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English Flintlock Duelling Pistols
[Text discription below.]
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70045
A fine & Decorative pair of English, Flintlock Duelling Pistols:
English ca. 1815. 22 Bore; (15.13 mm) .596 cal. The 9.125 in. smoothbore, octagonal barrels each have a silver blade fore-sight set into a dovetailed slot. "WARRANTED" is inlaid on the top flat in a gold banner surrounded by gold inlaid floral patterns. Two gold lines and a platinum line are at the breech. Platinum vents. Birmingham proofs, barrelsmith’s mark of "IP," and "DAMAS" are stamped on the bottom. The tang has a standing, integral notch rear sight and classical English floral engraving. The locks have unusual, platinum lined rainproof pans, and the signature of "GRIBBLE./BARUM." engraved just beneath. Also present are antifriction roller frizzens, floral and scroll engraving, bolted safeties, and stepped tails. The pistols are equipped with micro adjustable single set triggers enclosed in a scroll engraved and spurred trigger guard. There is lightly etched "M.1705.A." and "M.1705.B." markings respectively on the trigger guard tangs. The fore-end caps, wedge and wrist escutcheons, floral engraved plats above the nose of the locks, and lion mask pommel caps are all of silver. The silver is without hallmarks. The checkered half-stocks are also inlaid with fabulous silver wire scroll patterns with engraved silver leaf and bloom inlays. The ebony ramrods have turned ivory tips, and each with its own brass capped ball extractor. The pistols are housed within their original, fitted, mahogany case (18 X 9 X 3 in.) with brass banding. Also present are a three-way powder flask, a mainspring vice, several replacement flints, a correct size pincer ball mould marked “24”, a combination cleaning and ball setting rod with a hidden ball extractor, and an original case key.
English ca. 1815. 22 Bore; (15.13 mm) .596 cal. The 9.125 in. smoothbore, octagonal barrels each have a silver blade fore-sight set into a dovetailed slot. "WARRANTED" is inlaid on the top flat in a gold banner surrounded by gold inlaid floral patterns. Two gold lines and a platinum line are at the breech. Platinum vents. Birmingham proofs, barrelsmith’s mark of "IP," and "DAMAS" are stamped on the bottom. The tang has a standing, integral notch rear sight and classical English floral engraving. The locks have unusual, platinum lined rainproof pans, and the signature of "GRIBBLE./BARUM." engraved just beneath. Also present are antifriction roller frizzens, floral and scroll engraving, bolted safeties, and stepped tails. The pistols are equipped with micro adjustable single set triggers enclosed in a scroll engraved and spurred trigger guard. There is lightly etched "M.1705.A." and "M.1705.B." markings respectively on the trigger guard tangs. The fore-end caps, wedge and wrist escutcheons, floral engraved plats above the nose of the locks, and lion mask pommel caps are all of silver. The silver is without hallmarks. The checkered half-stocks are also inlaid with fabulous silver wire scroll patterns with engraved silver leaf and bloom inlays. The ebony ramrods have turned ivory tips, and each with its own brass capped ball extractor. The pistols are housed within their original, fitted, mahogany case (18 X 9 X 3 in.) with brass banding. Also present are a three-way powder flask, a mainspring vice, several replacement flints, a correct size pincer ball mould marked “24”, a combination cleaning and ball setting rod with a hidden ball extractor, and an original case key.
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Fig. 1: Birmingham Proof Marks Used After 1813.
Historical:
The markings suggest these pistols were made/retailed by a member of the Gribble family from Barnstaple (historically known as Barum) in Southwest England (North Devon.). "Gribble” possibly refers to Joseph Besley Gribble (b 1790-d 1877), the main Gribble patriarch of this period living in Barnstaple, North Devon. Mr. Gribble started an iron foundry in North Devon, and at some point, he immigrated to the United States. He died at the age of 87 in Cincinnati, Ohio. If Joseph Besley Gribble is identified as the correct owner/manufacturer of these pistols, it is concievable that he brought them with him from England when he first immigrated to the US.
