A Fine & Rare Pair of Flintlock Overcoat Pistols by Barton. 9 ¼” overall, 5” heavy, octagonal sighted 32 bore barrels with silver dovetail foresight, engraved ‘J, Barton London’ in script on the top flat. The bottom flat of the barrel stamped with the London Gunmakers’ Company’s crowned ‘V’ view mark & "I·B” stamp. Band of engraved fletching at the breech, false breech with band of engraving, ‘V’ rear sight, tang with border line & foliate engraving. Flat, stepped bolted border engraved lock, narrow safety catch, engraved ‘Barton’ in script beneath the pan, starburst engraved behind the pan, tail with a band of fletching along the step, foliate engraved beneath the safety catch, the tip of the tail foliate & double border line engraved. Double border line & foliate engraved swan neck cock with, engraved cock retaining screw. Double border line engraved back of frizzen with central spine decoration, the tip curved slightly forwards, frizzen spring with teardrop. Figured walnut full stock, rounded butt. Steel mounts comprising trigger guard with decorated edging with flowers & a Union Jack shield design on the bow, trigger plate with pineapple finial, plain trigger guard tang, collared ramrod pipe, single barrel bolt, engraved sidenail, sidenail cup. Original brass tipped ramrods.
Circa 1805
A fine pair of pistols with most original finish remaining.
After the partnership of Robert Wogdon and John Barton was mutually dissolved, and Robert Wogdon retired, in 1803, John Barton carried on the business at the same 14 Haymarket address until 1819. His production was limited, both in number and variety, remaining very conservative in style, but the quality of his work was excellent.
See John O'Sullivan & De Witt Bailey, ‘Robert Wogdon & Barton, London Gunmakers 1764-1819’, 2019, Page 209 for one of these pistols.
From The Peter Frazer Collection