A Very Rare Large English All Brass Silver Mounted Queen Anne Style Turn-Off Cannon Barrel Flintlock Pistol by HEYLIN, LONDON
A Very Rare Large Antique English All Brass Silver Mounted Queen Anne Style Turn-Off Cannon Barrel Flintlock Pistol by HEYLIN, LONDON, circa. 1760. 6 1/8", .65 caliber brass smooth-bore turn-off cannon muzzle barrel numbered "1" (most likely one of a pair). The pistol is in its original flintlock configuration. The brass frame has fine decorative engraving (a bit worn in areas) depicting a "panoply of arms" below the makers name "HEYLIN" on the top of the breech and "CORNHILL, LONDON" just below the frizzen spring on the right side. The bottom of the breech is struck with (2) oval "PROOF" and "VIEW" marks just in front of the trigger guard as well as the gun markers mark, a "CROWN" over "I H" (Joseph Heylin). The steel trigger guard acts as a safety when pushed forward at the half-cock stage. The wood grip stock is wonderful with a raised high-relief "shell" design executed around the engraved barrel tang, light scratches and dings and the most pleasing high gloss surface from years of handling. Beautiful classic high-relief Georgian period sterling silver furniture includes a vacant wrist escutcheon, panoply-of-arms side plate, and butt cap depicting a Lion atop a castle above a panoply-of-arms. 13.5" overall length. The pistol is in good mechanical working order. Type used in the American colonies during the French & Indian War and American Revolution. A real gem worthy of any museum collection...
NOTE: The pistol is in its original flintlock configuration with no replacement parts or restoration. This is one of the best 18th century all brass silver mounted Georgian period Queen Anne style pistols I have encountered and most certainly of the highest quality and craftsmanship.
ABOUT THE MAKER: Joseph HEYLIN is one of the most well known 18th century English gun makers of the Georgian era who specialized in silver mounted pistols with brass barrels.
THE STERLING SILVER HALLMARKS: The butt cap has visible hallmarks. The sterling silver furniture was made by "J A", (JEREMIAH ASHLEY) who is recorded to have worked at the corner of Green Street, Leicester Fields starting in November 12th 1740.
TTI-563022
