Original Item: Only one available. This is a very rare "Queen Anne" style pistol with a brass frame and turn-off barrel, marked HEYLIN on the bottom of the frame and CORNHILL / LONDON on the top of the breech. Cornhill is an area of London, and that is where gunsmith Joseph Heylin worked in the late 18th Century, making many bespoke firearms for well-heeled clients. We have found numerous examples of his worn, which look to have run the gamut from small pocket pistols up to blunderbusses.

The pistol features some fantastic decorative silver mountings, and was almost certainly made for a well off client. The butt cap is a lovely embossed silver grotesque mask, and there is a perforated silver side plate showing a stand of arms. There is even a lovely foliate silver escutcheon on the back of the grip, which would often be personalized, however this example is blank.

There are markings on the bottom of the breech joint, which are the CROWN / GP "gunmaker's proof" and CROWN / V "viewed" markings from the London Proof house. Between these is a CROWN / IH stamp, probably the initials of Joseph Heylin (it was common to use "I" instead of "J" at this time). There is also the number 1 stamped on both sides of the breech joint, possibly indicating that the gun was part of a set. The pistol has some line engraving on the flintlock hammer, with some more intricate designs around the breech, including a lovely stand of arms on the top of the barrel surrounding the address marking.

The pistol measures 12 inches in overall length, with a 5 1/2 inch screw off cannon barrel, in the typical "Queen Anne" style, and in this case it can actually still be easily removed! The pistol has a brass trigger guard, and there is no provision for a ramrod, not needed as it had a removable barrel. The dark English Walnut butt grip is lovely, and has some carving around the barrel tang, which shows a seashell design. There are not any cracks or other damage that we can see, and the wood color is truly lovely.

Condition is very nice, with a lovely patina of age, with the brass showing some fading of the engraving due to years of cleaning. The silver mountings are all still in great shape, and really add to the piece. The lock functions, however the tumbler is currently worn, so it will fire at both full and half cock.

A truly lovely brass "Queen Anne" flintlock pistol by a known London maker, in fine Collector's condition ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1770
Bore Diameter: approx. .49"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 5 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 12 inches
Action: Percussion 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.

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 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.