Item Description
Original Items: One of a kind Pair. Occasionally we are graced with a matched pair of pistols that come directly from company director Christian Cranmer's acquisitions from over his many years as a collector.
Here are a wonderful pair of early English Flintlock pistols by the foremost Gun Maker of the era: JAMES FREEMAN, whose family worked from 1705 until 1782. His son was also named James, and other members of the family were gunsmiths as well. The pistols feature 8 1/2" iron barrels, with an overall length of 14 1/2”. The barrels bear matching Proof marks from the London Gun Company proof house on the left hand side: the correct Crown / GP black powder "gunmaker's proof" and Crown V "Viewed" proof. These surround a a touch mark of a crowned I F, as at this period the letter "J " was printed as a capital "I". The tops of the barrels are also marked FREEMAN LONDON. They measure about 0.69” at the muzzle, but do look slightly flared out so the true bore may be a bit smaller.
The polished iron lock plates are each marked FREEMAN in a decorative engraved scroll that looks almost like a conch shell. The fabulous Silver mounts on each consist of masked long eared butt caps with "grotesque" masks, trigger guards, escutcheons, two ramrod pipes, and extraordinary side plates. Each side plate constructed of silver depicts a Saracen's saber bearing two Saracen's severed head along its blade. This rather blood thirsty design is intended to commemorate the late 17th century SIEGE OF VIENNA by the Ottoman Sultan based in Constantinople. Ever since the First Crusade in the 11th Century, there were ongoing wars between the Muslims of the Middle East and the Christian European nations.
Close examination of the very end of the trigger guards next to the butt caps, and the edge of these caps on that side shows a London Assay Hall date letter of B in a shield. Consulting London hallmarks shows that this is the correct marking for 1717, placing these pistols relatively firmly at that date. It is possible that they were made a year or so before, but they would not have been left off the gun for any significant amount of time.
The high quality stocks themselves both have a bit of curl to the grain, and have most attractive horn nose caps. They both have some lovely simple line engraving that highlights the shape of the pistol and fittings, with some more ornate engraving around the barrel tang. The wooden ramrods each have horn tips and one is fitted with a screw-shaped ball extractor to the rear.
Condition of the pistols is very good, with very minor wear and a great patina of age. The stocks do show some denting and stress cracking, common for any pistol of this age. The locks both function correctly, holding at half-cock and firing at full.
These pistols are exceptional from just about any point of view. Ready to display with real pride!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: 1717
Caliber: .69" Pistol with Flared muzzle
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 8 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 14 1/2 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
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