{"product_id":"original-18th-century-pair-of-english-flintlock-belt-pistols-signed-thomas-with-waterproof-locks-half-stocks-and-tower-private-proofs-circa-1790-1810","title":"Original 18th Century Pair of English Flintlock Belt Pistols Signed THOMAS with Waterproof Locks, Half Stocks, and Tower Private Proofs, Circa 1790-1810","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Pair Available. This is a very attractive matched pair of late 18th to early 19th century English flintlock belt pistols, both signed \u003cstrong\u003eTHOMAS\u003c\/strong\u003e on the lock plates and built in the refined sporting and traveling pistol style of circa 1790-1810. The pistols are essentially identical in configuration, with 9\" two stage barrels, walnut half stocks, horn nose caps, sliding safeties, roller frizzens, waterproof style pans, engraved iron furniture, and horn tipped ramrods with clearing worms. One pistol retains a 4\" belt hook on the left side, while the other shows no obvious evidence that a hook was ever fitted, leaving open the possibility that they were paired at a later date rather than ordered together from the outset.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth pistols are signed on the lock plates:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHOMAS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have not been able to identify the specific maker with confidence. \u003cstrong\u003eTHOMAS\u003c\/strong\u003e is a relatively common surname in the British gun trade, and without an address or additional identifying mark it would be unsafe to assign these pistols to a particular Thomas gunsmith. The signed locks nevertheless establish a clear English commercial identity for the pair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach pistol measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e14 3\/4\"\u003c\/strong\u003e overall and is fitted with a \u003cstrong\u003e9\"\u003c\/strong\u003e barrel of approximately \u003cstrong\u003e0.58\"\u003c\/strong\u003e bore. The barrels are two stage, transitioning from octagonal at the breech to round toward the muzzle, with a decorative band at the transition and additional engraving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe steel of both barrels shows visible variation in tone and surface pattern that may indicate laminated or pattern welded construction. Without more definitive metallurgical or maker evidence, we have left the exact barrel construction cautious rather than identifying it positively as Damascus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe locks are notably advanced for the period. Each has two screws behind the cock and a sliding safety mounted to the rear. Neither safety presently appears to engage correctly, and this is fully disclosed. The frizzens are bridle reinforced and use small rollers at the ends of the frizzen springs to reduce friction during opening and closing. The pans are narrow and closely fitted to the frizzen faces, with drainage gutters on either side. This is the type of late 18th century English “waterproof” lock arrangement intended to shed rainwater away from the priming pan and reduce the chance of moisture reaching the powder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo flintlock of this period was literally waterproof, but English makers developed increasingly sophisticated pan and frizzen designs to make locks substantially more resistant to wet weather. This pair shows several of those desirable late flintlock refinements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth locks remain mechanically active during manual inspection. The pistol retaining the belt hook holds and releases correctly. The second pistol does not presently hold at half cock, an important mechanical deficiency that is disclosed exactly as observed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth pistols are stocked in walnut with elegant half stock architecture and horn nose caps. Raised lock panels and corresponding counterpanels are present, while the remainder of the stocks is comparatively restrained. The grips are flat sided and checkered at the rear. Each wrist is fitted with a small shield shaped silver escutcheon, adding a refined sporting touch without excessive ornamentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe iron furniture is minimal but very nicely finished. Neither pistol has a conventional butt cap or decorative side plate. Instead, each is fitted with an engraved trigger guard and small escutcheons surrounding the lock screws. The trigger guards are particularly attractive, with matching pineapple finials and decorative engraving across the bows. Additional engraving appears on the barrel tangs and around the barrel to tang junctions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne pistol is fitted with a \u003cstrong\u003e4\"\u003c\/strong\u003e iron belt hook on the left side. The other shows no obvious vacant screw holes, filled mortise, or other evidence that a corresponding hook was removed. For that reason, we cannot say with certainty whether these pistols were originally ordered as a true pair or were later matched because of their nearly identical construction and decoration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach pistol retains a horn tipped ramrod with a clearing worm at the opposite end, a particularly useful and desirable surviving accessory on a pair of traveling or belt pistols from this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left barrel facet of each pistol bears two:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCROWN \/ CROSSED SCEPTERS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003emarks. These are the so called Tower Private Proof marks used by the Board of Ordnance proof house at Tower Wharf for privately made civilian arms. The marks consist of the crowned crossed scepters struck twice and are distinct from the official government proof and view marks found on Ordnance service arms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe presence of these proof marks strongly supports manufacture before the end of the Tower private proof system around 1810, fitting very well with the circa \u003cstrong\u003e1790-1810\u003c\/strong\u003e stylistic dating of the locks, stocks, and furniture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition of both pistols is very good, bordering on near excellent for their age. They show only light service and handling wear, with attractive aged surfaces and no major damage noted in the supplied inspection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith their matching \u003cstrong\u003eTHOMAS\u003c\/strong\u003e signed locks, elegant half stocks, horn tipped ramrods, sliding safeties, roller frizzens, waterproof style pans, finely engraved pineapple finial trigger guards, Tower Private Proof marks, and nearly identical overall construction, this is a particularly handsome brace of late Georgian English flintlock pistols. Whether originally ordered together or carefully matched later, they display exceptionally well as a pair and would be a strong addition to a collection of English sporting arms, traveling pistols, late flintlock mechanisms, or refined civilian firearms of the Napoleonic era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (Pair):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1790–1810\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMaker: Thomas\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: .58\" Pistol\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmunition Type: Lead Ball \u0026amp; Powder\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 9 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 14 3\/4 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction: Flintlock Side Action\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: Muzzle-Loaded\u003cbr\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46064480616517,"sku":"ONAC26B081","price":4995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/B62F64F7-4D9F-40FC-9B7E-5F2EE5CD15CD.jpg?v=1792439570","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-18th-century-pair-of-english-flintlock-belt-pistols-signed-thomas-with-waterproof-locks-half-stocks-and-tower-private-proofs-circa-1790-1810","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}