R. Rowland
With swamped 11 inch three-stage sighted barrel rifled with sixteen grooves and with scroll engraving at the breech, the pistol being loaded by removing a screw-plug underneath the barrel that is attached to the trigger-guard, tang engraved with smiling face and incorporating a back-sight with flip-up leaf, rounded lock signed ‘R. ROWLAND’ and engraved with foliage, moulded figured walnut full stock, engraved brass mounts including spurred pommel with grotesque mask cap and pierced side-plate, and later brass-capped ramrod, London proof marks, maker’s mark of Robert Rowland.
Provenance: J.C.L. Knapton Collection, Christie’s South Kensington, 28th February 1990, Lot 92.
Exhibitions: The Art of the Armourer, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1963, No. 277.
Literature: H.L. Blackmore, Firearms, p. 150.
Robert Rowland is recorded as having gun barrels seized from his shop by the Gunmakers’ Company in 1704. He was made free by redemption of the Gunmakers’ Company in 1715 and died in 1721.