A Very Fine & Rare Percussion Over & Under Pistol by Tatham. 8 ½” overall, with slightly tapering slab-sided false damascened 3 ¾” bevel edged 80 bore barrel group, the top flat signed 'TATHAM, LONDON', dove tailed silver fore sight, standing notch rear sight & dual gold lines at breech. border & scroll engraving surrounding a martial trophy to top tang, engraved drum & nipple, external flat colour-hardened lockplates signed 'TATHAM', border and scroll engraving, external hammer springs stirrup linked to the border & scroll engraved slab-sided dolphin headed hammers, sliding safeties behind the hammers. Swept finely chequered walnut butt, the slightly swollen pommel inlayed with an engraved silver butt-cap and mounted with a central ramrod, border and scroll engraved lower tang and trigger guard, twin blued triggers.
In its original mahogany travelling case, 'HENRY TATHAM, No 37 CHARING CROSS, LONDON' trade label, with some accessories including a fine three-way unsigned flask of small size, scissors ball mould, bone cap box and a nickel silver dismountable loading and cleaning rod with three interchangeable tips, the outer lid of case with brass escutcheon and flush fitting concealed handle.
Very high quality pistol in very good condition with much original finish, one mainspring cracked.
Made as a flintlock by Henry Tatham circa 1815-20 and converted to percussion by his son, also Henry, circa 1835-40 at which time he put his own label in the lid of the case.
Henry Tatham [1] born 1770 at Firth St. Sword Cutler & Beltmaker-in-Ordinary to George III, 1798; Gunmaker to Prince of Wales, 1799. Gunmaker & Sword Cutler, 37 Charing Cross, 1800-33 (in partnership with Joseph Egg as Tatham & Egg at same address, 1801-14). Also at 60 Frith Street., Soho, 1805-8. Supplied Ordnance with Malaysian 'Cresses' [Kris] 1801, presentation rifles for Indian Chiefs, 1816. died 1835.. Succeeded by Henry 2.
Henry Tatham [2 ]Son of Henry (1) born 1804. Gunmaker & Sword Cutler, 24 Pall Mall, 1825-34; 37 Charing Cross, 1834-60; 3 Opera Arcade, 1857. died 1860.