BY ROBERT ROWLAND, LONDON, CIRCA 1720

细节

A Rare 10-Bore Break-Action Breech-Loading Flintlock Gun
By Robert Rowland, London, circa 1720
With swamped three-stage tip-up barrel engraved with acanthus foliage and released by backward pressure on the sliding trigger-guard, the breech section octagonal then polygonal and signed 'R. Rowland Londini', later reloadable iron cartridge, shaped tang engraved with foliage and a devil's mask, foliate engraved flat bevelled lock signed within a cartouche, the pan with automatic priming magazine with engraved hinged cover, figured walnut butt (an early working replacement, grip repaired) carved with a shell in relief behind the barrel tang, and foliate engraved iron mounts including escutcheon engraved with owner's initials (barrel and butt-cap with some wear and pitting), London proof marks, barrel-forger's mark R within a vase
26¾in (67.9cm.) barrel

出版

W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, Great British Gunmakers 1570-1740, pp. 403-4, plates 169 a-e

注意事项

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

拍品专文

Robert Rowland was admitted to the freedom of the Gunmakers' Company by redemption on 7 April 1715 and died in 1721. He made a number of firearms for the London merchant, John Tournay ('Near London Bridge or near Kingston in Surrey'), including a gun and a rifle (both dated 1718) on the same breech-loading self-primming system as the present gun. The first is in the collection of H.M. the Queen, at Windsor Castle (inv. no. L 247), and the second was sold by Sotheby and Co., Billingshurst, 15 July 1996, lot 214. Each is engraved with Tournay's address and personal scenes

Similar breech-loaders were made by Henry Delany and James Freeman