Late 18th Century English Full Stocked Brass Barrelled Flintlock Pistol By Owen Probin
Without doubt the heavy octagonal brass barrel is the stand out feature of this pistol, with its clean but unpolished patina, silver (white metal) fore sight and steel rear sight built into the tang.
It has clear London Proof Marks and modest engraving at the breech.
The stepped and bordered lock is likewise quality, but simply decorated having a sunburst design at the tail and the makers name within a foliate oval cartouche.
It features a rainproof pan, roller bearing to the frizen spring and a sliding safety catch.
The main spring is strong and the action is very crisp in half and full position. The safety catch only clicks forward slightly, but it is enough to prevent bringing the action to full position or releasing the trigger.
The woodwork is in good condition with the usual bruises you'd expect after 240 plus years, but there are no splits or cracks.
It has a very nice brass tipped wooden ramrod that I suspect is original, given how well it fits.
The steel trigger guard is very large and I suspect this is to allow for comfortable firing whilst wearing heavy gloves.
Could this have been considered a duelling pistol? Quite possibly, given its build quality, front and rear sights and austere decoration.
Duelling with pistols started being the "thing to do" in the late 18th Century, replacing swords, but the evolution of the duelling pistol was a gradual process being perfected over the decades.
Now to the maker. The Probin's were a family of quality Birmingham Gunmakers that started with Thomas in the late 17th Century. There were three Owen's in the family that I could find out about, dating from the mid 18th Century to the murder of the third one in 1814.
It is on the internet, but I would be happy to print off what (considerable) information I have, for the new owner of this handsome piece, if so desired.
Barrel length 23cm, Overall length 37cm.
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
