Lot Essay
This pistol was not proved. The maker is almost certainly Edward Birchett who was admitted to the freedom of the Gunmakers' Company in 1726.
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CIRCA 1725-30
Details
A SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK TURN-OFF PISTOL BY BIRCHETT, LONDON
circa 1725-30
With three-stage turn-off cannon barrel, the breech section octagonal changing to sixteen-sided, decorated with a series of small motifs stamped within engraved borders and inscribed 'London', the action border-engraved and signed below the steel-spring (cock associated), moulded figured walnut butt carved with an acanthus spray in low relief behind the breech tang (two small chips, a hairline crack opposite the action), cast and chased silver mounts, comprising pierced side-plate, grotesque mask butt-cap (hallmarks indistinctly stamped), and acanthus escutcheon engraved with owner's crest, and with separate iron trigger-guard and breech tang.
12¼in (31.1cm)
circa 1725-30
With three-stage turn-off cannon barrel, the breech section octagonal changing to sixteen-sided, decorated with a series of small motifs stamped within engraved borders and inscribed 'London', the action border-engraved and signed below the steel-spring (cock associated), moulded figured walnut butt carved with an acanthus spray in low relief behind the breech tang (two small chips, a hairline crack opposite the action), cast and chased silver mounts, comprising pierced side-plate, grotesque mask butt-cap (hallmarks indistinctly stamped), and acanthus escutcheon engraved with owner's crest, and with separate iron trigger-guard and breech tang.
12¼
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
Sale room notice
Please note that the VAT applicable on this lot is payable at 5.001 on hammer price and at 17.5 on the buyer's premium
Please note that the provenance for this lot is
Major H.B.C. Pollard (1888-1966), author of A History of Firearms, 1926. For a comprehensive biography see Claude Blair, Pollards History of Firearms, 1983
J.F.R. Winsbury, Christie's, May 16, 1973, lot 256
Please note that the provenance for this lot is
Major H.B.C. Pollard (1888-1966), author of A History of Firearms, 1926. For a comprehensive biography see Claude Blair, Pollards History of Firearms, 1983
J.F.R. Winsbury, Christie's, May 16, 1973, lot 256