A Scarce 4-Barrel Flintlock Box-Lock Pistol by Nicholson of London. With round turn-off barrels each engraved with a single line at the breech, both the barrels and breech numbered, ’11’ ’12’ and ’13’ ’14’ angular breech block stamped below with London proofs, single line border engraved box-lock action, signed ‘London’ within an oval and decorated with a floral wreath to the right side and signed ’Nicholson, CORNHILL’ within an oval surrounded by by stands of arms to the left, engraved tap action and plain sliding pan cover, fitted above with sliding safety catches that also locks the pan, slab sided walnut grip, with vacant oval escutcheon, plain steel trigger guard. A scarce pistol. 

Nicholson, E. D. [1760-1808]

Shop in Cornhill, London. Made flintlock, box lock pocket pistols and officers flintlock holster pistols. Cased pairs of flintlock duelling pistols with loading accessories. Also made flintlock carbines and muskets with Royal Cypher. 

A. Merwyn Carey (1954) English, Irish and Scottish Firearms Makers, Acro Publishing Company, New York. 

or 

NICHOLSON 

William Free of Gunmakers Co. by redemption, 1780. Took Livery, 1788. Elected Assistant, 1790; Master 1793. Gunmaker, 17 Houndsditch, 1779-86; 45 Cornhill, 1786-94. Contractor to East India Co., 1779-94. Trade label advertised new-inventred HOUSE GUNS, that, when fired in the Centre of the Room, will turn to the door and or windows, and fire, if attempted to be forced open in the night or any other time by Robbers. 

Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. USA. 

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