Thanks to Fernando K and to Corrado. I have now seen a lot of ROBT HARUEY signatures, enough to convince me that that was how he spelled his name
I have since thought that my HARVEY pistols are poss. by Thomas Harvey. who was Robert's apprentice (and his son or nephew) but not yet a "freeman" so used a general signature, not his own or his master's. His barrel-making skills, or lack of them, may have been the reason for using Gandon's barrels. His apprenticeship may also explain the gap between the silver hallmark (1721) and the possibly later style of lockplate signature on a scroll.
Neil
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