Product Details
A RARE AND IMPORTANT CASED SET OF A 20-BORE OFFICER'S OVER-UNDER FLINTLOCK PISTOL WITH A COMPANION 'BABY EGG' POCKET PISTOL BY JOS. EGG, LONDON,
no visible serial numbers, with partial hallmarks for 1815, the first with octagonal profile slightly tapering rebrowned 7in. barrels, the top signed in gilt 'J. EGG, LONDON', the underside of lower barrel signed in script 'No.1 PICCADILLY, LONDON', small applied white-metal fore-sight, broad and narrow gold bands at breech, platinum lined touch-holes, standing notch rear-sights to the front of the fully engraved top-tang, flat border engraved locks with bevel-edges to the tails, engraved complex form cocks linked to the external mainsprings, the mainsprings fitted with rollers for the frizzen feet, rainproof pans, sliding safes behind the cocks and both locks signed 'JOS'H EGG' around the tail, chequered walnut bag-shaped butt with a clipped corner rectangular white metal escutcheon to the back of wrist, the back of grip with an engraved socket for a detachable stock (included in the case), engraved silver butt-cap with central engraved iron skull-cracker, single trigger with engraved silver square-backed trigger-guard bow and tang and iron ramrod fitted to the left side of barrels, the second being a miniature of the first but with reblued 2 7/8in. barrels, gold escutcheon engraved with a crest to wrist, the butt-cap with central gold escutcheon engraved with a coat of arms and no provision for a detachable stock, all contained in their manufacturers walnut storage case lined and compartmented in green baize, parchment 'Joseph Egg' trade label inside lid and complete with red Morocco-leather covered flasks for both pistols, scissors moulds for both pistols, bone pots, 'bowtie' turnscrew set, bone breech-brush, combination loading and cleaning rod plus other sundry accessories
Provenance: Previously sold Christies South Kensington, the J.C.L. Knapton Collection of Antique Firearms, 28th February 1990, Lot 105.
The coat of arms on the butt-cap of the pocket pistol are those of Gore of Barrow Court, Somerset, quartered with Brown of Kiddington, Oxford and Smyth of Ashton Court, Somerset. A file of research and provenance accompanies the lot.
Exhibited: The Art of The Armourer, Victoria & Albert Museum, 1963, Exhibit 260.
Literature: Howard Blackmore 'Firearms', P. 112
F. Wilkinson 'Guns', P. 84
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Estimate £40,000-60,000