Flintlock pistol
Robert Harvey (fl.1702-1734)
Category
Arms and armour
Date
circa 1720
Materials
iron, walnut, silver
Measurements
405 mm (Length)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
NT 1170507.2
Summary
Gun. One of a pair of flintlock holster pistols, c1720, by Robert Harvey of London.
Full description
One of a pair of silver mounted flintlockholster pistols, c1720, by Robert Harvey, London (active 1702-34). Harvey was gunmaker to the Ordnance from 1703 to 1706 and became master of the London Gunmakers Company in 1725. Iron barrel, formed in 3 stages, octagonal to 16 sided to round, the muzzle slightly flared. The breech and tang engraved; the breech stamped with London Gunmakers Company proof marks, and the makers mark, RH under a fleur-de-lys and signed ROBt. HARVEY. Retained to the barrel by 2 barrel pins. Wooden ramrod with horn tip. Barrel length: 24cm Calibre: 16mm. Walnut fullstock, the butt of bulbous form. It has a carved acanthus-form apron around the barrel tang and around the rear ramrod pipe. Engraved iron furniture comprising; spurred butt cap with chiselled grotesque mask, escutcheon, and trigger guard with acanthus form finial. Silver pierced side-plate of scrolling form and baluster turned ramrod pipes. Flintlock with rounded and curved plate, its edge with a “pie-crust” border, engraved and signed ROBt. HARVEY. The frizzen constructed without a bridle, the frizzen spring with trefoil finial. Retained to the stock by 2 sidenails. Overall length: 40cm
Provenance
Amongst the chattels that, in 1978, were acquired along with Chirk Castle from Lt-Col Ririd Myddelton (1902–1988) by the National Land Fund and handed, on loan for 99 years, to the Secretary of State for Wales. In 1981 Chirk was transferred into the ownership of the National Trust.
Marks and inscriptions
Barrel top: ROBT. HARVEY Lockplate: ROBT. HARVEY The letters "CP" along with a crown. "V" with a crown "RH" with a fleur-de-lys
Makers and roles
Robert Harvey (fl.1702-1734), gunsmith
References
Blackmore, 1986: Howard Blackmore: A Dictionary of London Gunmakers 1350-1850