An 80-Bore Flintlock Pocket Pistol by W. Heasler of London, Late 17th/Early 18th Century

With two-stage cannon barrel, border engraved octagonal breech becoming polygonal and retaining traces of engraved strawberry foliage, foliate tang, signed border engraved rounded lock (cock and steel-spring replaced) with traces of engraved strawberry foliage on the tail, moulded highly figured rootwood full stock (two old cracks beneath the lock, old repairs around the butt-cap) with globose butt, iron mounts comprising pierced and chiselled serpentine side-plate, border engraved butt-plate with grotesque mask cap and foliate engraved tang extending up the back of the butt, border engraved fore-end plate extending back to form the trigger-plate, the latter decorated with strawberry foliage, and button trigger (some wear and rust patination), London proof mark and Heasler's barrelsmith's mark 

FOOTNOTES

Provenance

Peter Finer sale catalogue, 1995, No. 128

Literature

Richard Garrett, 'The Evolution of the Queen Anne Pistol', The London Park Lane Arms Fair Guide (Spring 2005), pp. 62-67, fig. 3 

William Heasler was free of the Gunmakers' Company in 1689 and was elected Master in 1717. He was Contractor to Ordnance between 1693 and 1718, and died in 1722

See Christie's London, Fine Antique Arms and Armour..., 22 July 1992, lot 231 for what might be the pair to this pistol