November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2021
This fine pistol was perhaps made for a wealthy naval officer and features a paktong barrel with a flared and turned cannon muzzle. Paktong is an alloy composed of zinc, copper, and nickel. The 4-stage barrel has an ornate cartouche towards the breech on the top flat engraved "I. REA LONDON" surrounded by detailed clamshells on each side. There are also London Gunmaker's Guild view and proof marks as well as 2 "IR" proofs for maker John Rea. John Rea was located at 122 Minories, London between 1777 and 1778, and 91 Minories between 1779 and 1797. This pistol is hallmarked with date letter "G" for 1779. The trigger guard and pommel cap have 2 Birmingham hallmarks, as well as the date letter and "CF" for renowned silversmith Charles Freeth. The lockplate is engraved with floral designs at the tail and is engraved "I. REA" in a banner in the center. The lock also features a sliding half-cock safety at the rear tang. The extravagant sterling silver mounts include a pierced ornate sideplate with relief-chased floral designs. The full stirrup pommel cap is engraved with shell motifs and foliate scrolls above the relief scalloping around the pommel, bottom features a relief grotesque mask cap. There are shaped and engraved barrel key escutcheons around both keys on both sides of forend. The silver wrist escutcheon features chased floral designs with vacant inscription cartouche. The silver trigger guard features a large and ornate front finial with chased flowers on a stippled ground and a flower on the bow. Silver ramrod ferrules. The fine walnut stock is of classic and attractive Georgian form. Stock shows extensive silver-wire decoration, especially around the barrel tang, displaying a detailed shell design surrounded by scrollwork and borders. There is also silver wire inlaid borders around lock and sideplate, terminating in large inlaid shells behind both. There is also a silver inlaid wire design around the front finial of the trigger guard. Complete with its original wooden ramrod with turned bone tip and threaded worm at opposite end. CONDITION: Barrel retains a bright surface showing little wear and crisp markings and engraving. Lock is in its original flintlock configuration and functions properly, and retains a grey patina showing some light wear and freckling. Silver mounts polished bright. Trigger guard shows a period repair to the back tang, but both sections are original as both are properly hallmarked. A small period iron nail was put into the back of the sideplate to secure it. Stock shows scattered bruises and minor marks from use, 1 small chip in front of lockplate and wrist shows a well-repaired and difficult to detect break. Silver wire inlays very good with a couple very minor losses around barrel tang design and 1 piece slightly raised. A highly decorated and expensive to manufacture Revolutionary War officer's pistol. This pistol has all of the finest attributes of the period and it would be difficult to find an example with more extensive decoration and higher quality. DMG