An Unusual 25-Bore Flintlock Box-Lock Pistol With Spring Bayonet

An Unusual 25-Bore Flintlock Box-Lock Pistol With Spring Bayonet By Waters Of Birmingham, Circa 1780 With brass three-stage cannon barrel fitted with folding bayonet beneath, border engraved brass action (top jaw and screw replaced) signed within a scroll against rococo ornament on one side, and on the other with rococo ornament and foliage against a martial trophy, engraved thumbpiece safety-catch, sliding steel trigger-guard engraved with a flower-head on the bow (worn) and also forming the bayonet-catch, figured rounded butt, border engraved vacant brass escutcheon, brass grotesque mask butt-cap, and side-mounted ramrod with steel worm (tip missing), private Birmingham proof marks 19 cm. barrel Footnotes: This is an unusual variant of the more commonly found Waters patent blunderbuss-pistol. John Waters was granted British Patent No. 1824 on 9 March 1781 for attaching bayonets to pistols, and is generally credited with the invention of the spring bayonet. He worked in Birmingham between 1766 and his death in 1788 Cf. two very similar but smaller pistols sold in these Rooms, Antique Arms and Armour..., 25 July 2007, lot 428; and The Richard Garrett Collection..., 28 November 2018, lot 300 This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing