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LOT 3278
Silver Mounted Pair of
Engraved and Gold Inlaid H. Nock Flintlock Pistols with 1784 Hallmarks and Inscriptions for G. Crawfurd
of the Royal Horse Guards Blue -A) H. Nock Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 9 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/gold/
silver finish, walnut stock. Henry Nock (1741-1804) was among the most talented and innovative of the English gunmakers in
the late 18th century and early 19th century, and his shop produced a wide array of arms for the British military as well as private
arms purchased by officers and well-to-do gentlemen. The silver mounts on these pistol have London hallmarks, including the “i” date
code for 1784, and an “M•B” maker’s mark. The pommel caps are each inscribed “G=CRAWFURD” and “RL REGT HORSE GUARDS BLUE”. The Royal Regiment of
Horse Guards Blue (later known as The Blues or Oxford Blues) was a regiment in the British Army and part of the Household Cavalry and date back to 1650 and are
recognized as the second most senior regiment of the British Army. They fought in Germany during the Seven Years War and would have been stationed in the
U.K. on home service when these pistols were made. They returned to the Continent to fight during the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars. G.
Crawfurd’s identity is not clear. Gibbs Crawfurd (1732-1793) was an Ordnance clerk and M.P. for Queenboro, and his son Thomas Gibbs Crawfurd (1769-1830) of
Paxhill Park, Lindfield was an officer in the Royal Horse Guards (Blues). There may be a connection to George Lindsay-Crawford, 22nd Earl of Crawford, (1758-
1808) who served in the British Army from the American Revolutionary War to the Napoleonic Wars in various positions. His surname is also sometimes spelled
Crawfurd. For example, in 1783, “Captain George Earl of Crawfurd” was noted as to become a major in the 92nd Regiment of Foot.
This pair of pistols are featured in Bernard Dickens’ article “M.B: The Gunmaker’s Silversmith: A Question of Attribution,” The Journal of the Arms & Armour Society, Vol. XVI, No. 2, March,
1999, pages 86-117 (see 18th on the list on page 99). The smoothbore Damascus barrels have small silver blade front sights, short sighting flats at the breech with burst patterns at the front
and “H. NOCK LONDON” inscribed in gold inlaid banners, engraved gold bands at the breeches, and gold lined vents. The standing breeches have foliate engraving. The casehardened flat
beveled locks are signed “H Nock” in script and have interesting stirrup links connecting the frizzens to the frizzen springs. The mounts are silver and feature French rococo patterns as well
as martial trophies. The wrist escutcheon feature flowers and love birds and hearts as well as wreaths and garlands. The half-length stocks and ramrods have horn tips, and the stocks also
feature raised relief scroll and shell carving.
CONDITION: Very good overall as refinished with the vast majority of the finish remaining, bright gold, aged patina on the silver mounts, a faint crack in the neck of the cock, minor
oxidation, and general mild overall wear including some scrapes and dings on the stock. The engraving, markings, and carving are distinct. Mechanically fine.
B) H. Nock Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 9 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/gold/silver finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very good overall as refinished with the vast majority of the finish remaining, bright gold, aged patina on the silver mounts, some minor pitting, some small chips and
cracks in the stock, and general mild overall wear. The engraving, carving, and markings are crisp. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: G. Crawfurd of the Royal Horse Guards Blue; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 13,000
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