Mid To Late 18th Century English Brass And Walnut Full Stocked Flintlock Pistol Signed Walls Stratford On Avon
A very good looking pistol where all the metal parts, except the cock, frizen, spring and trigger are made from brass.
The styling of the long eared buttcap and pierced sideplate all point (to me anyway) that this piece dates from the mid 18th Century.
The octagonal to round brass barrel is stamped with Private Tower Proof Marks and along the top flat is engraved in script "Stratford on Avon" and some decoration.
The brass lock is worn but almost devoid of decoration except some simple engraving around the step and the makers signature, Walls, again in script.
The buttcap and trigger guard have an engraved flower decoration and the trigger guard with its almost French influenced shape is finished with a nicely decorated pineapple finial.
The mainspring is good and the action is both crisp and smooth in both half and full position and the frizen with its roller spring is lively.
The walnut stock is in good condition with some bruising, especially around the barrel wedges and the horn tipped wooden ramrod fits snuggly in place and could very easily be original.
With its mainly brass construction this pistol could easily have been made for use as a Coachmen's pistol, for a guard who would have either been at a station at the rear of the coach or inside as protection against Highwaymen, who were prolific in the mid 18th century.
I have looked into this maker who was recorded as William Walls residing in 8b Chapel Street, but this seems to have been from 1800, but I have been unable to find any earlier information.
If you like brass mounted pistols, then this is definitely one to look at.
Barrel length 19.5cm, Overall length 34.5cm.
This antique pistol is considered obsolete and non functioning, and is sold as a collectable ornamental item. This product is available for purchase in the UK without a license
