Page 201 - 4093-BOOK3

The flat locks have “-PROSSER-” in gold inlay beneath the gold-lined rainproof pans, frizzen
spring rollers, sliding half-cock safeties, and burst, martial, and floral border engraving. The
triggers are single set without visible adjustment screws. The walnut half-stocks feature
narrow checkered wrists. One of the ramrod features a worm and horn tip and the other
features a removable iron tip that serves as a powder measure. The mounts are silver and
feature London hallmarks for 1803 along with “RT” silversmith marks. The wrist escutcheons
depict St. George slaying the dragon. The pommels feature three-faced gorgons and
acanthus spurs. The trigger guard bows have a classical martial trophy motif. The wedge
escutcheons are a floral bloom design. The side plates feature a spread wing eagle
surrounded by a wreath clenching banner in its claws reading “Presented by the Governor
& Council of Esseomibo [sic] & Demerara TO COL. Thos. Hislop Commandant Anno 1802”.
The pair comes in their original mahogany baize lined case with a stag crest over “TH”
inscribed on the lid escutcheon, a John Prosser trade label inside the lid, green baize lining,
a three-way combination flask, loading/cleaning rod with removable wood handle, “34”
marked ball mold, wood handled turnscrew with pick, an interesting iron multi-tool with
pick, cards, flints, and several lead balls.
Sir Thomas Hislop, 1st Baronet, (1764-1843) was a long serving British Army officer rising
from the rank of lieutenant-general. His father was Lieutenant Colonel William Hislop, and
both of his brothers also entered the Royal Army and were killed while serving in India in
the early 1780s. Hislop graduated from the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich during the
American Revolution and was assigned as an ensign in the 39th Regiment of Foot in 1778
and fought in the successful British defense during the Great Siege of Gibraltar against
America’s French and Spanish allies. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1783 and became
a captain by purchase in 1785. He continued to serve in the army during the French
Revolutionary Wars. He was promoted to major and then lieutenant colonel in the 1795.
He and the 39th Regiment of Foot were sent to the West Indies in 1796, and he led them
during the capture of Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice from the Dutch. Afterwards,
Hislop became the military commandant until 1802 when the territories were returned
to the Dutch in the Peace of Amiens. They were captured again the following year and
Demerara-Essequibo became a formal British Colony in 1815, part of British Guiana in 1831,
and subsequently part of the independent country of Guyana.
In 1802, Hislop was promoted to colonel and became the lieutenant governor of Trinidad
and supported further operations in the region against the Spanish and French during
the Napoleonic Wars, including commanding the 1st Division during the capture of
Guadeloupe in 1810. He was promoted to major general in October 1809 and returned to
England due to health issues in 1811. He soon recovered and was promoted to lieutenant-
general and assigned as the commander-in-chief of the British forces at Bombay in 1812.
Hislop boarded the HMS Java commanded by Captain Lambert en route to India.
The Java was
engaged,
heavily
damaged,
and captured
by the crew of the USS Constitution led
by Captain Bainbridge on December 29, 1812, off the coast of
Brazil. During the engagement, Hislop fought alongside the crew
in an intense single-ship action against the superior American
vessel. During the battle, Captain Lambert was mortally wounded,
22 others were killed, and another 102 were wounded. The crew of
the Constitution suffered nine men killed, 4-5 mortally wounded,
another 52 wounded including Captain Bainbridge, and significant
damage. The helm of the Java was salvaged to repair the Constitution, and
then the Java was burned.
Hislop was taken prisoner but was paroled in Brazil and returned to Britain the following
April. He was made a baronet and Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath finally
arrived in India towards the end of 1814 and took command of the Madras Army. He was
in command during the Pindaris War of 1817-1819. He subsequently commanded the 93rd
Regiment of Foot, 51st Regiment of Foot, and 48th Regiment of Foot before
his death in 1843.
CONDITION: Fine as professionally refinished with most of the brown finish and distinct
Damascus patterns along the barrel, bright gold, dark gray and brown patina on the
balance of the iron, repaired cock, light patina on the mounts, and general mild age and
storage related wear including faint traces of pitting. The stock is also fine aside from a
crack at the rear of the wedge on the left and has crisp checkering and minor dings and
scratches. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are also fine and have mild age and
storage related wear. B) Prosser Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 9 5/8 inch octagon bbl.,
brown/casehardened/silver finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Fine as professionally refinished with most of the brown finish and distinct
Damascus patterns along the barrel, bright gold, dark gray and brown patina on the
balance of the iron, light patina on the mounts, and general mild age and storage related
wear including faint traces of pitting. The stock is also fine aside from some faint cracks and
repairs and has crisp checkering and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. Overall,
this is a very distinctive, attractive, and well-known pair of British presentation pistols.
Provenance: Sir Thomas Hislop, 1st Baronet; The Arthur Richard Dufty Collection;
Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 45,000 - 65,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOKS THE ART
OF THE GUNMAKER, VOL. III BY HAYWARD, FIREARMS BY
BLACKMORE & THE BRITISH DUELING PISTOL BY ATKINSON
199