A Fine Pair of Flintlock Queen Anne Cannon Barrel Holster Pistols by James Barbar. 11” overall, 4 ½” turn off 22 bore two stage cannon barrels, reinforcing ring at muzzles, engraved ‘London’ on the barrel top, marked 1 & 2 with ‘J.B.’ markers stamp & London Proofs. Engraved under the frizzen spring 'Barbar’. L shaped frizzen spring, a band of foliage behind, waisted border engraved tangs each decorated with foliage. Border engraved actions, cocks & steels, D-shaped trigger guard, decorated with a flower head on the border engraved bow. Swelling figured butts each carved in low relief with a shell behind the barrel tang, cast and chased mounts comprising pierced foliate side plates with dragon escutcheons with a foliate border, & grotesque mask caps.
Circa 1745
Very good condition
James Barbar, Son of Lewis apprentice to father, 1714; free of Gunmakers Co. and proof piece passed, 1722. Elected Assistant, 1737. Master, 1742. Appointed Gentleman Armourer to George II, 1741. Furbisher at Hampton Court, resigned, 1767. Gunmaker, Portugal St., 1726-67; Dover St., 1739-67. Died 1773.