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ID #SA1188543
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English Flintlock Pocket Pistol, James Barber, London. Silver Wire Inlaid. Circa 1760–1780, in the Queen Anne Style with Canon Barrel.
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
for sale €1,463     $1,588
£1,250
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria

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English Flintlock Pocket Pistol, James Barber, London. Silver Wire Inlaid. Circa 1760–1780, in the Queen Anne Style with Canon Barrel.

18th century
Description

A fine and original English flintlock pocket pistol by James Barber of London, dating from the mid to late 18th century. The pistol is fitted with a short cannon-form turn-off barrel, finely finished with lathe rings, mounted to a neatly engraved steel action signed BARBER within an ornamental rococo cartouche.

The hardwood stock is elegantly shaped and inlaid throughout with delicate silver wire scrollwork, terminating in a scroll butt characteristic of Georgian pocket pistols. The steel tang and breech are engraved en suite, and the pistol retains its original trigger and guard. The flintlock action is well formed and typical of quality London manufacture of the period.

A compact and attractive civilian sidearm, intended for discreet personal defence, displaying refined workmanship and pleasing proportions.

Overall length: 19 cm

Condition: Good antique condition, with expected surface wear and patination consistent with age; engraving and silver wire inlay clearly visible.

Provenance

This finely made pocket pistol is a characteristic example of mid-Georgian London craftsmanship by James Barber, a documented London gunmaker active during the third quarter of the 18th century. Barber is recorded producing quality civilian pistols for the London market, and signed examples with silver wire–inlaid stocks are particularly sought after.

The present pistol displays all the hallmarks of genuine London manufacture of the period, including a cannon-form turn-off barrel, delicately engraved steel furniture, and original silver wire inlay to the grip. Pocket pistols of this type were fashionable personal defence arms carried discreetly by gentlemen and travellers, and comparatively few survive today in such honest, unaltered condition.

Examples by named London makers such as Barber were produced in limited numbers and are increasingly scarce, making this pistol a desirable acquisition for collectors of 18th-century English firearms.

Origin: London, England

Date: Circa 1750–1785

Overall length 19cm

Declaration

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria has dated this Flintlock Pocket Pistol to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1188543
Dealers Internal Reference
712/5-2
Dealers Notes

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria, Portobello Road

WE are open every Saturday between 9.30 - 3.30pm in Chelsea Galleries 67 Portobello Road London.

We are at the front of the gallery, on the 1st aisle.

Web page:-

https://peterharrisclocks.com/welcome/

Description
A fine and original English flintlock pocket pistol by James Barber of London, dating from the mid to late 18th century.
“
The pistol is fitted with a short cannon-form turn-off barrel, finely finished with lathe rings, mounted to a neatly engraved steel action signed BARBER within an ornamental rococo cartouche.
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
fig 1. An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork.
fig 1. English Flintlock Pocket Pistol, James Barber, London. Silver Wire Inlaid. Circa 1760–1780, in the Queen Anne Style with Canon Barrel.

The hardwood stock is elegantly shaped and inlaid throughout with delicate silver wire scrollwork, terminating in a scroll butt characteristic of Georgian pocket pistols. The steel tang and breech are engraved en suite, and the pistol retains its original trigger and guard. The flintlock action is well formed and typical of quality London manufacture of the period.

fig 2. An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork.
fig 2. English Flintlock Pocket Pistol, James Barber, London. Silver Wire Inlaid. Circa 1760–1780, in the Queen Anne Style with Canon Barrel.

A compact and attractive civilian sidearm, intended for discreet personal defence, displaying refined workmanship and pleasing proportions.

Overall length: 19 cm

Condition: Good antique condition, with expected surface wear and patination consistent with age; engraving and silver wire inlay clearly visible.

fig 3. An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork.
fig 3. English Flintlock Pocket Pistol, James Barber, London. Silver Wire Inlaid. Circa 1760–1780, in the Queen Anne Style with Canon Barrel.

