BY EDWARD BATE, LONDON, CIRCA 1770

Details

A Very Rare 64-Bore 'Flintlock' Air Pistol
By Edward Bate, London, circa 1770
With rifled brass barrel set within the two-stage brass air reservoir, the octagonal rear section (minor dent) signed on a ribbon within engraved rococo foliage and with a band of engraved beadwork at the rear, silver fore-sight, finely engraved brass tang, signed lock finely engraved with rococo scrolls and with moulded border and stepped tail, moulded figured walnut full stock (some bruising) carved in relief with a shell behind the barrel tang, the butt housing the pump, cast and chased brass mounts of unusually fine quality, elaborate trophy of arms side-plate and escutcheon, engraved spurred pommel with detachable grotesque mask cap allowing access to the rear of the pump, engraved trigger-guard, the finial in the form of a shell topped by a floral spray, and horn-tipped ramrod
20½in. (52cm.)

Provenance

R.J. Wigington

Special notice

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

Lot Essay

Constructed on the system introduced to England by Kolbe (see lot 28)
Edward Bate was at Brownlow Street, Long Acre, London, at the date this pistol was made

Cf. a similar pistol in the Royal Armouries, Leeds (inv. no. XII. 3833), and another sold from the W. Keith Neal Collection in these Rooms, 9 November 2000, lot 237 (£9,400 including premium)

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