Horse pistol
George Vernon (fl.1759)
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1759
Materials
iron, brass, wood
Measurements
483 mm (Length)
Place of origin
Birmingham
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1328717
Summary
Military flintlock pistol by George Vernon of Birmingham, dated 1759. Plain walnut stock, the fore stock missing.
Full description
Military flintlock pistol, dated 1759, by George Vernon of Birmingham. Round iron barrel with turned mouldings at breech, and stamped with Ordnance proof marks, crossed sceptres and crown and crowned GR and arrow, and makers mark, IF. Secured to the stock by 2 barrel pins. Barrel length 30.6cm. Calibre 16mm. Walnut fullstock with carved apron to barrel tang and tear-drop finials behind lock. Brass furniture comprising; pommel cap, sideplate (replacement), trigger guard and 1 ramrod pipe. Flintlock with rounded plate, border line engraved , stamped with a crowned GR, the tail with the date 1759, and signed VERNON. Overall length: 48.5cm
Provenance
Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.
Marks and inscriptions
GR (Tower Armouries mark surmounted by a crown) and Vernon 1759 (inscribed on the lock) and proof marks on the barrel.
Makers and roles
George Vernon (fl.1759), gunsmith
References
Bailey & Nye, 1978: DeWitt Bailey & Douglas Nye, English Gunmakers: Birmingham & Provincial Gun Trade