A Pair of Rifled Duelling Pistols by Henry Nock. With swamped, sighted, rifled barrels retains much original finish, case-hardened breech plugs with single gold lines and gold poincons stamped ‘NOCK LONDON’, profusely engraved tangs fitted with rear-sights, stepped bevelled locks signed, ