Mint Silver Mounted Presentation pistol c1798

A mint [or as near mint as you can get] flintlock officer’s pistol from the late 18th century.
The pistol was made by John Prosser and presented by John Bligh the 4th Earl of Darnley, Ireland, to William Brown on May 11th 1798.
John Prosser was a sword cutler, gunmaker and interestingly a silversmith at 9 Charing Cross, London from 1796 to 1853.
The 15 bore, smoothbore, sighted, octagonal to round Damascus barrel with a gold touch hole measures 9 inches. The whole pistol measures 15 inches. The top flat is deeply and clearly engraved ‘Charing Cross London’. Note the use of the antiquated form of the letter ‘S’.
The plain, stepped, flat lock is engraved ‘Prosser’ with the same antiquated form of the letter ‘S’. The lock features a bolted safety, swan neck cock, integral pan with a gold wash and roller frizzen. Needless to say, the action is in excellent working order.
The furniture is all silver. The fishtail butt has boarder line engraving, the trigger guard is similar with the addition of floral patterns, trophies and a acorn finial. The silver wrist echelon is engraved with the crest of the Cobham Yeomanry.
The elaborate silver side plate is engraved with trophies and flags and inscribed ‘WILLIAM BROWN MAY 11TH 1798’. According to the press of the day, the prize was given by Load Darnley to Mr Brown of Chalk for his excellence in ‘manoeuvering’ and ‘skill in the sword exercise’.
The fishtail full length walnut stock is in very good condition as is the original silver tipped rammer.
A flintlock pistol in such excellent condition and carrying its own providence is a rare item indeed.
Sold as a collector item only.
Because of the high value of this item special shipping arrangements may have to be made. Lay buy is available.