Gribble is an unknown gunmaker and not found in the usual literature references (1,2,3,6). There are no other known examples of firearms with Gribble's signature. Examination of the pistols suggests he was involved in the gunmakers trade in some manner. The pistols are absolutely high end and of ultrafine quality. They handle and display well. They were built with many, highly customized features, requiring individual artisans, and taken together make for an incredible presentation. To complete the personalization of these pistols, perhaps for himself, or as an initial introduction to the trade, the lock plates were simply signed GRIBBLE./BARUM. Discussion: The barrel breaches have the inset configuration first patented by Joseph Manton in 1792 (4). This allowed the ignition of the main charge to occur more rapidly and more closely approximate the center of the load. This feature helps to date the pistols to post 1792.
The barrels are each stamped with Birmingham proof marks, used after 1813 (Fig. 1.). "IP” is the barrel-smith forge stamp of John Probin of Birmingham (2).
The pistols have spurious, Irish registration marks scratched on the trigger guard tangs, possibly for the counties of Meath or Monaghan; i.e. M.1705.A & M.1705.B. (In Ireland, the Registration of Firearms Act of 22nd August 1843, provided for the granting of licenses to the owners of firearms and required the arms to be marked under the superintendency of the County Inspector of the Constabulary Force. The registration was usually a letter followed by a 4-digit number.) The Irish registration numbers were normally stamped on the top of the barrels, or the sides, so it is possible these numbers are not true registration marks.
This set of English Duelling pistols (5) are highly unusual in having very decorative elements. The pistols have extensive silver wire inlay and a very decorative breach block. The Joseph Manton patented breach block is decorated with mixed precious metals. The single platinum line is beveled, while the two gold lines are perpendicular. In the center, an engraved group of the Prince of Wales feathers. In addition, the barrel touch holes and flash pans are each lined with platinum. It is unusual to find a flintlock with the flashpan lined with platinum, and very few are known to exist.
Condition: The pistols are in superb, extra fine condition with crisp markings and engravings. The original gold and platinum inlays are bold and bright. There is a natural aged patina on the silver, and much original color case hardening on the locks. Both barrels have a somewhat faded, original browned finish with very distinct Damascus patterns. The bores are bright and appear to be unfired (10/10) . Strong mainspring pressures. Screw slots are excellent. Traces of blued finish and smooth gray and brown patina are found on the trigger guard and ramrod pipes respectively. The English walnut stocks are also very fine and have fine silver inlay, crisp checkering, nice figure, and smooth finish. All of the silver inlay work is well set, original, and without repair. The pistols are both mechanically excellent and fully functional. The case is lined in what appears to be its original green baize. The accessories are all very fine with only mild age and storage related wear. A very desirable and rare pair of highly decorative English duelling pistols. Provenance: Joe M. Wanemacher Jr. Bibliography: 1. Bailey, De Witt, Nie, D.A. (1978) English Gunmakers The Birmingham and Provincial Gun Trade in the 18th and 19th Century. ISBN [0-85368-212-7]. L. Leventhal Ltd.
2. Blackmore, H. (1986) A Dictionary of London Gunmakers 1350-1850. ISBN [0-7148-8021-3]; p. 214. 3. Heer, Eugene (1978) Der Neue Stockl; Journal Verlag Schwend. 4. Joseph Manton was granted patent No. 1865 on APR 18, 1792 for the design of this type of breach. He is also credited as the first to use platinum as a non-fouling material to line the barrel touch holes. Please see Neal, W.K.; Back, D.H.L (1967) The Mantons: Gunmakers; Herbert Jenkins Ltd. p. 139, and Fig. 9. For the platinum citation, see p. 146. 5. Atkinson, John A. (1978) The British Duelling Pistol; ISBN [0-85368-422-7] Arms & Armour Press (GB). 6. Godwin, Brian (2016-17) A List of English and Welsh Provincial Gunsmiths and Gunmakers from 1550-1850. Research Press Library. To see the list click here.
The markings suggest these pistols were made/retailed by a member of the Gribble family from Barnstaple (historically known as Barum) in Southwest England (North Devon.). "Gribble” possibly refers to Joseph Besley Gribble (b 1790-d 1877), the main Gribble patriarch of this period living in Barnstaple, North Devon. Mr. Gribble started an iron foundry in North Devon, and at some point, he immigrated to the United States. He died at the age of 87 in Cincinnati, Ohio. If Joseph Besley Gribble is identified as the correct owner/manufacturer of these pistols, it is concievable that he brought them with him from England when he first immigrated to the US.
