Original British Fur-Trade Flintlock Pistol by Nock of London with Birmingham Proofed Barrel – circa 1820 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Henry Nock (1741–1804) was a legendary London Gunsmith, Inventor, and Engineer, who began his career as a locksmith, patenting a design in 1775, before forming several companies to market his products. He truly rose to prominence in 1779 with being contracted to produce James Wilson’s “Volley Gun” design, which are highly sought after. Nock became a Freeman of the Gunmakers Company in 1784, after which he was one of the most sought after gunmakers during the French Revolution and Napoleonic periods. His guns were well made, and his designs very innovative, and he carved out a solid place in British gunmaking history before his death in 1804.

His company continued after his death, being run by his foreman and son-in-law James Wilkinson, and this company would eventually become Wilkinson Sword company. Nock also had a nephew, Samuel Nock, was an apprentice under him, and became a well-known gunmaker in his own right, becoming a master of the Gunmakers Company of London in 1836.

We believe that this very nice fur trade pistol is most likely by the nephew, Samuel Nock, and is marked NOCK on the lock plate. It is all iron mounted, with simplified stock without a butt plate, much like other Fur Trade pistols of the period. It is 12 ½ inches in overall length, and features a 7 inch .68″ caliber smoothbore barrel, which is marked LONDON on the top. The barrel also has the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC “proof” and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V “viewed” marks from the English city of Birmingham on the top near the breech. These are the correct markings for 1813 and later manufacture. There is also what looks to be a maker mark between them, however it is too faint to read. It comes complete with a wooden ramrod, which is probably a period replacement for display.

The pistol is in lovely condition, with a nice matured patina on the metalwork, and a lovely stock. There is a crack on the left side of the stock running through the rear lock screw escutcheon, as is often seen. There is also a lengthwise crack on the back of the grip, and another on the right side, so this definitely looks to have seen a good amount of use. We checked the lock, and it is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full.

A lovely example from the early 19th century, ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1820
Caliber: .58″ Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 7 inches
Overall Length: 12 ½ inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.