A Flintlock Queen Anne Pistol by Le Maire of London.
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10 ¾” overall, 5 ¼” round two stage turn-off 22 bore barrel, engraved ‘LE MAIRE’ at the breech, border engraved action signed ‘LE MAIRE’, the cock & steel with raised mouldings, separate border engraved iron trigger guard. Rounded moulded figured walnut butt, with raised mouldings around the lock & tang, lions head silver butt cap, London proofs hidden beneath the trigger guard.
Circa 1710.
A fine early Queen Ann pistol in good condition by a well-known family of Huguenot gunmakers.
Le Maire family comprised: Henry Le Maire Master gunmaker with 6 servants brought from Holland by Charles I, given house in Minories, 1639-42. Bartholomew Le Maire Engraver of His Majesty’s Arms-in-Ordinary, 1668, Gunmaker, Charing Cross 1684-9. James Le Maire Gunmaker-in-Ordinary to Charles II served the King for 10 years then given a pass to return to France 1670. John Le Maire naturalised, 1710. Gunmaker to George I, 1719. Probably the gunmaker who used barrels by Israel Segalas c, 1720, and was allowed to prove guns by Gunmakers Co. As a ‘foreigner’ 1728. This pistol was probably made by John.