A Very Rare Flintlock Four Barrel Volley Pistol by Wilson, London. 12” overall, 4 ½” battery of four brass 50 bore round turn-off barrels, attached at the breech, stamped with London proofs & Wilsons barrel smiths mark, brass faceted box lock frame, decorated overall with scrolling foliage & stands of arms, signed with a shell ‘WILSON’ to the right & ‘LONDON’ on a foliate scroll to the left, steel sliding trigger guard safety. Swelling walnut butt with silver butt cap of a lion surmounting a wall with cannon & flags, hallmarked [JH} but no date letter & a rococo trophy of arms vacant escutcheon.
Circa 1740
Very rare pistol, only ever had one like it in the past, good condition, but the brass is a bit over polished
Richard Wilson born 1703. Apprenticed to uncle, Thomas Green, 1718; free of Gunmakers Co., 1725. Proof piece and mark, 1730. Elected Assistant, 1734; Master, 1741. Gunmaker, at the Fowler, Minories, took over business of Agnes Green, 1730. Contractor to Ordnance, from 1746; East India Co., 1733-6; Hudsons Bay Co., 1730-56; Royal African Co., 1739. With son, William, became Richard & William Wilson & Co., 1757-9; Richard Wilson & Co., 1759-66. Died 1766.
See Clay P. Bedford Collection, for very similar pistol by Probin No. 198.