A Rare Post Boy’s Flintlock Pistol by Harding & Son.
Missed out on this item? Click to view all current Antique Pistols & Revolvers Free UK delivery on all items
15" overall, 9" round 15 bore iron barrel with Post Office crowned arrow proof mark to the left hand side. Engraved on top 'J Harding & Son, Boro. London'. With stepped bolted engraved lock signed 'J Harding & Son' under the pan, with crowned arrow mark behind pan. Swan neck cock, walnut full stock with engraved brass mounts and horn tipped ramrod. Barrel retained by slides.
Circa 1843-4
Post Boys’ pistols are exceedingly rare.
In very good condition.
Ex Clive Brook Collection
James Harding Gunmaker, 44 Blackman St., Borough, 1810; 38 Blackman St., 1811-24; 99 Blackman St., 1825-7; 82 Blackman St., 1828-33. Gunmaker to General Post Office (brass barrelled mail coach pistols & blunderbusses); Union Street Police Office, Southwark from 1816.
James & Son Gunmakers, 82 Blackman St., Borough, 1834-6; 265Borough High St., 1837-8; 246 High St., 1838-43.
See The 89th London Antique Arms Fair Catalogue, Autumn 2012, article pages 48-49 of 'Firearms of the Mail Coach Guards' by F. Wilkinson and "Those Entrusted with Arms" by Frederick Wilkinson, Appendix 4 pages 257-258. The mark of a crown above a broad arrow often appears on barrels and locks of this pattern. However, as Wilkinson states, this "special mark is found on many, but not all, of Harding's coaching weapons".