BY JAMES BARBAR, LONDON, CIRCA 1750

Details

A 25-Bore Flintlock Turn-Off Pistol
By James Barbar, London, circa 1750
With three-stage cannon barrel engraved with the number '2', engraved tang, border engraved action, the breech engraved with a band of foliage at the rear, signed below the steel-spring, and engraved 'London' on the upper side, moulded figured walnut butt carved in relief with a shell behind the barrel tang, cast and chased silver mounts comprising trophy of arms side-plate, rococo escutcheon engraved with viscount's crest and coronet, and engraved spurred pommel with grotesque mask cap, and engraved iron trigger-guard (some minor surface pitting), London proof marks
12in. (30.5cm.)

Literature

W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790, plates 341-5

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

The crest and coronet is that of Lionel Tollemache (1734-1799), who succeeded his father as 5th Earl of Dysart in 1770

James 1 Barbar (d. 1773) was apprenticed to his father Lewis in 1714, was free of the Gunmakers' Company in 1722, and Master in 1742. He was appointed Gentleman Armourer to King George II in 1741

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