Product Details
HENRY NOCK, LONDON
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE 120-BORE FLINTLOCK SEVEN-SHOT HAND-REVOLVED PEPPERBOX PISTOL, no visible serial number,
circa 1800, with six round turn-off 2 1/4in. barrels (frozen) clustered around a further central barrel, the outer barrels numbered sequentially from '1' to '6', false rifling to all muzzles, the short fluted cylindrical breech-block hand rotating within a fixed engraved outer band, private proofs, deep rainproof self-priming pan with roller frizzen, squared boxlock action engraved with borders and martial trophies, signed 'H. NOCK, LONDON' within an oval on the right hand side the left side with sliding locking catch for the barrels and an exposed wingnut, borderline engraved central hammer with sliding bar safe also locking the frizzen, substantial smooth slab-sided walnut butt with silver oval escutcheon to wrist engraved 'R.J.C.' (rubbed) and guarded trigger
Other Notes: These rare pistols were a logical development of Nock's Volley Gun (q.v), but instead of discharging all seven barrels at once, the firing was controlled by the user. On this example the central barrel was discharged simultaneously with barrel number '1'. Priming was achieved by filling the deep pan with powder, then rotating the barrel until each priming depression had been filled and turned out of battery within the (supposed) gas-tight outer shield. The purpose of the side-mounted 'wingnut' has not been fully explained; all existing examples have it, sometimes on the left and sometimes on the right hand side. It is possibly for a belt attachment.
Please click HERE to view Terms & Conditions.
Estimate £4,000-6,000