A Fine & Rare Pair of Flintlock Overcoat Pistols by Barton. 9 ¼” overall, 5 ½” octagonal sighted 40 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 and Irish census marks F4952/3 . Band of engraved fletching at the breech, false breech with band of engraving, ‘V’ rear sight, tang with border line & foliate engraving. Flat bolted border engraved detented locks with engraved wheat ear edge, narrow safety catch, engraved ‘J. Barton’ in script beneath the semi water proof pan, starburst engraved behind the pan, foliate engraved beneath the safety catch and the tip of the tail . Double border line & foliate engraved swan neck cock with top jaws ensuite, engraved cock retaining screw. Double border line engraved back of frizzen with central spine decoration, the tip curved slightly forwards, frizzen spring with roller. Figured walnut full stock, rounded butt chequered with large diamond pattern & small flower heads. 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 side nail and side nail cup. Original horn tipped ramrods.
Circa 1810
A Fine pair of pistols with some original finish in protected arears.
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 210 for similar pistols.
From The Peter Frazer Collection