Turn-Off Barrel Flintlock
Pistol
by Thomas Green, Circa 1700
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This pair of English turn-off
barrel pistols probably predate
Queen Anne`s reign, which began
on March 8th 1702. The barrels
resemble cannons and have
unscrewing lugs. The walnut
stocks have relief carvings
around the barrel tang, silver
escutcheon and silver side
plate. The silver Ball and
Cheek butt cap has a detachable
Grotesque Mask. "LONDON" is
engraved on the top of the
breech. "T. GREEN" is engraved
on the lock below the pan.
Three proof marks are stamped
on lower side of breech
opposite the lock. Two are oval
shaped, a Crown over a "GP"
(the gun-makers proof) and a
Crown over a "V" (the "view
mark"). The third is Thomas
Green`s maker`s mark, a Crown
over "TG".
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Overview
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Type:
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Belt Pistol
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Style:
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Turn-Off Flintlock Pistol
Pair
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Country:
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England
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Overall Length:
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12 inches
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Barrel Length:
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5 1/8 inches
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Weight:
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1 lb. 7 1/4 oz
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Bore:
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0.635 inches, Smooth
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Stock:
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Walnut, Ball & Cheek
Style
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Thomas Green
Thomas Green worked in an area close
to the Tower of London known as
Minories. He was apprenticed to
Edward Nicholson in 1686 and was
admitted as a freeman of the
Gunmakers` Company in 1693. Green was
Gunmaker to Ordnance between
1697-1715, and was appointed Viewer
and Proofmaster to the Hudson`s Bay
Company in 1715. In 1720 Green was
elected Master of the Gunmakers`
Company. He died in 1728.
(1)
(2)
One of Green`s apprentices, Richard Wilson went on to found what became the largest single gunmaking firm in London.
(3)
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References
(1) Thomas
Green, Page 103
Gunmakers of
London 1350-1850 by Howard L.
Blackmore. Museum Restoration
Service, Bloomfield, Ontario,
1986.
(2) Holster
Pistol by Thomas Green (Bedford
#1250), Pages 21 and 22
Early firearms of
Great Britain and Ireland from
the collection of Clay P.
Bedford, New York Graphic
Society, Greenwich, Conn
(1971)
(3) The
Wilsons: Gunmakers to Empire,
1730-1832, By DeWitt Bailey II,
Page 11
THE AMERICAN
SOCIETY OF ARMS COLLECTORS,
Bulletin 85, 2002
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