Details
A 20-BORE FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOL
BY JOHN COSENS (SIC), LONDON, CIRCA 1680
With slightly belled three-stage barrel, engraved tang, signed rounded lock with moulded border and engraved with strawberry foliage involving a monster-head (top jaw a working replacement), moulded highly figured rootwood full stock (fore-end replaced, butt repaired during the pistol's working life) with pronounced swelling behind the rear ramrod-pipe and raised apron around the barrel tang, iron mounts comprising pierced interlaced serpentine side-plate finely chiselled with foliage and engraved with a line of beadwork, shaped escutcheon engraved with owner's crest, spurred pommel engraved with strawberry foliage on each side and a band of acanthus foliage and beadwork around the pommel-cap, and baluster ramrod-pipes, and later horn-tipped ramrod (iron parts with some light pitting), London proof marks
18¾in.
