A FINE SMALL 90 BORE FLINTLOCK POCKET PISTOL BY... Lot 418

A FINE SMALL 90 BORE FLINTLOCK POCKET PISTOL BY PETER BARBER, NEWARK, CIRCA 1750 with turn-off cannon barrel engraved at the breech end, rounded breech numbered ‘1’ and struck with London proof marks and the maker’s mark beneath, engraved box-lock action signed within rococo scrolls carried by martial trophies on the right, with a further trophy and inscribed ‘Newark’ on the left, engraved sliding thumb-piece safety-catch, swelling figured walnut butt profusely inlaid with silver wire scrolls, chased silver butt-cap decorated with a grotesque mask, engraved steel trigger-guard, and in fine condition throughout 3.0 cm, barrel Provenance Bonhams Knightsbridge, 20th April 2011, lot 383 Peter Barber (circa 1716-67) married Sarah Marfleet, his second wife, in 1748. Their son Isaac was christened 14th September 1750 and also worked as a gunmaker in Newark.