A Fine Flintlock Holster Pistol by Griffin. 16 ½”overall, 10” sighted two stage octagonal to round Spanish barrel slightly swamped at the muzzle, chiselled with acanthus at the girdle, the breech with makers mark of ‘Carbonell of Barcelona’, with other silver inlaid foliate designs, gold lined touch hole, foliate engraved tang, border engraved lock signed ‘Barbar’, spoon shaped pan, and border engraved cock. Full stocked in walnut with raised shell at the tang, steel mounts comprising long eared butt cap with flower head mask cap, engraved trigger guard decorated with a flower head on the bow and acanthus finial, flat side plate, turned ramrod pipes and wooden ramrod.
Circa 1760.
In good condition, repair to fore end and ramrod a later replacement.
Benjamin GRIFFIN. Apprenticed to Samuel Harrison, 1719; gave up apprentice and worked as Foreign gunmaker allowed to prove guns by Gunmakers Co., 1724-31. Told to give up work by Gunmakers CO., but traded as gunmaker (Successor to Samuel Garrison), Bond St., 1735-70. Registered silversmiths mark, Goldsmiths Hall, 1743. With son, Joseph, took out Sun Ins. (No. 159594) on goods at Cross & Griffin, New Bond Street., 1757. Died 1770.