May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
An impressive and early version of a private purchase boarding pistol with spring-bayonet by John Waters (fl. 1767-1781), the British gunmaker credited with inventing the spring-bayonet for pistols and who obtained a patent for such in 1778. Its tapering, round barrel of 9" length has a bore of .69 and has the vestigial remnants of what appear to be a pair of private proofs of the London Gunmakers’ Company and the IW touchmark of the maker. A spring-mounted bayonet is attached to the left side of the barrel by a swivel mount, the blade of which is triangular in profile and 5 - 3/8" long. When not in use, the bayonet is folded back and its tip retained by a sliding catch on the flat sideplate of scalloped, triangular shape. The convex lockplate has engraved, double-line edging and before the goose-neck cock is engraved “WATERS / & Co.” The brass mounts also include trigger guard with bulbous, front finial, a buttcap, thumbpiece, and a tailpipe and small forepipe. The walnut stock has a raised apron around the iron barrel tang and raised edging around lockplate and sideplate flats ending in teardrops to the rear of both. The ramrod is wood with a horn tip. In overall form and mounts, it is highly reminiscent of a Pattern 1759 light dragoon pistol and was clearly intended to be a robust and functional, fighting weapon. CONDITION: The iron mounts a dull, gunmetal grey with some light and scattered areas of freckling to barrel and lock. The lock and spring bayonet components in very good working order. The stock overall good, but a pressure crack ranging from the thumbpiece to the rear of the lock and a similar, but fine one of 1 - 1/2" on the left side from the thumbpiece towards the sideplate. JLK
Caliber/Bore
.69 Smoothbore