A Very Rare Flintlock Holster Pistol By J. Dafte Of London.
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19” overall, 12 ½” three-stage 25 bore barrel with London Proofs and barrel smiths stamp, turned at the girdle, octagonal breech cut with flutes beyond, retaining traces of an engraved demi-figure amid strawberry foliage, and engraved with maker's name ‘I. Dafte’, with traces of engraved decoration, border engraved rounded lock signed ‘I. Dafte’ and decorated with scrolling strawberry foliage with monster-head terminal, the tail with foliated demi-figure drawing a bow and arrow. Moulded highly figured full stock swelling at the rear ramrod pipe, raised drop behind the barrel tang. Steel mounts comprising sideplate pierced and chiselled with foliated monsters, vacant escutcheon en suite, border engraved spurred pommel decorated with graduated beadwork along the spurs and a foliated demi-figure blowing a trumpet on each side, the cap engraved with a moustachioed human face framed by petals, trigger guard with trefoil shaped finial and decorated with a monster head and foliage on the bow, turned baluster ramrod pipes, later steel-capped wooden ramrod.
Late 17th Century
In good condition for age. Less than 25 guns by John Daft survive. Fore end repaired, some screws replaced, frizzen and ramrod replaced.
John Dafte was apprenticed to Henry Phipps in the Blacksmiths' Company in 1660 and free of the Gunmakers' Company in 1668. He supplied blunderbusses and pistols to the Rye House Conspirators in 1683, he was appointed Master of the Gunmakers' Company in 1694. He died in 1696.
The J.C.L. Knapton Collection of Antique Firearms, 28 February 1990, lot 95
See John S. Cooper & Kenneth J. Westwood, John Dafte-Gunsmith and the Horrid Conspiracy of 1683, 1989