British officer's blunderbuss pistol

Fernando K · 29th January 2021, 07:57 PM

Hello

My understanding is that the crowned P predates the official establishment of the Birmingham Test Bench in 1813. Therefore the date would be earlier than 1813

Affectionately

M ELEY · 30th January 2021, 07:09 AM

Thank you, Jim and Fernando K, for this information! I had totally forgotten about the early P/crown stamp! Fernando, you have confirmed what Jim had surmised that the block letter signature for Wallis was, in fact, an earlier mark by this maker. I'm very happy with this, as the pre-1813 date puts this naval piece into the Napoleonic/War of 1812 era! Excellent!

corrado26 · 5th March 2021, 02:07 PM

Does anyone have some detailed documentation relative to the 1781 patent of the spring bayonet granted to John Waters?

Dmitry · 29th May 2021, 02:43 AM

The crowned P and V marks are the private Birmingham proof marks. It's a nice pistol, but I don't see it as "highly popular with naval officers" without proof (no pun intended). The example Jim posted in #7 looks more like a private purchase martial arm, a nice, beefy stock, along the lines of an officer's pistol. I suppose an officer could've bought any kind of pistol his wallet allowed, but I would imagine many of the commissioned officers relied on their ship's sea service pistols, if the need arose.

corrado26 · 29th May 2021, 08:14 AM

Finally a portrait of George Wallis

Raf · 29th May 2021, 11:16 AM

So why might Wallis choose to have himself depicted holding an extremely rare German all steel Wheelock pistol from about 1550 ?
Answer George Wallis was a celebrated Antiquary and Gunsmith who established a museum at his Mytonngate premises by 1794 displaying not only weapons but coins, ores and petrifications. The weapons included the all -steel Brunswick wheelock pistol shown in the portrait.

corrado26 · 29th May 2021, 11:33 AM

May be he was not only a gunmaker but also a collector od historic arms?

29th May 2021, 02:43 AM	#4
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	The crowned P and V marks are the private Birmingham proof marks. It's a nice pistol, but I don't see it as "highly popular with naval officers" without proof (no pun intended). The example Jim posted in #7 looks more like a private purchase martial arm, a nice, beefy stock, along the lines of an officer's pistol. I suppose an officer could've bought any kind of pistol his wallet allowed, but I would imagine many of the commissioned officers relied on their ship's sea service pistols, if the need arose. Last edited by Dmitry; 29th May 2021 at 02:58 AM.

29th May 2021, 08:14 AM	#5
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,226	Finally a portrait of George Wallis Attached Images

29th May 2021, 11:16 AM	#6
Raf Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 252	So why might Wallis choose to have himself depicted holding an extremely rare German all steel Wheelock pistol from about 1550 ? Answer George Wallis was a celebrated Antiquary and Gunsmith who established a museum at his Mytonngate premises by 1794 displaying not only weapons but coins, ores and petrifications. The weapons included the all -steel Brunswick wheelock pistol shown in the portrait. Last edited by Raf; 29th May 2021 at 11:39 AM.

29th January 2021, 07:57 PM	#1
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 671	Hello My understanding is that the crowned P predates the official establishment of the Birmingham Test Bench in 1813. Therefore the date would be earlier than 1813 Affectionately

30th January 2021, 07:09 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,146	Thank you, Jim and Fernando K, for this information! I had totally forgotten about the early P/crown stamp! Fernando, you have confirmed what Jim had surmised that the block letter signature for Wallis was, in fact, an earlier mark by this maker. I'm very happy with this, as the pre-1813 date puts this naval piece into the Napoleonic/War of 1812 era! Excellent!

5th March 2021, 02:07 PM	#3
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,226	Does anyone have some detailed documentation relative to the 1781 patent of the spring bayonet granted to John Waters?

29th May 2021, 11:33 AM	#7
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,226	May be he was not only a gunmaker but also a collector od historic arms?