Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful all brass mounted English Flintlock pistol, made by the well-regarded London Gunsmith James Barbar. It is in the typical mid 18th century style and in really great shape, especially considering the age.

According to Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850 by Howard L. Blackmore London Gunsmith James Barbar was the Son of Gunsmith Lewis Barbar, and was apprenticed to his father in 1714. In 1722 his proof piece passed and he was declared free of Gunmakers Co.. He was then elected as an assistant in 1737, and a master gunmaker in 1742. He was appointed Gentleman Armourer to George II, 1741 Furbisher at Hampton Court resigned, 1767. As a private Gunmaker he operated out of Portugal St., 1726-67 and on Dover St., 1739-67. Barbar passed away in 1773.

The lock is marked with BARBAR on the lock plate, with no other markings that we can see. We have tested the lock, and it holds correctly at half cock, firing at full. The pistol  is fitted with the standard 9" .63" smooth bore barrel, which still shows visible proofs on the breech end, a rare thing to see. From what we can see, they are the CROWN / GP "gunmaker's proof" and CROWN / V "Viewed" marking from the London Proofhouse. It is also marked with * / I B for maker James Barbar (J was written as I).

The pistol really is in great shape, and has a lot of curl to the walnut stock, especially in the lock area. The pistol also comes with a very nice original brass capped wooden ramrod, with an intact "worm" on the end, for clearing out a stuck ball or powder load. Unfortunately, at some point in this pistols history, the cleaning rod was broken, and is now held together by transparent tape, which looks to be decades old. We have not made any attempts to remove or repair this, to preserve the history.

A lovely English Flintlock pistol, in great shape and ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1750
Caliber: .63" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 9 inches
Overall Length: 15 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.