A Pair of H. Nock Pistols ex. Keith Neal

A fine pair of 50-Bore flintlock pocket pistols, signed H. Nock, London. With case-hardened turn-off barrels each engraved with a broad band of foliage around the muzzle, signed case-hardened rounded actions each engraved with a martial trophy and foliage on both sides, engraved blued and case-hardened thumbpiece safety-catches also locking the steels, blued folding triggers, chequered finely figured rounded walnut butts, diamond-shaped vacant silver escutcheons, and nearly all their original finish, in their contemporary woollen ‘shoddies’, Birmingham proof marks. Notes: These pistols were sold as part of the – Fine Antique Firearms from the W. Keith Neal Collection – 10th November 2005 – Lot 80. H. Nock New pattern lock rejected by Ordnance in 1770. Gunlock smith. Made set of gauges for Gunmakers Company Proof House, 1781. Free of Gunmakers Co., by redemption 1784. Took Livery, 1795. Elected Assistant, 1798; Master 1802. Appointed Gunsmith-in-Ordinary to George III, 1789. In celebration of King’s health recovery, displayed at Ludgate Hill ‘an Imperial Crown, beautifully ornamented and very rich illumination of coloured lamps’ (St. James’s Chronicle, 25 April 1789). Made 7-barrelled rifled and pistol for Prince of Wales, 1790-2 (Royal Collection at Windsor Nos 154, 203). Contractor to Ordnance, 1771-1804; East India Co. (and Royal East India Volunteer Regt.) made 7 barrel guns, 1780; screwless lock 1786; wall piece, 1788; Duke of Richmond’s Musket, 1792; Royal Horse Artillery Pistol, 1793…succeeded by James Wilkinson. Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. USA. Dimensions: Bore: Barrel Length: Overall Length: