of this pistol has been bored out. Halesowen is in the vicinity of Birmingham

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