{"product_id":"original-british-flintlock-boxlock-vest-pocket-pistol-by-james-wilkinson-of-london-with-hidden-trigger-and-sliding-safety-circa-1815","title":"Original British Flintlock Boxlock Vest Pocket Pistol by James Wilkinson of London with Hidden Trigger and Sliding Safety, Circa 1815","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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.\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\u003eThe pistol is signed \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWILKINSON\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e on the left side of the boxlock frame and \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLONDON\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e 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 \u0026amp; Son.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe underside of the action bears Birmingham proof and view marks used from 1813 to 1855 for black powder arms consisting of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCROWN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCROSSED SCEPTERS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB P C\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCROWN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCROSSED SCEPTERS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eV\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is also a separate touch mark showing what appears to be an \u003cstrong\u003eI\u003c\/strong\u003e above a \u003cstrong\u003espread wing bird\u003c\/strong\u003e within a \u003cstrong\u003etombstone\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1815\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMaker: James Wilkinson\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: .47\" Pistol\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmunition Type: Lead Ball \u0026amp; Powder\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 1 5\/8 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 5 7\/8 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction: Flintlock Boxlock\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":45752164483141,"sku":"ONJR26AURA33","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26AURA33.jpg?v=1789404248","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-british-flintlock-boxlock-vest-pocket-pistol-by-james-wilkinson-of-london-with-hidden-trigger-and-sliding-safety-circa-1815","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}