Original Item: Only One Available. Henry Nock (1741–1804) was a legendary London Gunsmith, Inventor, and Engineer, who began his career as a locksmith, patenting a design in 1775, before forming several companies to market his products. He truly rose to prominence in 1779 with being contracted to produce James Wilson's "Volley Gun" design, which are highly sought after. Nock became a Freeman of the Gunmakers Company in 1784, after which he was one of the most sought after gunmakers during the French Revolution and Napoleonic periods. His guns were well made, and his designs very innovative, and he carved out a solid place in British gunmaking history before his death in 1804.

His company continued after his death, being run by his foreman and son-in-law James Wilkinson, and this company would eventually become Wilkinson Sword company. Nock also had a nephew, Samuel Nock, was an apprentice under him, and became a well-known gunmaker in his own right, becoming a master of the Gunmakers Company of London in 1836.

We believe that this very nice fur trade pistol is most likely by the nephew, Samuel Nock, and is marked NOCK on the lock plate. It is all iron mounted, with simplified stock without a butt plate, much like other Fur Trade pistols of the period. It is 12 ½ inches in overall length, and features a 7 inch .68" caliber smoothbore barrel, which is marked LONDON on the top. The barrel also has the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "proof" and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" marks from the English city of Birmingham on the top near the breech. These are the correct markings for 1813 and later manufacture. There is also what looks to be a maker mark between them, however it is too faint to read. It comes complete with a wooden ramrod, which is probably a period replacement for display.

The pistol is in lovely condition, with a nice matured patina on the metalwork, and a lovely stock. There is a crack on the left side of the stock running through the rear lock screw escutcheon, as is often seen. There is also a lengthwise crack on the back of the grip, and another on the right side, so this definitely looks to have seen a good amount of use. We checked the lock, and it is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full.

A lovely example from the early 19th century, ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1820
Caliber: .58" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 7 inches
Overall Length: 12 ½ 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 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.