A Good Pair of Percussion Overcoat Pistols by H. Nock. With heavy sighted octagonal barrels, engraved ‘London’ along the top flats, retaining some original browning, foliate engraved case-hardened breeches with single platinum lines, foliate engraved tangs incorporating back-sites, profusely engraved locks, signed ‘H.Nock’ and fitted with sliding safety catches, cocks decorated en-suite, full-stocked in walnut with raised teardrop-shaped mouldings around the tails of the locks and chequered grips, engraved steel trigger guards decorated with foliage on the bows with pineapple finials. Captive ramrods. A nice clean pair.
NOCK Henry
New pattern lock rejected by Ordnance in 1770. Gunlock smith. Made set of gauges for Gunmakers Company Proof House, 1781. Free of Gunmakers Co., by redemption 1784. Took Livery, 1795. Elected Assistant, 1798; Master 1802. Appointed Gunsmith-in-Ordinary to George III, 1789. In celebration of King's health recovery, displayed at Ludgate Hill 'an Imperial Crown, beautifully ornamented and very rich illumination of coloured lamps' (St. James's Chronicle, 25 April 1789). Made 7-barrelled rifled and pistol for Prince of Wales, 1790-2 (Royal Collection at Windsor Nos 154, 203). Contractor to Ordnance, 1771-1804; East India Co. (and Royal East India Volunteer Regt.) made 7 barrel guns, 1780; screwless lock 1786; wall piece, 1788; Duke of Richmond's Musket, 1792; Royal Horse Artillery Pistol, 1793...succeeded by James Wilkinson.
Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. USA.
Dimensions:
Bore: 22-Bore
Barrel Length: 5.25 Inches (13.35 cm)
Overall Length: 10.5 Inches (26.67 cm)