ID Dublin flintlock

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It's dated and marked as for a military firearm built during the reign of George III, but we'd need more information (calibre, barrel length, and so on) and preferably pictures to fill in much more than that.
 
Thanks SDC!!
It is a large caliber, but I will measure it & take a few pictures to forward to you. It has the appearance more of a gentlemens pistol rather then a military fireaem. I will need a couple of days to accomplish this. Keep your powder dry.
 
The characteristics and markings match up to a typical Tower-pattern flintlock pistol of the Revolutionary war period (in fact, the lock and barrel almost certainly came off of a military flintlock pistol), but the saw-handle stock and German silver (?) fittings suggest that this one was later modified as a target or duelling pistol. To get an accurate idea of what it might be worth, you're going to have to get a hands-on evaluation. Here's a picture from Claude Blair's "Pistols of the World", showing what the military version of this pistol would have originally looked like, dated 1710, but the basic pattern didn't change until the 1800s, with the adoption of the percussion system.

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Here's my ignorant two cents guess. I suspect that the gun was decorated in India. While the scroll work has an European influence, as evidenced by the acanthus leaves, the rosette isn't quite right and the acanthus leaves aren't really developed as it would be had an European trained carver would have done. It would also have some relief carving instead of incision type carving. The herringbone pattern on the foregrip reminds me of nordic carvings, but one would have to visit a museum to check out Indian art work as well as nordic art to see what may have influenced the carver. If you live near a major art museum, show the images to the curators and ask them if they recognize anything.
 
4v50 Gary said:
Here's my ignorant two cents guess. I suspect that the gun was decorated in India. While the scroll work has an European influence, as evidenced by the acanthus leaves, the rosette isn't quite right and the acanthus leaves aren't really developed as it would be had an European trained carver would have done. It would also have some relief carving instead of incision type carving. The herringbone pattern on the foregrip reminds me of nordic carvings, but one would have to visit a museum to check out Indian art work as well as nordic art to see what may have influenced the carver. If you live near a major art museum, show the images to the curators and ask them if they recognize anything.
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Your two cents are accepted. I think it would be a good avenue to explore to get a more in depth over view of the pistol.
...........keep your powder dry.
 
Hey Pop, I did a little googling for fun and this is what I was able to find. I have no idea if it is accurate, but thought any info would be helpful.
Looks like you may have an English 18th century flintlock pistol, typically made in London. The stamped letters below the crown "GR" are the reign mark of George Rex, meaning King George. British royal arms have been stamped with reign marks since 1627, under Charles I. Your firearm is also marked "TOWER." The Tower of London was first used as an armory in 1339. "TOWER" has been stamped on all arms ordered or stored there since 1699. The Master of Ordnance at the Tower contracted with private firearms makers to supply the royal arms. When the contracted weapons were delivered to the Tower and approved, they were stamped TOWER. The symbol is the Broad Arrow, in use since the reign of George I (1714-1727). Likewise, firearms that came out of Dublin Castle also bore the "GR." 1798 was a historical year in Dublin. In fact some of the United Irish Society members of "98" may have fancied such a weapon. I am not sure if the barrel has "DC" for Dublin Castle or if the second letter is an "S" cannot make it out with my tired old eyes (If it is an "S" then I have no idea what that signifies...YET...I will keep researching when I have down time). Barrels with the letters D.C. (Dublin Castle) were personal arms registered at Dublin Castle after the rebellion and disarmament of Ireland in 1798.
Hopefully you find out what you need to know about the firearm.

Semper Fi
Raymond-:cool:
 
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4v50 Gary said:
Here's my ignorant two cents guess. I suspect that the gun was decorated in India. While the scroll work has an European influence, as evidenced by the acanthus leaves, the rosette isn't quite right and the acanthus leaves aren't really developed as it would be had an European trained carver would have done. It would also have some relief carving instead of incision type carving. The herringbone pattern on the foregrip reminds me of nordic carvings, but one would have to visit a museum to check out Indian art work as well as nordic art to see what may have influenced the carver. If you live near a major art museum, show the images to the curators and ask them if they recognize anything.
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4v50Gary:
I'm getting a lot of mileage out of your two cents. I have contacted by phone an art museum as you recommened and they in turn gave me another avenue to explore and that is the British army campaign in India. Possible young British solider serving an apprenticeship working his ticket to get back to England. So the road broadens to gain info on this flintlock pistol. May take a little time but I will update as we go.
Thanks .:)
 
FWIW, the "Tower" and crown marks were not stamped at that period, they were engraved individually. The locks were delivered in the white, unhardened. After they passed inspection and were accepted, they were engraved, then hardened. The crown was the definitive acceptance marking, showing the gun was royal property.

Jim
 
Hi 4v50Gary !!
Your two cents is quickly going to a half dime. I was able to do some research today on some of the art work that you spoke about. I find the herringbone pattern & the lions head on a shield has an Finland influence. I must get involved to a greater depth. As of yet I still haven't been able to find someone to talk to about the Indian influence, but I'm still looking.
Thanks.
Digger. :)
 
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