Pair of Boxlock Flintlock
Pistols
by Townshend, Circa 1783
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The Boxlock
English boxlock pistols
began to appear around
1730 (1)
and lasted well into the
percussion era of the
next century. With a
boxlock the cock (hammer)
is located in the center
of the lock on top of the
action. The flashpan and
frizzen are located just
in front of the cock on
the center of the breach.
The frizzen spring is
fitted into a recess on
top of the breech. Most
boxlock pistols have a
trigger guard safety.
Sliding the trigger guard
forward with the pistol
half-cocked, locks the
trigger and the cock.
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Description
This pair of boxlock flintlock
pistols have turn-off barrels
that resemble cannons. The
walnut stocks have silver
escutcheons and silver
butt-caps that feature a
grotesque mask. The pistols
both have a sliding trigger
guard safety. "TOWNSHEND" is
engraved on left side (cover
plate) of the locks. Two
Birmingham private proof marks
are stamped on the bottom of
each breech, a Crown over a "P"
(the gun-makers proof) and a
Crown over a "V" (the "view
mark"). Three silver hallmarks
are stamped on each grotesque
mask, an anchor indicates the
city of Birmingham, "CF" the
makers mark of the silver
caster Charles Freeth
(2)
and "L" the date letter for
1783 (3).
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Overview
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Type:
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Pocket Pistol
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Style:
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Boxlock Turn-Off
Flintlock
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Country:
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England
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Overall Length:
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7 3/4 inches
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Barrel Length:
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2 3/8 inches
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Weight:
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11 1/2 ounces
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Bore:
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0.43 inches, Smooth
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Stock:
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Walnut, Ball Butt style
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References
(1) Horton
& Richards, Traveling
Pistols, Page 127 to 132
(2) Gun
Furniture Makers registerd in
Birmingham, Page 170 to 171
(3) Date
Letters of silver hallmarks in
Birmingham, Page 184
Georgian Pistols,
The Art and Craft of the
Flintlock Pistol, 1715-1840, By
Norman Dixon
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