3017

Griffon London Flintlock Officer's Pistol c.1750 [152273]

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:750.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Griffon London Flintlock Officer's Pistol c.1750 [152273]
SOLD
1,200.00USD+ (300.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2022 Jul 23 @ 08:23UTC-7 : PDT/MST
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This is a Griffon made flintlock officer's pistol with a "Bond Street London" address on the breach; British proofing marks are on the bottom. Joseph Griffin worked alone until 1773 when he took a partner in Griffin & Tow. This one is simply marked GRIFFIN indicating a manufacture date between 1739 and 1772. At the bottom of the breach there is the number "2" which matches the corresponding "2" on the barrel that align when screwed together. This also is intended to keep gun parts together when these officer's pistols were made as a matching pair; this one is number 2. The hammer is in the full cock position and will not move while the frizzen moves properly under spring tension. Beautifully designed with a screw-on barrel. One would drop black powder into the chamber from above, place a .62 cal. round ball on top, screw the barrel back into place, put a small charge of 4F in the pan and you are now ready for an assault. The barrel has a small lug on the bottom so that if one cannot remove the barrel by hand, a collar would be set over the lug to unscrew it. That collar is now absent. The grips are of walnut with a shield on top to identify the owner, left blank; the pommel displays a grotesque face and was used to deliver a blow to the head of an assailant. The grotesque face would likely transfer to the assailant. A beautiful side-plate is inlet with flags, cannon, and ball. Excellent construction, a rare piece. This gun is an antique and no attempt has been made to fire this gun to confirm its mechanical integrity. Nor should this gun be fired without the examination by a qualified gunsmith. Any attempt to fire an antique gun is at the risk of the owner and not consistent with the value of the firearm. No sales to New York, New Jersey, California, and Hawaii. This is an antique, non FFL firearm. Please see photo for details.

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Provenance: Jim & Barbara Sherman Private Western Mining Museum