Flintlock pistol
Tow
Category
Arms and armour
Date
circa 1770
Materials
iron, walnut, brass
Measurements
355 mm (Length)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
NT 1170522.1
Summary
Gun. Flintlock pistol. One of a pair of flintlock holster pistols, c1770 by John Tow (active 1783 - 95), the barrels by Joseph Griffin of London (active 1740 - 85).
Full description
A pair of flintlock holster pistols, c1770 by John Tow (active 1783 - 95), the barrels by Joseph Griffin, London (active 1740 - 85). The brass mounts and plainness of the pistols indicates they are for military use. John Tow was in partnership with Joseph Griffin from 1772 - 1782 and produced a very considerable number of high quality firearms for both the British Monarcy and aristocracy. He died in 1783. Round and tapered iron barrel with a slightly flared muzzle. The flattened breech stamped with London Gunmakers Company proof marks, the makers mark, IC, and signed on the barrel top within a panel, LONDON. Retained to the barrel by 2 barrel pins. Wooden ramrod. Barrel length: 20cm Calibre: 16mm. Walnut fullstock, the butt of bulbous form, and a large plain apron carved around the barrel tang. Engraved brass furniture comprising; plain spurred butt cap, escutcheon, trigger guard, flat side-plate and 1 ramrod pipe. Plain flintlock with rounded plate, signed TOW. Retained to the stock by 2 sidenails. Overall length: 35cm
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: GP (impressed mark with crown) and V (impressed mark with crown); and I.G (impressed); and LONDON (engraved) Lockplate: Tow
Makers and roles
Tow , gunsmith
References
Blackmore, 1986: Howard Blackmore: A Dictionary of London Gunmakers 1350-1850 Neal & Back, 1989: William Keith Neal & David Back, Griffin & Tow & W. Bailes