A Flintlock Blunderbuss Pistol by Nicholson of London. With belled brass barrel and action in one piece, the former with two mouldings at the muzzle, with border engraved box-lock action, decorated with stands of arms and signed, ‘CORNHILL LONDON’ to the right and ’NICHOLSON’ within an roval to the left, slab sided walnut butt (some losses where the wood meets the action), engraved steel trigger guard, that releases the underslung bayonet (a later replacement), with side mounted brass tipped ramrod. 

Nicholson, E. D. [1760-1808]

Shop in Cornhill, London. Made flintlock, box lock pocket pistols and officers flintlock holster pistols. Cased pairs of flintlock duelling pistols with loading accessories. Also made flintlock carbines and muskets with Royal Cypher. 

A. Merwyn Carey (1954) English, Irish and Scottish Firearms Makers, Acro Publishing Company, New York. 

or 

NICHOLSON 

William Free of Gunmakers Co. by redemption, 1780. Took Livery, 1788. Elected Assistant, 1790; Master 1793. Gunmaker, 17 Houndsditch, 1779-86; 45 Cornhill, 1786-94. Contractor to East India Co., 1779-94. Trade label advertised new-inventred HOUSE GUNS, that, when fired in the Centre of the Room, will turn to the door and or windows, and fire, if attempted to be forced open in the night or any other time by Robbers. 

Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. USA. 

Dimensions:

Bore: N/A

Barrel Length: 7 Inches 

Overall Length: 12.5 Inches