Early 19th Century English Flintlock Holster or Officers Pistol Signed Edwards
With an 8.5" round barrel of 0.67" calibre and private London Proof Marks.
Full stocked in walnut with brass furniture.
The steelwork has some light pitting overall and the barrel has had some work carried out to improve the finish.
The lock has a dark grey patina and is signed in script Edwards.
The mainspring is fine and the action holds in half and full position, but it all feels quite "soft", it doesn't snap into place.
There is quite a lot of play in the hammer (more when it is at rest), but the retaining screw is tight, so I can only guess that there is wear to the internal lock parts.
The brasswork has a pleasant patina and although mainly undecorated, the trigger guard ends in an acorn finial.
This piece received some restoration work back in 1996 and on the invoice (see photos) the restorer has made a note about which Edwards may have made this pistol.
There are many Edwards Gunmakers, the restorer mentions John Edwards, 169 Newmarket Street, Wapping, London, 1805-1808. He fits the bill very nicely and I have found only one other who was making guns a little later than John, he is Henry Edwards of Alton in Hampshire in 1823.
An inexpensive complete and named flintlock pistol.
Barrel length 21.5cm, overall length 36.5cm.
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
