English 1799-1833 T. (Theophilus) Richards Birmingham Flintlock Traveling Pocket Pistol With 50 Bore Screw Off Cannon Barrel & Intricate Silver Wire Decoration. Sn 21393:66 .50 Muzzleloader

English 1799-1833 T. (Theophilus) Richards Birmingham Flintlock Traveling Pocket Pistol With 50 Bore Screw Off Cannon Barrel & Intricate Silver Wire Decoration. Sn 21393:66 21393:66

This is an attractive flintlock pistol. It is 7 ¾” overall length with 2 ¼”, turn off cannon barrel (a tool is required to turn off the barrel, we do not have the tool). The barrel’s smoothbore has just staining & residue consistent with age & use. The underside of the action and barrel have crisp black powder proofs / inspection marks. The action has foliate engraved decoration & scrolling banner signed ‘T. Richards’ (most likely Theophilus (Theop's) Richards a quality English Gun maker & Silver gun furniture maker located at various premises on High Street Birmingham between 1799-1833. Between 1818 & 1833 his premises were known as 'The Royal Patent Waterproof Gun Manufactory' where patents for waterproof locks fashionable in the day were produced. Two Theophilus Richards are recorded. One the Father of the renowned gunmaker William Wesley Richards, the other his elder Brother, see page 50 of English Gunmakers By Bailey & Nie). The cocking and firing mechanisms work crisply. The original stock is undamaged and has attractive, quality inlaid silver wire decoration. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an antique flintlock pistol no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. Sn 21393:66

£875