Original Item: One of a Kind. This is an exceptional early Georgian British silver mounted flintlock holster pistol by the noted London Huguenot gunmaker Pierre Gandon, dating to approximately 1724-1725. The lock is signed GANDON, while the top of the barrel is marked LONDINI. Measuring approximately 15 1/4" overall with a 9" three stage barrel, the pistol is richly fitted with hallmarked sterling silver mounts, including an elaborate pierced side plate, trigger guard, ramrod pipes, wrist escutcheon, and a long eared pommel cap terminating in a wonderfully modeled grotesque mask. Most intriguing is the engraved wrist escutcheon marked T / GAGE / FIRLE, connecting the pistol to the Gage family of Firle Place in Sussex, one of the most prominent English families of the 18th century.

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 on the lock:

GANDON

and the barrel is marked:

LONDINI

the Latin form meaning “of London.” Pierre Gandon was a Huguenot gunmaker active in London during the first half of the 18th century. He was naturalized in 1710, admitted to the freedom of the London Gunmakers' Company by redemption in 1720, and remained active until the early 1740s. Surviving Gandon pistols are known for high quality workmanship and elaborate silver mounts, and closely comparable silver mounted holster pistols by him are preserved in important collections and have appeared on the international arms market.

The barrel measures approximately 9" and is formed in three stages before terminating in a round muzzle. The left side of the breech bears London proofing, including the:

CROWN
GP

Gunmakers' Company black powder proof mark, together with:

CROWN
F

which we have not identified with sufficient confidence to assign a specific meaning. The barrel and lock remain clearly associated with London manufacture, but we would leave the second mark uninterpreted pending further specialist examination.

The rounded lock plate has the graceful early 18th century “banana” profile, with a swan neck cock, unbridled frizzen, and a single visible screw behind the cock associated with the earlier lock architecture of the period. The mechanism remains functional during careful manual inspection, holding correctly at half cock and releasing firmly from full cock.

The full walnut stock is finely shaped and carved, with raised molding around the lock and side plate, an attractive apron surrounding the barrel tang, and additional carved treatment along the ramrod channel. The wood has developed a rich color and displays attractive natural grain throughout. We see normal handling and storage wear but no major structural crack or significant repaired break.

The silver furniture is a major feature of the pistol. The pierced side plate is worked with flowing foliate decoration, while the trigger guard, two ramrod pipes, wrist escutcheon, and long eared butt cap continue the same highly finished decorative treatment. The butt terminates in a boldly modeled grotesque mask, a characteristic and highly desirable decorative device on quality British pistols of the early Georgian period.

The silver mounts carry London hallmarks including the:

Lion Passant
Crowned Leopard's Head
Capital I

The capital I in the appropriate shield corresponds to the London assay year 1724-1725. The lion passant confirms sterling standard silver, while the crowned leopard's head identifies the London assay office. The trigger guard also carries an H maker's mark, while the maker's mark on the butt cap is indistinct. We have not been able to identify either silver worker with certainty.

The most historically intriguing feature is the decorative silver wrist escutcheon. It incorporates a monster or grotesque head above a central panel flanked by banner-like ornament and is engraved:

T
GAGE
FIRLE

This inscription establishes a strong connection with the Gage family of Firle Place, Sussex. The family included several men named Thomas Gage during the 18th century, most notably Thomas Gage, 1st Viscount Gage, and his son General Thomas Gage, later Commander-in-Chief of British forces in North America during the opening stages of the American Revolution.

The chronology is particularly interesting. The pistol's silver was hallmarked in 1724-1725, while Firle Place passed into the immediate branch of the Gage family headed by the 1st Viscount in 1744. This means the T GAGE FIRLE inscription may have been applied after the pistol was originally made. On present evidence, the inscription is best regarded as a Gage family ownership or property marking rather than definitive proof that the pistol was originally commissioned for a specific Thomas Gage.

General Thomas Gage, born in 1719 or 1720, later became one of the central British military figures immediately preceding the American War of Independence. He served as Commander-in-Chief in North America from 1763 to 1775 and became military governor of Massachusetts in 1774. His attempts to secure colonial military stores led directly to the expedition that culminated in the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. Following the costly British victory at Bunker Hill, he was replaced by General William Howe and returned to Britain later that year.

Because the pistol itself dates from General Gage's childhood and the Firle inscription appears likely to postdate manufacture, we cannot determine whether this pistol belonged to the General, his father the 1st Viscount Gage, or another member of the family. The inscription nevertheless provides an unusually compelling association with the Gages of Firle and warrants further genealogical and archival research.

The steel components and silver mounts have been polished bright and remain highly attractive. The silver displays crisp detail in the pierced, cast, and chased decoration, while the grotesque pommel mask remains especially striking. The stock has a rich aged color with attractive grain and shows only expected handling and storage wear. Mechanically, the lock holds securely at half cock and releases from full cock with a strong action.

With its Pierre Gandon signature, LONDINI barrel marking, 1724-1725 London hallmarked sterling silver furniture, grotesque mask pommel, finely carved walnut stock, and extraordinary T / GAGE / FIRLE ownership inscription, this is a particularly important early Georgian British flintlock pistol. Its precise connection to the Gage family remains open to further research, but the combination of documented London manufacture, datable silver, superb decorative quality, and Firle association makes it an exceptional addition to a collection of early British firearms, silver mounted pistols, Huguenot gunmaking, Georgian arms, or objects connected with the wider Gage family and the era preceding the American Revolution.

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1724
Maker: Pierre Gandon of London
Caliber: .64" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 9 inches
Overall Length: 15 1/4 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
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 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.