{"product_id":"original-late-18th-century-english-proofed-four-barrel-duck-s-foot-flintlock-volley-pistol-by-goodwin-co-london-featured-in-the-cache-with-alex-cranmer-1","title":"Original Late 18th Century English Proofed Four Barrel Duck’s Foot Flintlock Volley Pistol by Goodwin \u0026 Co. London - Featured in The Cache with Alex Cranmer","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One-of-a-Kind. This is an absolutely fantastic original \u003cstrong\u003eEnglish four-barrel “Duck’s Foot” flintlock volley pistol signed GOODWIN \u0026amp; CO.  LONDON\u003c\/strong\u003e, a spectacular early 19th century defensive firearm designed to discharge all four barrels simultaneously in a broad fan-shaped pattern. Even more notably, this very pistol was \u003cstrong\u003efeatured and test fired in the IMA YouTube series \u003cem\u003eThe Cache with Alex Cranmer\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving it a direct connection to the series in addition to its considerable historical and collector appeal. Checkout the episode below:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/B06ejHqWkN4?si=Mm3jijaOPmeCQvE1\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pistol is a high quality example of the distinctive multi-barrel firearms generally known today as \u003cstrong\u003eDuck’s Foot pistols\u003c\/strong\u003e, named for the way their splayed barrels resemble the webbed toes of a duck’s foot. These weapons were intended to deliver several projectiles across a wide area with a single pull of the trigger, making them particularly suitable for close-range defensive situations where a single shooter might face several opponents at once.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side of the action is engraved \u003cstrong\u003eGOODWIN \u0026amp; CO\u003c\/strong\u003e on a decorative scroll set within a stand of arms. The opposite side is similarly engraved \u003cstrong\u003eLONDON\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn important period gunmaker reference for this pistol is A. Merwin Cary’s 1954 publication \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eENGLISH, IRISH AND SCOTTISH FIREARMS MAKERS\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e. On page 40, Cary lists George Goodwin as working between \u003cstrong\u003e1780 and 1820\u003c\/strong\u003e and states exactly:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eShops at London and Birmingham. Made double barrel, over under, box lock flintlock pocket pistols and brass barrel flintlock blunderbuss type pistol with top spring bayonet. Also made flintlock \"duck foot\" pistol with four barrels spread like the four fingers of the hand. One lock and hammer and the four barrels fired at once.\u003c\/em\u003e”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis period reference is particularly significant because it specifically attributes \u003cstrong\u003efour-barrel Duck’s Foot pistols\u003c\/strong\u003e to George Goodwin and describes their operation as all four barrels firing simultaneously.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGeorge Goodwin and his associates were active in the Birmingham and London gun trade during the late 18th and early 19th centuries and produced a variety of quality flintlock pistols, including multi-barrel and Duck’s Foot forms. Surviving Goodwin \u0026amp; Co. pistols marked \u003cstrong\u003eLONDON\u003c\/strong\u003e are known, including examples with closely comparable multi-barrel configurations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe four iron barrels each bear English proof marks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe barrels are individually numbered \u003cstrong\u003e1 through 4\u003c\/strong\u003e, with corresponding numbers on their respective chambers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was an important practical feature because each barrel is individually threaded and can be removed for loading, maintenance, and cleaning. Since the barrels and chambers were individually hand fitted, the numbering allowed the owner to return each barrel to its properly fitted position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll four barrels are smoothbore and measure approximately \u003cstrong\u003e4.75 inches from muzzle to breech\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a bore diameter of approximately \u003cstrong\u003e.65 caliber\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe barrels spread outward from the central action, creating the characteristic Duck’s Foot profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than firing sequentially like a later pepperbox or revolver, the pistol is a true \u003cstrong\u003evolley weapon\u003c\/strong\u003e, intended to fire all four loaded barrels at once.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe action is finely engraved with martial decoration and displays the level of workmanship expected from a quality privately purchased English pistol of the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe walnut grip is fitted with a fine \u003cstrong\u003eGerman silver wrist escutcheon\u003c\/strong\u003e, which remains blank and therefore offers no surviving owner identification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the base is a particularly attractive \u003cstrong\u003esilver grotesque butt cap\u003c\/strong\u003e, formed as the face of a smiling lion or predatory cat. This decorative treatment gives the pistol considerably more character than a plain utilitarian defensive weapon and reinforces its likely status as a bespoke privately purchased arm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe overall condition is \u003cstrong\u003every good\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe iron surfaces display a pleasing aged patina appropriate to a firearm more than two centuries old, while the engraved decoration, barrel numbering, proof marks, and Goodwin \u0026amp; Co. signature remain readily identifiable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuck’s Foot pistols have long been associated with naval officers, shipboard defense, travelers, coachmen, prison personnel, and others who might conceivably have to confront several attackers at extremely close range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are particularly evocative in a maritime setting. A naval officer facing a boarding party or mutinous group could potentially cover several men with a single discharge, and the compact form made the pistol practical in the confined spaces aboard ship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, without provenance to a specific officer or vessel, we cannot state that this particular pistol was made for naval service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe broader social context of the late 18th and early 19th centuries also contributed to the popularity of unusual multi-shot defensive firearms. Britain experienced considerable political anxiety during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods, while robbery, civil disturbance, mutiny, and personal security were genuine concerns for wealthy travelers and officers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA weapon capable of delivering four projectiles simultaneously offered obvious psychological as well as practical appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes this example particularly compelling is that it is not simply another antique Duck’s Foot pistol. It is a \u003cstrong\u003ehigh quality English proofed Goodwin \u0026amp; Co. example with four numbered removable barrels, decorative silver mounts, strong engraving, and a highly recognizable configuration\u003c\/strong\u003e, and it has also been prominently featured and fired in \u003cem\u003eThe Cache with Alex Cranmer\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the advanced collector of \u003cstrong\u003eearly English firearms, flintlock pistols, volley guns, naval arms, unusual defensive weapons, or featured IMA historical pieces\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is an exceptional opportunity to acquire one of the most visually dramatic handgun designs of the flintlock era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: Circa 1780-1800\u003cbr\u003eMaker: Goodwin \u0026amp; Co. London\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: Approximately .65\"\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Ball and Powder\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 4.75 Inches Each\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 11.125 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Flintlock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Four-Barrel Single Shot Volley System\u003cbr\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45781379743813,"sku":"ONAC26B016","price":14995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC26B016__Master_25b3175d-6174-4e8b-87cc-d3aa059540b4.jpg?v=1789586179","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-late-18th-century-english-proofed-four-barrel-duck-s-foot-flintlock-volley-pistol-by-goodwin-co-london-featured-in-the-cache-with-alex-cranmer-1","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}