November 17, 2020 Early Arms & Militaria: Age of Exploration, Empire & Revolution
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2020
A massive espignole of swivel-mounted "rail gun" of the Napoleonic/War of 1812 era by London gunmaker Thomas Barnett (flourished 1796-1832), probably for use by a privateer or armed private ship. The gun is essentially a shorter-barreled version of a wall gun (see lot 20190084) and like the former, was designed to fire a solid ball, but could also fire multiple smaller balls, as with musketoons or blunderbusses. The gun is 42" long overall, with a robust, 24" long, tapering, round, thick-walled barrel of 1-1/16" bore. The pin-fastened barrel has view and proof marks on the left top near breech, while the 1-1/4" x 6-7/8", convex, plain lock has “BARNETT” stamped before the reinforced cock. Brass mountings consist of a buttplate, rounded S-sideplate, trigger guard with teardrop-shaped finial in front, and a 3-3/16" long ramrod pipe, with steel spring. The button-tipped, iron ramrod is original to the arm, as is its forged iron, yoke-bracket, swivel mount. The figured walnut full stock has setup marks in the ramrod channel, but is otherwise plain. CONDITION: Very good, with lock is crisp, working order; the iron parts a pleasing brownish-toned, gunmetal grey and the swivel mount with much of its japanning still present; the brass mounts a dull yellow, and the stock with some bruises and dings, a few insect holes at butt, and a stabilized crack on the left side of the forestock, approximately 9" long. JLK
Model
Flintlock Swivel Gun