Lot Essay
James Freeman, son of James Paul, was apprenticed to his father in 1730, free of the Gunmakers' Company in 1738, and Master in 1754. He died in 1756
Details
A PAIR OF 22-BORE SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK TURN-OFF PISTOLS
BY JAMES FREEMAN (JUNIOR), LONDON, CIRCA 1745
With three-stage cannon barrels, breeches engraved with a band of foliage, signed below the steel-springs and numbered 1 and 2 respectively, engraved tangs, border engraved actions (one jaw screw replaced), trigger-guard safety-catches each engraved with a flowerhead, swelling figured walnut butts each carved with a shell behind the barrel tang, and cast and chased mounts comprising pierced foliate side-plates, rococo escutcheons engraved 'Tho.s Swinburne Esqr', and grotesque mask butt-caps, London proof marks, silver maker's mark JA
12½in. (2)
BY JAMES FREEMAN (JUNIOR), LONDON, CIRCA 1745
With three-stage cannon barrels, breeches engraved with a band of foliage, signed below the steel-springs and numbered 1 and 2 respectively, engraved tangs, border engraved actions (one jaw screw replaced), trigger-guard safety-catches each engraved with a flowerhead, swelling figured walnut butts each carved with a shell behind the barrel tang, and cast and chased mounts comprising pierced foliate side-plates, rococo escutcheons engraved 'Tho.s Swinburne Esqr', and grotesque mask butt-caps, London proof marks, silver maker's mark JA
12½in. (2)