Original 18th Century English Queen Anne Flintlock Pistol by Joseph Bunney with Turn-Off Barrel, Figured Wood Grip, and Grotesque Butt Cap - Circa 1780

Original Item: Only one available. This is a very rare "Queen Anne" style pistol with an iron flint "boxlock" frame and turn-off barrel, marked I BUNNEY and LONDON on banners on the sides of the engraved action. Bunney is a known family of gunsmiths who began working in 1730, with Joseph Bunney working during the period 1766-1814. They are listed in Gunmakers of London 1350-1850 by Howard L. Blackmore, however there is no listing of their London location, only one in Birmingham. English gunmakers: The Birmingham and Provincial Gun Trade in the 18th and 19th Century by De Witt Bailey and Douglas A Nie also list Bunney as operating in Birmingham in various locations, so it looks like the "London" listing was only really made to add prestige to their operation. Regardless of the location and history, Joseph Bunney was very well regarded, and the company continued with his son until approximately 1825.

The pistol is fully engraved on all sides of the iron "box lock", and definitely looks to have been made for a well-off client. It features a beautiful wood grip with great color and grain, which has a fantastic decorative embossed silver grotesque mask, with a retaining screw inside the "mouth". There are markings on the bottom of the breech joint, which are the CROWN / GP "gunmaker's proof" and CROWN / V "viewed" markings from the London Gun Company Proof house. Between these is a CROWN / IB stamp for "John Bunney", which used the "Latinized" substitution of "I" for the letter "J", as it was on the action.

The pistol measures 13 inches in overall length, with a 5 3/4 inch screw off 0.59" bore cannon barrel, in the typical "Queen Anne" style, and in this case it can actually still be easily removed! The pistol has an iron trigger guard, and there is no provision for a ramrod, not needed as it had a removable barrel. Condition is very nice, with a lovely patina of age, with the iron and steel showing a lovely lightly oxidized patina, with the engraving still mostly crisp. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing only at full. The English Walnut butt grip is lovely, showing only light wear and fantastic grain. We cannot see any damage such as chips, repairs, etc.

A truly lovely "Queen Anne" flintlock pistol by a known and desirable maker, in fine Collector's condition ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1780
Bore Diameter: approx. .59"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 5 7/8 inches
Overall Length: 13 inches
Action: Flintlock Top Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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