Flintlock pistol
William Walsingham (fl.1763 – 1783)
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1770
Materials
iron, walnut, silver
Measurements
340 mm (Length)
Place of origin
Birmingham
Order this imageCollection
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
NT 1170524.1
Summary
Gun. Flintlock pistol. One of a pair of silver mounted flintlockholster pistols, c1770, signed Walsingham – probably William Walsingham, Birmingham (active 1763 – 1783).
Full description
One of a pair of silver mounted flintlock holster pistols, c1770, signed Walsingham – probably William Walsingham, Birmingham (active 1763 – 1783). Round iron barrel of plain form, the muzzle slightly flared. Muzzle with blade foresight. The breech and tang engraved and stamped a makers mark, W (faint). Retained to the barrel by 2 barrel pins. Wooden ramrod. Barrel length: 33.5cm Calibre: 16mm. Walnut fullstock, the butt of hooked form, with a large carved Rococo-form apron to the barrel tang. Rear of butt inlaid with silver wire in scolling design. Engraved silver furniture comprising; chiselled butt cap, decorative escutcheon and “trophy of arms” chiselled side-plate. Iron trigger guard and ramrod pipes. Flintlock with rounded plate, engraved and signed within a scrolling banner WALSINGHAM. Retained to the stock by 2 sidenails. Overall length: 33.5cm
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: Walsingham (engraved) Lockplate: Walsingham
Makers and roles
William Walsingham (fl.1763 – 1783) , gunsmith
References
Bailey & Nye, 1978: DeWitt Bailey & Douglas Nye, English Gunmakers: Birmingham & Provincial Gun Trade