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LOT 1232
Historic Cased Pair of Engraved H. Nock Percussion Officer’s Pistols with Case Inscribed “Captain Alfred
Matthews R.N.” -A) Percussion Officer’s Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 7 3/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/
blue finish, checkered walnut stock. This pair dates to around the 1830s the after Henry Nock’s death in 1804 and
features smoothbore Damascus barrels with post front sights, dovetailed peep and notch rear sights, Birmingham
proofs and “TWISTED” on the bottom flats, swivel mounted ramrods, and engraved casehardened breech plugs
with inlaid platinum bands. The locks have “H Nock” signed below the bolsters, sliding safeties, and foliate scroll
engraving. The mounts have coordinating engraving. The stocks have horn forend caps, silver escutcheons,
and checkered bag shaped grips. The pair come in a fitted case with dark green lining, “35” marked ball mold,
adjustable measure, “DIXON & SONS/MADE IN ENGLAND” marked flask, screwdriver, nipple wrench, and a key. The
case’s flat folding handle is inscribed “Captain Alfred Matthews”, and the escutcheon is inscribed “R.N.” “Royal Naval
Biography” Vol. IV Part II from 1835 provides details of Captain Alfred Matthews’s (1793-1873) life and service in
the Royal Navy. He was the third surviving son of John Matthews of Belmont, Herfordshire and entered the Royal
Navy at the age of 11 as a midshipman on the Culloden commanded by Captain Lane. He served on a series of
ships under different captains, including on the Tigre commanded by Captain Benjamin Hallowell in Nelson’s
squadron during the pursuit of the combined Franco-Spanish fleet in the West Indies as well as on the Iphigenia
under Captain Henry Lambert. On board the latter, he was involved in an incident with the Boadicea in August
1809 near Mauritius during which the frigate lost its bowsprit and foremast and came under heavy fire but was
ultimately able to escape and served in Captain Rowley’s squadron during the capture of the Isle of Bourbon
the following July. That August, the Iphigenia was part of the disastrous Battle of Grand Port and was captured.
Matthews was held at Port Louis until the Isle of France was captured in December 1810. He became a lieutenant
under Captain Schomberg on the Astraea on Feb. 11, 1812, and served under Captain William Henry Percy on
the Hermes beginning on April 18, 1814. Percy lost 50 of his crew during a failed attack on Fort Bowyer on the
Alabama coast and burned the Hermes to prevent its capture. After its loss, Matthews served with the British
forces during the famous Battle of New Orleans on in early 1815.
He continued on in the Royal Navy and became
a captain on July 19, 1822, and commanded the
Suriname and Icarus. We have found that he was a
resident of Sidmouth in retirement and proved to be
somewhat troublesome, including being indicted
in 1843 for a “common assault” on William Barrett of
Sidmouth and that “the gallant captain” ultimately
pleaded guilty to the charge. In 1860, he was noted as
a resident of Sidmouth in records for another incident.
He published “Fire, Considered as the Seaman’s
Scourge” in 1866 and died in 1873.
CONDITION: Fine with 60% original brown finish and distinct Damascus patterns along the barrel, some light
pitting, mix of fading original case colors and smooth brown patina on the lock as well as the standing breech
and breech plug, dark aged patina on the silver escutcheons, and 95% plus blue finish on the other mounts, and
fairly minor overall wear. The forend cap has small loss from insects on the left, but the stock is otherwise very fine
and has crisp checkering and minor marks and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The relined case is very good
with period revarnished exterior and mild age and storage related wear. B) Percussion Officer’s Pistol - NSN, 54
cal., 7 3/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, checkered walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Fine with a 75% plus original brown finish and distinct Damascus patterns along the barrel, 75%
plus original case colors, 85% plus blue finish, light oxidation/pitting mainly on the barrel, and smooth gray and
brown patina on the balance. Aside from a thin crack and small insect loss spot on the horn forend cap, the stock
is very fine and has crisp checkering and some faint scratches. Mechanically excellent. Overall, a very interesting
pair of officer’s pistols with a case inscribed for a colorful British officer who served during the War of 1812 and
Napoleonic Wars.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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