E & W Bond flintlock pistol

[Shreckmeister]

Could someone familiar with English proof marks interpret these for me.  Much appreciate.

https://s29.postimg.org/lmmq5fiav/IMG_1875.jpg

[Seth Isaacson]

"crown/GP" and "crown/V" are London Gunmakers' Company private proof (GP) and view marks (V). The "L" is likely the barrel or gun maker's mark. It is fairly common to have a maker hallmark between the proof and view stamp. Maybe what appears to be an "L" is actually a partially faded "B."

Philip Bond:


Example of the barrel markings on a Robert Wilson and Wilson & Son pistols:




Edited to combine with added pictures.

[Feltwad]

Rambling Historian is correct the proof marks are those of the  London   Gun Makers for the London Proof House the letter V below the crown is the viewers mark and the GP below the crown is the Proof House the two letters could be those of the barrel maker
Feltwad

[Shreckmeister]

Thank you.  These are on a British New Land Cavalry pistol I came across.

[Seth Isaacson]

The markings would indicate that pistol was made for private/commercial sales and not a government contract. Any sign of East India Company connections?

[Shreckmeister]

Where would I look

[smart dog]

Hi,
It could also be private purchase for a local volunteer militia.

dave

[Shreckmeister]

The lock is marked E & W Bond

[smart dog]

Hi,
Edward and William Bond are listed by Blackmore as a joint firm in business from 1825-1834, when Edward died.  They had a London address and were also gunmakers to the Hudson's Bay Company.

dave

[Seth Isaacson]

Doesn't sounds like an EIC pistol. There would probably be a conspicuous logo on the metal or wood if it was, often on the lock. There are several possibilities for who could have used it as noted by others, but it doesn't sound like there is any direct evidence to point towards any specifics.

[Hungry Horse]

I had a gentleman bring an odd English pistol by some years ago, that had EIC markings on it. He brought it by because he thought it had been restocked sometime in its life, since it had no provision for a ramrod. It was a smaller version of a sea service pistol, with about an eight inch barrel, and a 4-1/2 or 5" lock. The EIC stamping were on the traditional sea service buttcap, along with several others that were indistinguishable. The stock appeared to be original.

  Hungry Horse

[Seth Isaacson]

Early 1800s Belgian sea service pistols were not fitted with ramrods and sometimes have EIC markings.

[Mike Brooks]

Early 1800s Belgian sea service pistols were not fitted with ramrods and sometimes have EIC markings.

I remember when you could buy those for $20....

[Hungry Horse]

 The gun that showed up at my shop had the traditional British round butt, and a brass cap with short ears. The forestock was stepped just like it would be if it had a ramrod channel, and entry pipe, but it had neither. The barrel was pinned into the stock, and it had no nose cap. The bore was in the 20 gauge range, and the side plate was a simple "L" shaped affair. The lock was flat faced with a flat double throated cock, and Tower markings.

     Hungry Horse

[Seth Isaacson]

Interesting. That doesn't sound like anything I've seen.

[smart dog]

Hi Hungry Horse,
Between 1796 and 1801, the British made cavalry pistols using flat locks with double throated flintcocks, 9" 16 ga barrels, and separate ramrods that were stored in the holster.  The stocks were the same as those used for pistols with ramrod pipes and rods so they look curiously unfinished. The British abandoned the design after 1801 and included swivel mounted ramrods on their cavalry pistols.

dave
 .

[Hungry Horse]

Smart Dog, that sounds like the gun I examined. The gun had an English walnut stock that had been home to quite a few wood borers in the past. I wonder how the E.I.C. Became owners of this piece.

  Hungry Horse

[smart dog]

Hi HH,
It was probably made for their quasi-private cavalry, which was actively engaged in India at the time.

dave