Late 18th Century Cannon Barrel Queen Anne Type Flintlock Pistol Signed "Archer" and "London"
A handsome flintlock pistol with a long brass cannon barrel and body and a boulbous one piece walnut stock inlaid with silver wire and with a hallmarked grotesque mask buttcap.
The 3 stage cannon barrel unscrews cleanly and is stamped with early Birmingham Proof Marks.
The body has an intricate border engraving with "Archer" signed in script on the left side and "London" on the right side.
The steel trigger guard is in good condition with no signs of corrosion and an even dark patina, but is only decorated with a simple flower decoration.
The mainspring is good and the action is crisp in both half and full position and the frizen and its spring operate as they should.
The top mounted sliding safety catch does seem to operate correctly, but it looks very weak and I would advise extreme caution in operating it.
It looks as though the top jaw and screw are good replacements. The walnut grip is in good condition with a tiny amount of damage on the right side next to the body (where the wood is thinnest).
As is often the case some of the inlay is missing, but it is a beautiful intricate design.
The silver buttmask is of a classic design and is stamped by the maker Charles Freeth, a well known Silversmith of the time with a good reputation.
It also carries several other hallmarks, the Lion and Anchor for Sterling and Birmingham plus the bust of King George Duty Mark which was introduced in 1784 to generate revenue to help pay for the American War of Independence.
There looks to have been a fifth stamp, probably a date stamp, but I cannot make it out unfortunately.
Thomas Archer is listed as a Gunmaker, Sword Cutler and Factor from 1776 to 1807 and then with his son from 1808 to 1818.
Although he operated from 14 Lichfield Street in Birmingham, he marked his pieces "London".
A good quality George III period flintlock pistol.
Barrel length 9.5cm, Overall length 23.5cm.
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
