19th Century Boxlock Overcoat Pistol With Interesting Engraved Names And Ornate Silver (White Metal) Body
A sidehammer boxlock percussion cap pistol with a Birmingham Proofed octagonal barrel and swivel ramrod slung underneath.
The trigger guard, body and finishing touches to the one piece walnut grip are made of silver (white metal) and are foliate engraved.
The steelwork has an even dark grey patina and the barrel looks as though it is twist damascus, but nearly all signs of this are gone.
The top of the boxlock has been inscribed with the words "C.Chaplin Esq Blankney" and the left sideplate with "Joe Manton, Bond Street, London". This and the swept spur trigger guard are what makes this pistol stand out.
The mainspring is good and the action is clean in both half and full position.
The one piece walnut grip is finely hatched and has a blank oval escutcheon at the shoulder made of silver (white metal) and in the same metal there is a band and another escutcheon around the butt.
The left hand sideplate is loose, but kept in place by two pins.
Ok, now to the inscriptions:
Charles Chaplin Esq was a prominent 19th Century Landowner, Member Of Parliament, Vice-Lieutenant of Lincoln and Owner of the Blankney Estate in Lincolnshire. There seems to be plenty of information about him available on the internet.
Manton is of course another very famous name in Gunmaking and there were several Josephs, but to sign it as "Joe" and in such a simplistic way (for a Master Gunsmith anyway) just doesn’t ring true that this was made by the Master Gunsmith Mantons. Also I don't believe they had a premises on Bond Street? It is all very interesting!
This is one of those very interesting and unusual pieces.
Barrel length 9cm, Overall length 20cm.
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