Provenance

This finely made pocket pistol is a characteristic example of mid-Georgian London craftsmanship by James Barber, a documented London gunmaker active during the third quarter of the 18th century. Barber is recorded producing quality civilian pistols for the London market, and signed examples with silver wire–inlaid stocks are particularly sought after.

fig 4. An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork.
fig 4. English Flintlock Pocket Pistol, James Barber, London. Silver Wire Inlaid. Circa 1760–1780, in the Queen Anne Style with Canon Barrel.

The present pistol displays all the hallmarks of genuine London manufacture of the period, including a cannon-form turn-off barrel, delicately engraved steel furniture, and original silver wire inlay to the grip. Pocket pistols of this type were fashionable personal defence arms carried discreetly by gentlemen and travellers, and comparatively few survive today in such honest, unaltered condition.

fig 5. An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork.
fig 5. English Flintlock Pocket Pistol, James Barber, London. Silver Wire Inlaid. Circa 1760–1780, in the Queen Anne Style with Canon Barrel.

Examples by named London makers such as Barber were produced in limited numbers and are increasingly scarce, making this pistol a desirable acquisition for collectors of 18th-century English firearms.

Origin: London, England

Date: Circa 1750–1785

Overall length 19cm

Date of Manufacture

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria has dated this Flintlock Pocket Pistol to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1188543
Dealers Internal Ref
712/5-2
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2020

We specialise in flintlock pistols, muskets, clocks & watches

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria Profile Page

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An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork.
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Archive I An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork.

English Flintlock Pocket Pistol, James Barber, London. Silver Wire Inlaid. Circa 1760–1780, in the Queen Anne Style with Canon Barrel.

Archive II An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View II
Archive III An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View IV
Archive V An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View V
Archive VI An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View VI
Archive VII An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View VII
Archive VIII An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View VIII
Archive IX An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View IX
Archive X An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View X
Archive XI An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XI
Archive XII An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XII
Archive XIII An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XIII
Archive XIV An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XIV
Archive XV An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XV
Archive XVI An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XVI
Archive XVII An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XVII
Archive XVIII An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XVIII
Archive XIX An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XIX
Archive XX An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XX
Archive XXI An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XXI
Archive XXII An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XXII
Archive XXIII An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XXIII
Archive XXIV An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XXIV
Archive XXV An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XXV
Archive XXVI An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork. View XXVI
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Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Telephone 07930 536818
Location
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Verified Since Nov 2020
Items For Sale 94
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Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Verified Since Nov 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: London, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/peterharrisclocks
Verified
Nov 2020
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An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork.
English Flintlock Pocket Pistol, James Barber, London. Silver wire inlaid. Circa 1760–1780, in the Queen Anne style with canon barrel.
Ref: SA1188543
An 18th-century English flintlock pocket pistol featuring a steel cannon barrel, engraved action, and a dark wooden grip with inlaid silver wire scrollwork.
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FAQs

A flintlock pocket pistol is a small, concealed-carry firearm featuring a flint-striking mechanism developed for personal defence during the 17th and 18th centuries. Many British examples incorporate Queen Anne design elements, such as turn-off cannon barrels and decorative silver wire embellishments.

Georgian flintlock pistols were typically built using steel or iron for the barrel and lock mechanism, paired with dense hardwoods such as walnut or fruitwood for the stock. High-end variations feature silver wire inlaid scrollwork and brass or silver furniture.

Authentic pieces display maker signatures on the frame or barrel, English proof marks near the breech, and age-appropriate oxidisation on steel components. Construction techniques, including hand-carved stocks and hand-fitted internal lock components, further verify authenticity.

Historic firearms are routinely presented inside custom shadow box frames, mounted on brass standoffs against felt or linen backgrounds, or placed on custom acrylic stands inside glazed cabinets and bookcases.

Preservation requires applying a thin coat of microcrystalline wax to metal parts to prevent rust and handling with cotton gloves to prevent skin oils from causing corrosion. Keep the object in a climate-controlled room free from excessive moisture.
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