{"product_id":"original-british-rare-early-georgian-break-action-removable-steel-cartridge-breech-loading-flintlock-10-bore-by-robert-rowland-of-london-from-the-w-keith-neal-collection-circa-1720","title":"Original British Rare Early Georgian Break Action Removable Steel Cartridge Breech Loading Flintlock 10 Bore by Robert Rowland of London from the W. Keith Neal Collection - Circa 1720","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item: One-of-a-Kind. This is an exceptional and extremely rare early Georgian British breech loading flintlock gun by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRobert Rowland of London\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, dating to circa 1720 and formerly part of the renowned \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eW. Keith Neal Collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The gun employs an ingenious break action system using a removable and reloadable steel cartridge chamber, together with a self priming mechanism incorporated into the breech.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOperation is remarkably advanced for the period. Pulling the sliding trigger guard to the rear unlocks the action, allowing the barrel to tip upward so that the removable steel cartridge chamber can be withdrawn from the breech. At the same time, the flash pan rotates and opens toward a small adjacent powder compartment, allowing the pan to be automatically primed for the next shot. The sophistication of the design and the precision required to manufacture it place this among the more technically ambitious sporting arms of the early 18th century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe gun measures approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e42 1\/4 inches overall\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and is fitted with a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e26 5\/8 inch 10 bore swamped, three stage tip up barrel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe barrel and breech are extensively decorated. The barrel is engraved with acanthus foliage, while the barrel tang terminates in a distinctive engraved \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Devil’s Mask”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e finial.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe gun is stocked in highly figured walnut and features a carved shell motif surrounding the tang. There is an old repaired crack through the grip area, which has been left as found and not further altered.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe rear of the wrist is fitted with a decorative escutcheon bearing an engraved owner’s monogram that appears to read either:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lock plate is signed: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eR \/ ROWLAND\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe top of the octagonal breech is engraved: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eR - ROWLAND - LONDINI\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Latinized \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLONDINI\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e identifies London and confirms the gun as the work of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRobert Rowland\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRobert Rowland was admitted to the freedom of the Gunmakers’ Company by redemption on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApril 7, 1715\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and died in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1721\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, placing the manufacture of this gun firmly within the earliest Georgian period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRowland is known to have produced firearms for the London merchant \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJohn Tournay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, including both a gun and a rifle dated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1718\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e using the same general breech loading and self priming system represented here. These surviving examples help establish that this was not an isolated experiment but part of a highly sophisticated and very limited series of advanced sporting arms produced during Rowland’s brief working career.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe left facet of the barrel bears London proof and view marks:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCROWN \/ GP\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCROWN \/ V\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBetween them is an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eR within a vase\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e mark, likely associated with Rowland.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAttached to the trigger guard by wire is an original die stamped collection tag marked: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWILLIAM KEITH NEAL COLLECTION\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tag displays crossed guns surmounted by a stag’s head, with the motto: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTRUTH WILL CONQUER\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse is stamped with collection number: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eG318\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eW. Keith Neal was one of the most influential British firearms collectors and authors of the 20th century, and his collection contained some of the finest and most historically significant early firearms assembled in private hands.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis type of early Rowland breech loader is documented in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eW. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back’s \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGreat British Gunmakers, 1570–1740\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on pages \u003cstrong\u003e403–404, plates 169 a–e\u003c\/strong\u003e. We do not presently have a copy of the volume available to determine whether this exact gun is one of the examples illustrated, but the surviving \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWILLIAM KEITH NEAL COLLECTION\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e tag confirms that this firearm was part of his collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition is very good overall. The metal surfaces have developed a deep and attractive aged patina with no evidence of serious neglect or abuse.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe bore is clean and clear, although there is evidence of previous fouling consistent with historical use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe action remains fully functional. The break action mechanism operates correctly, allowing the barrel to tip for removal of the cartridge chamber. The self priming feature has not been tested and its present functionality is therefore unknown.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe removable steel cartridge or chamber presently accompanying the gun is a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elater replacement\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, most likely made during the 19th century after the original chamber was lost. It should not be represented as the original circa 1720 component.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an extraordinary survival from the earliest period of practical British breech loading firearm development. Its highly unusual break action system, removable steel cartridge chamber, self priming mechanism, extensive engraving, Robert Rowland signatures, London proof marks, and documented W. Keith Neal Collection provenance combine to make it a particularly important early Georgian sporting arm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Production: Circa 1720\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: 10 Bore, approximately .775 Inch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmunition Type: Lead Ball \u0026amp; Black Powder in Removable Steel Chamber\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 26 5\/8 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 42 1\/4 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction: Flintlock, Break Action Breech Loader\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: Single Shot, Removable Reloadable Steel Cartridge Chamber\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNOTE:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS Worldwide Services courier. USPS Priority Mail International will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique firearm laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44913773674565,"sku":"ONAC26BMA28","price":22995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/IMG_4417_1.jpg?v=1778000720","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-british-rare-early-georgian-break-action-removable-steel-cartridge-breech-loading-flintlock-10-bore-by-robert-rowland-of-london-from-the-w-keith-neal-collection-circa-1720","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}