A Very Rare Pair of Toby Flintlock Pistols with Opposed Locks by Freeman.
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7 ¾” overall, 2 ½” turn off cannon 40 bore barrels, border engraved octagonal breeches, the underside signed 'JAMES FREEMAN', the top flat engraved ‘London’, applied top tang. London Proofs and ‘IF’ maker’s mark. Left and right handed boxlock side-hammer action with recumbent L shaped frizzen spring, swan necked cocks, sliding safeties. Bulbous bag shaped walnut grip carved with tear drops silver side plate and escutcheon, silver leopard's head grotesque mask butt cap with florally carved tail and trigger guard
Circa 1720.
Very rare design of pistol, opposed locks are most uncommon in English gunmaking, sometimes seen in Scottish belt pistols. In very good condition.
James Paul Freeman Apprentice to Andrew Dolep 1705, Free of Gunmakers 1716 and taking over Dolep’s premise in St Martins Lane, Master 1732 died 1736.
See Great British Gunmakers by Neal & Back pages 412-419 and plate 174.