Lot Essay
The signature on the lock is probably that of James 1 Barbar (d. 1773), free of the Gunmakers' Company in 1722, Master in 1742, and appointed Gentleman Armourer to King George II in 1741
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ALMOST CERTAINLY BY H.W. MORTIMER, LONDON, THE LOCK SIGNED BARBAR, CIRCA 1780
Details
A 16-Bore Flintlock Sporting Gun
Almost certainly by H.W. Mortimer, London, the lock signed Barbar, circa 1780
With earlier blued two-stage Portuguese barrel in two stages with turned and chiselled girdle and gold spider fore-sight, inlaid with gold scrollwork at the muzzle, the octagonal breech section inlaid with gold strapwork, foliage, coronet and monogram, and the date '1721', and stamped with two gold-lined maker's marks (worn) of Joseph Francesco of Lisbon (Støckel 381-2), gold-lined touch-hole, engraved grooved tang, signed rounded lock retained by two side-nails and with raised border, figured walnut full stock with take-down fore-end (fore-end cracked, minor bruising), chequered grip with a dimple at the centre of each diamond, engraved iron mounts including trigger-guard with second pattern acorn finial, and original horn-tipped bone ramrod with worm (the barrel with some pitting and loss of gold inlay near the touch-hole)
42¼in. (107.3cm.) barrel
Almost certainly by H.W. Mortimer, London, the lock signed Barbar, circa 1780
With earlier blued two-stage Portuguese barrel in two stages with turned and chiselled girdle and gold spider fore-sight, inlaid with gold scrollwork at the muzzle, the octagonal breech section inlaid with gold strapwork, foliage, coronet and monogram, and the date '1721', and stamped with two gold-lined maker's marks (worn) of Joseph Francesco of Lisbon (Støckel 381-2), gold-lined touch-hole, engraved grooved tang, signed rounded lock retained by two side-nails and with raised border, figured walnut full stock with take-down fore-end (fore-end cracked, minor bruising), chequered grip with a dimple at the centre of each diamond, engraved iron mounts including trigger-guard with second pattern acorn finial, and original horn-tipped bone ramrod with worm (the barrel with some pitting and loss of gold inlay near the touch-hole)
42¼in. (107.3cm.) barrel
Provenance
Eleanor, Lady Abercromby, Forglen House, Turriff, sold in these Rooms, 18 December 1974, lot 157 (480 gns. to Neal)
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.