Lot Essay
Joseph Sowerby was apprenticed to James Peddell in 1700. He was free of the Gunmakers' Company in 1708 and died in 1741.
BY JOSEPH SOWERBY, LONDON, CIRCA 1730
Details
A 16-Bore Silver-Mounted Flintlock Turn-Off Pistol
By Joseph Sowerby, London, circa 1730
With two-stage cannon barrel engraved with a band of foliage, signed breech engraved with a further band of foliage, engraved tang, engraved action, figured moulded swelling walnut butt (repaired) carved with foliage behind the barrel tang, engraved separate trigger-guard, cast and chased mounts including dragonesque side-plate, vacant escutcheon, and grotesque mask pommel (heavily cleaned throughout), London proof marks
11in. (29.8cm.)
By Joseph Sowerby, London, circa 1730
With two-stage cannon barrel engraved with a band of foliage, signed breech engraved with a further band of foliage, engraved tang, engraved action, figured moulded swelling walnut butt (repaired) carved with foliage behind the barrel tang, engraved separate trigger-guard, cast and chased mounts including dragonesque side-plate, vacant escutcheon, and grotesque mask pommel (heavily cleaned throughout), London proof marks
11in. (29.8cm.)