An Early Flintlock Holster Pistol by G. Reed of London, Circa 1730. With swamped brass three-stage barrel, engraved ‘London’ and stamped with London proofs and with ‘WB’ for the barrel smith William Birkell, some gun-powder residue staining around the touch-hole, foliate engraved steel tang, singed engraved lock and cock, full-stocked in walnut with a raised floral moulding around the tang and also, unusually, around the ramrod pipes, with brass furnitures comprising pierced side-plate depicting stands of arms, long-eared butt-cap wit smiling grotesque face, trigger guard decorated with a geometric floral design on the bow and acanthus leaf finial, turned ram-rod pipes and original brass tipped ramrod.
REED/READ/REID
George - Gunmaker, Rotherhithe, 1722-38. Contractor to Royal African Co., 1732-42.
Dimensions:
Bore: 18 Bore
Barrel Length: 8 Inches (20.32 cm)
Overall Length: 14 Inches (35.56 cm)