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John Twigg 4-Barrel Flintlock Pistol
[Text discription below. Photographs by Geoff Walker.]
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70071
A Very Rare 4-Barrel Flintlock Pistol by John Twigg:
London 1783. 54 Bore (11.23 mm) (0.442 cal.). A very rare four-barrel, box-lock, tap-action pistol by John Twigg. The pistol has four 10 cm turn-off barrels numbered from 5 to 8. The border engraved breeches are numbered to correspond. The pistol is extensively engraved on the metal surfaces which accents the flowing scroll work on the grip. Foliage scroll engraving continues beneath the tap action on the left side, the latter signed with the second form of Twigg's signature, "Twigg" on an inlaid gold oval against a martial trophy. The right side has an engraved lever for the sliding pan cover, and with deep foliate rocaille engravings just beneath. An engraved thumbpiece safety catch also locks the steel. Trigger guard is engraved with a flower head in a diamond shaped panel on the bow. The figured, swelling, rounded butt is inlaided extensively with silver wire scrollwork and scroll engraved silver flower heads. The silver wrist escutcheon is engraved with an owner's crest, and with a Viscount's coronet above. Silver, grotesque (Green Man) pommel cap with Birmingham silver hallmarks for 1783, and maker's mark of Charles Freeth (CF). Tower private proof marks. Length is 10.25 in. Weight is 898 g.
Historical:
"Twigg" refers to John Fox Twigg (1732-1790), an important and highly recognized London Gunmaker. John Fox Twigg was born at Grantham, Linconshire, in 1732 and is listed by Heer (2) as being apprenticed to the Irish gunmaker, Edward Newton (active between 1718-1764), though no dates for his apprenticeship are offered.
By 1755, Blackmore (1) lists Twigg working as a gunmaker from Angel Ct., Charing Cross until 1760 when he moved to 132 Strand, opposite Catherine St., and continued at this address until 1776.
He moved again in 1776, this time to Piccadilly where he remained until 1790. During these 14 years he opened several warehouses; at little Somerset St., in 1771; 30 Cornhill, 1777 and Tower Hill in 1779. His only son, John, was apprenticed in 1786 to Henry Nock, and subsequently inherited his father's business.
In 1788 Twigg formed a partnership with his newphew, John Bass (b.1761 - d.1794) although this was cut short by Twigg's death. As Blackmore notes, however, the trade directories are misleading in this respect, and show the business continuing at Piccadilly until 1795. Charles Freeth:
Charles Freeth of Birmingham was an accomplished silversmith working from the end of the third quarter of the 18th century until the beginning of the 19th century. He is best known for the exquisite silver mounts he produced for the most prolific London and Birmingham gunmakers in the early part of this period. Freeth’s work is well known and regularly found on pistol mounts produced during the 1770’s, through to the end of that century. Freeth registered his “CF” mark in a rectangle with the Birmingham Assay Office on SEP 14, 1773. Silver hallmarked with Freeth's stamp can be dated from, on or near this date. With regard to the present item, Freeth's mark and date letter "L" accurately date this pistol to 1783. Curator's Footnotes: • The barrel numbering on the present example suggests the pistol was originally from a pair of pistols produced by Twigg. • The pan selector and tap-action enable a firing sequence of: 1) Top left. 2) Bottom left. 3) Top right. 4) Bottom right. Condition: Extra fine. Little if any use, and only light handling wear to the grip. All four barrels with clean smooth bores. Mechanics are crisp. Strong mainspring pressure. Very high quality throughout. A fascinating example of innovation in the gunmaker's craft. Four barrel pistols of this large format are extremely difficult to find in this condition. The present example would be very difficult to upgrade. Bibliography: 1. Blackmore, Howard (1986). A Dictionary of London Gunmakers, 1350-1850; Phaidon, Christie's Oxford. ISBN [0-7148-8021-3] p. 193. 2. Heer, Eugene (1978). Der Neue Stockel, Vol 2. p. 1307; Journal Verlag, Schwend GmbH.
By 1755, Blackmore (1) lists Twigg working as a gunmaker from Angel Ct., Charing Cross until 1760 when he moved to 132 Strand, opposite Catherine St., and continued at this address until 1776.
He moved again in 1776, this time to Piccadilly where he remained until 1790. During these 14 years he opened several warehouses; at little Somerset St., in 1771; 30 Cornhill, 1777 and Tower Hill in 1779. His only son, John, was apprenticed in 1786 to Henry Nock, and subsequently inherited his father's business.
In 1788 Twigg formed a partnership with his newphew, John Bass (b.1761 - d.1794) although this was cut short by Twigg's death. As Blackmore notes, however, the trade directories are misleading in this respect, and show the business continuing at Piccadilly until 1795. Charles Freeth:
Charles Freeth of Birmingham was an accomplished silversmith working from the end of the third quarter of the 18th century until the beginning of the 19th century. He is best known for the exquisite silver mounts he produced for the most prolific London and Birmingham gunmakers in the early part of this period. Freeth’s work is well known and regularly found on pistol mounts produced during the 1770’s, through to the end of that century. Freeth registered his “CF” mark in a rectangle with the Birmingham Assay Office on SEP 14, 1773. Silver hallmarked with Freeth's stamp can be dated from, on or near this date. With regard to the present item, Freeth's mark and date letter "L" accurately date this pistol to 1783. Curator's Footnotes: • The barrel numbering on the present example suggests the pistol was originally from a pair of pistols produced by Twigg. • The pan selector and tap-action enable a firing sequence of: 1) Top left. 2) Bottom left. 3) Top right. 4) Bottom right. Condition: Extra fine. Little if any use, and only light handling wear to the grip. All four barrels with clean smooth bores. Mechanics are crisp. Strong mainspring pressure. Very high quality throughout. A fascinating example of innovation in the gunmaker's craft. Four barrel pistols of this large format are extremely difficult to find in this condition. The present example would be very difficult to upgrade. Bibliography: 1. Blackmore, Howard (1986). A Dictionary of London Gunmakers, 1350-1850; Phaidon, Christie's Oxford. ISBN [0-7148-8021-3] p. 193. 2. Heer, Eugene (1978). Der Neue Stockel, Vol 2. p. 1307; Journal Verlag, Schwend GmbH.
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