An Outstanding 14 Bore Flintlock Holster Pistol by Hall of London, Circa 1770. With round browned barrel signed 'I HALL LONDON' within a tear drop along the top flat and stamped with London proofs and the makers own mark, decorated with a band of foliage around the breech, foliate engraved tang, signed, stepped bevelled, border engraved lock, full stocked in walnut with a raised carved apron around the tang, completed with brass furniture comprising side-plate, long eared butt cap with grotesque mask, escutcheon at wrist, trigger guard with stylised acanthus leaf finial and turned ramrod pipes with original horn-tipped ramrod with worm. 

Hall, John [1704-1770]

Made cannon barrel, box lock flintlock pocket pistols and flintlock blunderbusses with Royal Cypher. 

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

HALL

John Apprenticed to Godfrey Taylor, turned over to George Fisher, 1694; free of Gunmakers Co., 1702. Proof piece 1705. Elected Assistant, 1722; Master, 1726. Gunmaker, Budge Row, from 1725. Contractor to Ordnance, 1706-28; Royal African Co. ('fuzzes, buccaneer guns') 1717-24; East India Co., 1726-40. Died 1740. Business continued by widow Jane. 

Jane Widow of John, gunmaker, Budge Row, 1741-60. Became Mrs Hall & Son, 1761. Succeeded by son, Joseph. 

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

Dimesnions:

Bore: 14 Bore

Barrel Length: 10.5 Inches (27 cm)

Overall Length: 16 Inches (40 cm)