This exquisite Flintlock Pistol
has a rifled turn-off barrel.
It predates Queen Anne`s reign,
which began on March 8th 1702.
The pistol was once part of
Clay P. Bedford`s
collection (#1190) and was
exhibited at the Metropolitan
Museum of Art in the early
1970s.
(1) What
follows is the museum`s
catalog description.
Cannon barrel rifled
with six grooves, in two
stages separated by molded
girdle, ending in expanded
muzzle ring; flattened top
at breech terminating in
leaf ornament. Dog safety
operating between half and
full cock; single-leaf
upward-curved "steel"
spring. Butt of figured
burl-walnut; steel
furniture; rounded pommel,
chased with raised edges
and volutes; side plate
pierced with floral
scrolls; single side nail;
blank escutcheon with
pierced pendant swags;
button trigger; no trigger
guard.
Henry Ellis, Doncaster,
about 1690 (1)
