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Robert Wheeler O/U Flintlock Pistol
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70021
A Fine 43 Bore, Flintlock, Box Lock, O/U, Tap-Action Pistol:
English ca. 1815-1820. 43 Bore; (12.10 mm) 0.476 cal. Signed: Wheeler & Son, London. This was gunsmith Robert "3" Wheeler (w 1799-1813) who latter became Robert Wheeler & Son (1814-1843) (1,2). The pistol is fitted with two, heavy, 7.3 cm turn-off brass barrels numbered 2 & 3. The border engraved brass breeches are numbered to correspond. (The barrel numbering most likely indicates this pistol was from a pair of pistols.) Wheat-leaf border engraved brass action signed within an oval against a martial trophy on both sides. Left side with tap action pan selector. Engraved and blued thumb piece safety catch, also locking the steel. Steel trigger guard engraved with a star on the bow. Checkered, English walnut grip with vacant diamond shaped silver escutcheon. Birmingham proof marks. Overall length is 20 cm. Weight is 580 g. Condition: Condition is excellent throughout. Fully functional. Good mechanics with strong mainspring pressure. Clean, smooth bores. The pistol is engraved with wheat-leaf borders, indicating excellent quality. The William Keith Neal Collection Tag 369 and Christie’s Auction Tag from the 1995 auction are present. A high quality and large caliber pistol in O/U format. Provenance: Bonhams Knightsbridge; Sale: 21639; Lot: 582; 26 NOV 2014.
Christie’s London; Lot: 231; 8 NOV 1995; (£ 1,150.) “Fine Antique Firearms from the W. Keith Neal Collection” William Keith Neal Collection Tag P369.
Curator's Footnotes: • The firm of Robert Wheeler & Son of 24 Snow Hill, Birmingham, was known to have marked their firearms “London.” They kept a gun and pistol warehouse at 16 Staining Lane, Cheapside, London between 1805-1808. They were contractors to Ordnance and to the Hudson’s Bay Company. The firm also had a considerable business supplying guns and rifles to the American trading companies. Bibliography: 1. Heer, Eugene (1978) Der Neue Stockel, Vol 2, p. 1375. Journal Verlag Schwend; Schwabisch Hall. 2. Blackmore, Howard (1986) A Dictionary of London Gunmakers, 1350-1850, Phaidon, Christie's Oxford. ISBN [0-7148-8021-3] p. 200. This was Robert "3" Wheeler who was recorded as working under his own name in Birmingham and in London (w 1799-1813). He eventually went into partnership with his son and the firm then did business as Robert Wheeler & Son (1814-43).
A Fine 43 Bore, Flintlock, Box Lock, O/U, Tap-Action Pistol:
English ca. 1815-1820. 43 Bore; (12.10 mm) 0.476 cal. Signed: Wheeler & Son, London. This was gunsmith Robert "3" Wheeler (w 1799-1813) who latter became Robert Wheeler & Son (1814-1843) (1,2). The pistol is fitted with two, heavy, 7.3 cm turn-off brass barrels numbered 2 & 3. The border engraved brass breeches are numbered to correspond. (The barrel numbering most likely indicates this pistol was from a pair of pistols.) Wheat-leaf border engraved brass action signed within an oval against a martial trophy on both sides. Left side with tap action pan selector. Engraved and blued thumb piece safety catch, also locking the steel. Steel trigger guard engraved with a star on the bow. Checkered, English walnut grip with vacant diamond shaped silver escutcheon. Birmingham proof marks. Overall length is 20 cm. Weight is 580 g. Condition: Condition is excellent throughout. Fully functional. Good mechanics with strong mainspring pressure. Clean, smooth bores. The pistol is engraved with wheat-leaf borders, indicating excellent quality. The William Keith Neal Collection Tag 369 and Christie’s Auction Tag from the 1995 auction are present. A high quality and large caliber pistol in O/U format. Provenance: Bonhams Knightsbridge; Sale: 21639; Lot: 582; 26 NOV 2014.
Christie’s London; Lot: 231; 8 NOV 1995; (£ 1,150.) “Fine Antique Firearms from the W. Keith Neal Collection” William Keith Neal Collection Tag P369.
Curator's Footnotes: • The firm of Robert Wheeler & Son of 24 Snow Hill, Birmingham, was known to have marked their firearms “London.” They kept a gun and pistol warehouse at 16 Staining Lane, Cheapside, London between 1805-1808. They were contractors to Ordnance and to the Hudson’s Bay Company. The firm also had a considerable business supplying guns and rifles to the American trading companies. Bibliography: 1. Heer, Eugene (1978) Der Neue Stockel, Vol 2, p. 1375. Journal Verlag Schwend; Schwabisch Hall. 2. Blackmore, Howard (1986) A Dictionary of London Gunmakers, 1350-1850, Phaidon, Christie's Oxford. ISBN [0-7148-8021-3] p. 200. This was Robert "3" Wheeler who was recorded as working under his own name in Birmingham and in London (w 1799-1813). He eventually went into partnership with his son and the firm then did business as Robert Wheeler & Son (1814-43).
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