Flintlock gun
Robert Stephens (fl.1762 and 1830)
Category
Arms and armour
Date
circa 1815 - circa 1820
Materials
iron, wood, brass
Measurements
322 mm (Length)180 mm (Length)23.5 mm (Diameter)
Place of origin
Bristol
Order this imageCollection
Tatton Park, Cheshire
NT 1297684
Summary
Flintlock blunderbuss pistol with spring bayonet, c1815, by Robert Stephens, Bristol.
Full description
Flintlock blunderbuss pistol with spring bayonet, c1815, by Robert Stephens, Bristol. There are two Bristol gunmakers with the name Robert Stephens recorded between 1762 and 1830 - almost certainly the same family and maybe father and son. Robert (1) was born about 1748, apprenticed in 1762 and gained his Freedom in 1786. Robert (2) was born about 1791 and gained his Freedom in 1812. Records indicate that he had died by 1830. Brass barrel cast integrally with the lock frame; the breech section being octagonal, the barrel then round to the flared muzzle, which is formed with a pronounced ring. The breech is stamped with Birmingham post 1813 proof marks. 2 ramrod pipes are attached to left side of the barrel (the ramrod missing). Spring activated steel triangular bayonet (15cm) mounted to the underside of barrel (spring missing) and retained by the trigger guard. It is released by pulling back on the sliding iron trigger guard and flicks open. Barrel length 18 cm. Diameter at muzzle 23.5 mm. Plain walnut slab-sided grip. The iron flintlock contained within the boxlox frame of common construction with a top sliding safety catch which locks both the cock and the frizzen. The frame engraved with border lines and signed in script, STEPHENS, BRISTOL. Bow shaped iron trigger guard. The comb of the cock missing. Overall length: 32.2cm. References Brian Godwin, Bristol Gunmakers from the 16th to 20th Century, Bath 2012
Provenance
Egerton collection devised to the National Trust in 1960 by Maurice, 4th Baron Egerton of Tatton (1874-1958)
Marks and inscriptions
Frame sides - right and left: STEPHENS BRISTOL Frame underside: Birmingham proof marks
Makers and roles
Robert Stephens (fl.1762 and 1830) , gunmaker