Pistol
Joseph Bunney (fl.1765 - 1814)
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1776
Materials
Iron, wood and silver
Measurements
330 mm (Length)43 mm (W)135 mm (H)
Place of origin
Birmingham
Order this imageCollection
Felbrigg, Norfolk
NT 1395734.1
Summary
One of a pair of breech-loading flintlock pistols, c1776, by Joseph Bunney of Birmingham. Marked with the figure 1 at the breech and the iron trigger guard is engraved with a flower.
Full description
Pair of breech-loading flintlock pistols, c1776, by Joseph Bunney of Birmingham. Joseph Bunney, active 1766 – 1814, 25 Snowhill and Caroline St., Birmingham. Marked his guns “London” and may have had a shop or outlet in London. The markings on the barrel confirm that the pistols were sent for proof (barrel test) at the Ordnance Proof House at the Tower of London.Iron barrel of cannon form with moulded rings including a more pronounced ring at the muzzle. Barrel of “turn-off” type which unscrews for loading. One pistol marked with the figure 1 at the breech. Length 13.9cm. Calibre 14mm.Walnut grip with pommel of swollen form, the whole profusely inlaid with silver wire forming scrolls and geometric patterns (some lifting), and vacant oval escutcheon. Silver pommel cap in the form of a grotesque mask, stamped with Birmingham assay marks and the date letter D (1776) and a makers mark, R?, possibly Richard Bickley (Silver Caster, registered 1773, Birmingham).Boxlock action and frame of iron, the lower part forming a long tang to hold the wooden grip; the forward section acting as the breech and thread to hold the barrel. The breech stamped with the private proof of the Tower of London (crossed sceptres & crown stamped twice). Each side of the box-lock frame engraved and signed consecutively within banners Bunney, London. The breech stamped with private proof marks (crossed sceptres and crown). Engraved iron trigger guard which slides forward to act as a safety catch (pistol A engraved with flower; pistol B with an oval design). Ring-neck cock, oval shaped pan and the frizzen spring concealed into the top of the breech.Overall length: 32.5cm.
Provenance
Part of the Windham Collection. The hall and contents were bequeathed to the National Trust in 1969 by Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer (1906-1969).
Marks and inscriptions
Barrel breech: Tower of London private proof marks - crossed sceptres and crown Frame: Bunney, London
Makers and roles
Joseph Bunney (fl.1765 - 1814), gunsmith
References
Bailey & Nye, 1978: DeWitt Bailey & Douglas Nye, English Gunmakers: Birmingham & Provincial Gun Trade