Late 17th/Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Style Flintlock Pocket Pistol Signed "Segalas" and "Londini"
An absolutely cracking little pistol, half stocked in walnut with a screw off cannon barrel and a ball trigger.
The lock is relatively undecorated except for a line border and his signature "Segalas"
The barrel has clear London Proof Marks and the stamp "IS" for Israel Segalas, and along the top flat is inscribed in the same way as his signature is "Londini".
The pierced steel sideplate is formed in the shape of a stylised fish or dolphin and the long eared buttcap is engraved with a flower design.
The mainspring and action is very good in half and full position.
The walnut stock has also survived incredibly well with no visible signs of splits or cracks.
There is some age related minor damage to the walnut at the tail of the lock and around the pierced sideplate.
I must note that below the escutcheon, just above the buttcap, I can see a couple of straight lines, very faint, but they are there. If it is a sign of a repair it is a very good one.
Israel Segalas was an Emigre Hugeonot Gunmaker who came to London from France.
Born in Navaret in 1670 he fled the Catholic persecution of Protestants and arrived in England at the end of the 17th Century.
He became a prominent and well regarded Gunmaker in London as did his son later in the mid 18th Century.
He passed away in 1737.
A very rare early flintlock pocket pistol by a very famous London Gunmaker.
Turn off barrel length 5.5cm, (8.5cm overall) Overall length 18.5cm.
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
