Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original British iron framed boxlock flintlock vest pocket pistol by James Wilkinson of London, dating to approximately 1815. Compact and finely made, it features a removable 1 5/8" cannon style barrel, approximately .47 caliber smoothbore, folding hidden trigger, functional sliding half cock safety, Birmingham proof and view marks, decorative engraving, and an attractive figured walnut grip.

This 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.

The pistol is signed WILKINSON on the left side of the boxlock frame and LONDON on the right. James Wilkinson had been associated with the celebrated London gunmaker Henry Nock and succeeded to the business following Nock’s death in 1804. Wilkinson was appointed Gunmaker in Ordinary to King George III shortly afterward, and in 1818 his son Henry joined the concern, after which it became J. Wilkinson & Son.

As with Henry Nock, the company became a supplier of the East India Company and other notable clients. The company would move several times, growing in size, and eventually setting up shop in Pall Mall, where it would still be when its blade-making business expanded, eventually incorporating at Wilkinson Sword in 1889, a company that still exists today.

The pistol measures approximately 5 7/8" overall and is fitted with a screw off 1 5/8" iron cannon barrel with an approximately .47" smoothbore. The barrel remains readily removable, an important functional feature on a small boxlock pistol of this type, and shows evidence of light to moderate historical use.

The underside of the action bears Birmingham proof and view marks used from 1813 to 1855 for black powder arms consisting of:

CROWN
CROSSED SCEPTERS
B P C

and

CROWN
CROSSED SCEPTERS
V

There is also a separate touch mark showing what appears to be an I above a spread wing bird within a tombstone shaped field. Similar marks have reportedly been observed on other Wilkinson pieces of the period, but its precise meaning or attribution is not established here.

The iron frame, action, and barrel have developed an attractive lightly oxidized patina. The original decorative borders remain well defined, with scattered old peppering and localized light pitting. Small engraved stand of arms motifs decorate the sides of the boxlock around the maker and address inscriptions, while additional decorative line engraving is present across the top of the frame.

The pistol is fitted with a slab sided figured walnut grip showing particularly attractive grain and a pleasing aged finish. Checkering extends along the rear of the grip and continues beneath the butt, remaining well defined and substantially intact.

The top of the action incorporates a sliding safety that can be engaged when the hammer is at half cock. The safety remains functional and blocks the hammer from being brought to full cock until the slide is withdrawn.

The boxlock mechanism also incorporates a concealed folding trigger. In its present condition, the trigger remains hidden until the hammer is brought fully to cock, at which point it folds down into firing position. The lock then releases correctly when the trigger is operated. After the hammer falls, the trigger must presently be returned forward manually rather than retracting on its own.

With its WILKINSON / LONDON markings, removable cannon barrel, Birmingham proofs, unusual folding trigger, functional sliding safety, engraved iron frame, and finely figured walnut grip, this is an attractive example of an early 19th century British gentleman’s pocket pistol. The scattered oxidation, light pitting, unidentified touch mark, and manually returning trigger are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a James Wilkinson, British flintlock, boxlock pocket pistol, Regency era firearm, or advanced early European arms collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1815
Maker: James Wilkinson
Caliber: .47" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 1 5/8 inches
Overall Length: 5 7/8 inches
Action: Flintlock Boxlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.