Original 18th Century British Flintlock Hunting Sword Pistol with Scabbard by J. Harris of London – Circa 1750 Original Items

Original Item. Only one available. This is a wonderful example of a mid 18th Century Flintlock Sword Pistol by J. Harris of London, complete with its ORIGINAL brass mounted Scabbard. Flintlock Sword / Pistols are always scarce, but not unheard of, however one still in its original scabbard is!

Made in London around 1750, such a weapon was taken while gaming hunting by the gentry to put a wounded deer or other animal out of its misery, leaving the huntsman unscathed. Combination weapons of this sort were mostly found on the continent: British made examples are extremely rare. The maker name has been “latinized” from J Harris to I Harris (there is no J in Latin), and London changed to Londini, probably to make it more appealing. According to A. Merwyn Carey’s work ENGLISH, IRISH, AND SCOTTISH FIREARMS MAKERS, page 45, J. Harris worked circa 1750 at a Shop at Becketts, St. James, London, and was known for making these type of hunting swords.

This example is fitted with a 21 1/2″ fullered SAW BACK blade and measures 26 1/2″ overall. The right side of the blade has a 4 inch long Queen Anne style Cannon Barrel engraved on the top with I. HARRIS LONDINI, which is ignited by a flintlock action mounted of the left side of the barrel. There is also a viewing proof mark and the roman numeral II engraved. The trigger descends vertically from the underside of the Stag horn grip. Equipped with a shell guard to the right side , the single bar guard and pommel are all or cast in decorated brass. The flintlock cock has a Swan Neck Cock and the frizzen spring has a decorated spread hand type tail.

The Sword is encased in its original brass mounted leather scabbard which is fitted with a wide mouthed top mount that accommodates the pistol barrel and most of the action to within 3/4″ of the cross guard butting up against the rear of the frizzen. The Sword in its scabbard measure 30″ overall.

In overall excellent condition. Care should be taken with the leather portion of the scabbard as there is a weak spot where it now bends approximately in the middle.

From an English Country House wall, carefully cleaned, ready to display

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