Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a lovely early British flintlock pistol, signed Wilson on the early three screw lock, which has only a single screw behind the hammer. It also features and early style "swan-neck" cock and unbridled frizzen. The 8 3/4 inch .65" caliber barrel has the tang screw insert from the top, and it has an overall length of about 15 1/2 inches.

Wilson was a very prolific family, the earliest dating to about 1720 and with various succeeding Wilsons made copious Antique guns for almost 200 years. The barrel is marked with the CROWN / GP gunmaker's proof and CROWN / V "viewed" markings from the London gun company proof house. There is also a * / R W marking between the two markings, indicating manufacture by R. Wilson, which could be one of several members of the family.

There is a Robert Wilson, who "was made Free of the London Gunmaker’s Company in 1742 and Master in 1764. He was gun-maker to the Hudson’s Bay Company from 1766, he died in 1772." However, there was also Richard Wilson, who worked in London 1738-1752. There may be no concrete way to tell which maker made the pistol, however it is definitely a very nice one, most likely made as an officer's "private purchase" pistol.

The pistol is fully brass mounted, and all of the fittings feature lovely embossed and engraved designs. The side plate is particularly lovely, showing a stand of arms with multiple flags, and the escutcheon on the back of the grip is great as well. The stock is in very good shape with a lovely color, showing some past repairs on the wrist, near the lock plate, and near the muzzle, very common places for the wood to crack. There is a very nice wooden ramrod under the barrel. The lock is functional, however due to a worn tumbler it will fire at both half and full cock.

A lovely mid 18th century flintlock pistol by a known family of London Makers. A lovely example, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1745
Caliber: .65" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 8 3/4 inches
Overall Length: 15 1/2 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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

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, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. 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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.