.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
These are among the earliest known true box-lock pistols, the earliest being the pair also by Lewis Barbar in the collection of the Duke of Buccleuch at Boughton House, which can be dated on stylistic grounds to the second decade of the 18th century (see Tessa Murdoch (ed.), Boughton House, The English Versailles, p. 165, fig. 173: Claude Blair, Pistols of the World, plates 300-302)
Louis Barbar (d. 1741), a French Protestant, born in Essendun, Poitou, came to London circa 1688 to avoid persecution, and was naturalised in 1700. In 1704 he was made free of the Gunmakers' Company, and his proof piece ('a very fine piece') was passed. He was appointed Gentleman Armourer to King George I in 1717, and to George II in 1727
Today the largest group of firearms by Lewis Barbar is preserved at Boughton. They were made to the order of John, 2nd Duke of Montagu (1709-49), who was Master General of Ordnance from 1740 to 1749. The accounts at Boughton record payments to Barbar which include '£150 for 200 Muskets', and a letter of 7 June 1718 to the 2nd Duke of Montagu from his vicar mentions that Barbar was responsible for the display of the firearms in the house at that date
Louis Barbar (d. 1741), a French Protestant, born in Essendun, Poitou, came to London circa 1688 to avoid persecution, and was naturalised in 1700. In 1704 he was made free of the Gunmakers' Company, and his proof piece ('a very fine piece') was passed. He was appointed Gentleman Armourer to King George I in 1717, and to George II in 1727
Today the largest group of firearms by Lewis Barbar is preserved at Boughton. They were made to the order of John, 2nd Duke of Montagu (1709-49), who was Master General of Ordnance from 1740 to 1749. The accounts at Boughton record payments to Barbar which include '£150 for 200 Muskets', and a letter of 7 June 1718 to the 2nd Duke of Montagu from his vicar mentions that Barbar was responsible for the display of the firearms in the house at that date