A Fine & Rare Flintlock Overcoat Pistol by Barton.
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8” overall, 3 ¾” heavy, octagonal sighted barrel with silver dovetail foresight, engraved ‘J, Barton London’ in script on the top flat, gold lined touch hole, band of fletching at the breech, false breech with band of engraving, ‘V’ rear sight, tang with border line & foliate engraving, Union Jack shield design & engraved tang screw. The bottom flat of the barrel stamped with the London Gunmakers’ Company’s crowned ‘V’ view mark & "I·B” stamp. Flat, stepped, ovolo edged, detented lock, narrow safety catch, engraved ‘J Barton’ in script beneath the pan, starburst engraved behind the pan, wheat ear border engraved along the lower edge, tail with a band of fletching along the step, foliate engraved beneath the safety catch and the tip of the tail foliate and double border line engraved. Double border line & foliate engraved swan neck cock with wheat ear engraving around the ovolo edge, engraved cock retaining screw, and double border line engraved top jaw. Double border line engraved back of frizzen with central spine decoration, the tip curved slightly forwards, frizzen spring with teardrop finial and decorated "teardrop”. 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 sidenail, sidenail cup. Original horn tipped ramrod with worm.
Circa 1810
An example of Bartons best work in crisp condition, rebrowned barrel.
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. One change which he did introduce was rounded bag-shaped butts with large diamond chequering for his pistols, as on this example. This is a fine example of the latest and best quality of this type of pistol, they were available for private purchase prior to the introduction of police forces.
See John O'Sullivan & De Witt Bailey, ‘Robert Wogdon & Barton, London Gunmakers 1764-1819’, 2019, Page 210 for similar.