A Very Rare 17th Century Flintlock Holster Pistol by W. Upton of Oxford. 18 ¾” overall, 11 ½” tapering three-stage, octagonal becoming polygonal & struck with a fleur-de-lys mark beneath, tang with traces of foliate engraving, border engraved rounded lock with narrow raised edge, signed ‘W. Upton Oxon’ and decorated with scrolling foliage beneath the pan, monster head terminal on the tail, foliate engraved cock, moulded figured walnut rootwood full stock carved in low relief. Mounts comprising pierced & chiselled iron sideplate with monster-head terminals, border engraved spurred silver pommel retained by a screw with fluted head centred on an engraved flower-head, iron trigger guard with shaped finial, scrolled trigger, turned silver ramrod pipes, later horn-tipped ramrod.
Circa 1680.
In very good condition, mainspring with old fracture, minor old bruising to stock.
Provencance: Professor David Wearver Collection
Literature: John Cooper "The Uptons of Oxford - Gunmakers', London Park Lane Arms fair Guide Spring 2008 pp. 72,73,& 78 figs. 15-20.
William Upton was granted the freedom of Oxford in 1647, and became a constable in 1681.