Gribble is an unknown gunmaker and not found in the usual literature references (1,2,3,6). There are no other known examples of firearms with Gribble's signature. Examination of the pistols suggests he was involved in the gunmakers trade in some manner. The pistols are absolutely high end and of ultrafine quality. They handle and display well. They were built with many, highly customized features, requiring individual artisans, and taken together make for an incredible presentation. To complete the personalization of these pistols, perhaps for himself, or as an initial introduction to the trade, the lock plates were simply signed GRIBBLE./BARUM. Discussion: The barrel breaches have the inset configuration first patented by Joseph Manton in 1792 (4). This allowed the ignition of the main charge to occur more rapidly and more closely approximate the center of the load. This feature helps to date the pistols to post 1792.
The barrels are each stamped with Birmingham proof marks, used after 1813 (Fig. 1.). "IP” is the barrel-smith forge stamp of John Probin of Birmingham (2).
The pistols have spurious, Irish registration marks scratched on the trigger guard tangs, possibly for the counties of Meath or Monaghan; i.e. M.1705.A & M.1705.B. (In Ireland, the Registration of Firearms Act of 22nd August 1843, provided for the granting of licenses to the owners of firearms and required the arms to be marked under the superintendency of the County Inspector of the Constabulary Force. The registration was usually a letter followed by a 4-digit number.) The Irish registration numbers were normally stamped on the top of the barrels, or the sides, so it is possible these numbers are not true registration marks.
This set of English Duelling pistols (5) are highly unusual in having very decorative elements. The pistols have extensive silver wire inlay and a very decorative breach block. The Joseph Manton patented breach block is decorated with mixed precious metals. The single platinum line is beveled, while the two gold lines are perpendicular. In the center, an engraved group of the Prince of Wales feathers. In addition, the barrel touch holes and flash pans are each lined with platinum. It is unusual to find a flintlock with the flashpan lined with platinum, and very few are known to exist.
Condition: The pistols are in superb, extra fine condition with crisp markings and engravings. The original gold and platinum inlays are bold and bright. There is a natural aged patina on the silver, and much original color case hardening on the locks. Both barrels have a somewhat faded, original browned finish with very distinct Damascus patterns. The bores are bright and appear to be unfired (10/10) . Strong mainspring pressures. Screw slots are excellent. Traces of blued finish and smooth gray and brown patina are found on the trigger guard and ramrod pipes respectively. The English walnut stocks are also very fine and have fine silver inlay, crisp checkering, nice figure, and smooth finish. All of the silver inlay work is well set, original, and without repair. The pistols are both mechanically excellent and fully functional. The case is lined in what appears to be its original green baize. The accessories are all very fine with only mild age and storage related wear. A very desirable and rare pair of highly decorative English duelling pistols. Provenance: Joe M. Wanemacher Jr. Bibliography: 1. Bailey, De Witt, Nie, D.A. (1978) English Gunmakers The Birmingham and Provincial Gun Trade in the 18th and 19th Century. ISBN [0-85368-212-7]. L. Leventhal Ltd.
2. Blackmore, H. (1986) A Dictionary of London Gunmakers 1350-1850. ISBN [0-7148-8021-3]; p. 214. 3. Heer, Eugene (1978) Der Neue Stockl; Journal Verlag Schwend. 4. Joseph Manton was granted patent No. 1865 on APR 18, 1792 for the design of this type of breach. He is also credited as the first to use platinum as a non-fouling material to line the barrel touch holes. Please see Neal, W.K.; Back, D.H.L (1967) The Mantons: Gunmakers; Herbert Jenkins Ltd. p. 139, and Fig. 9. For the platinum citation, see p. 146. 5. Atkinson, John A. (1978) The British Duelling Pistol; ISBN [0-85368-422-7] Arms & Armour Press (GB). 6. Godwin, Brian (2016-17) A List of English and Welsh Provincial Gunsmiths and Gunmakers from 1550-1850. Research Press Library. To see the list click here.
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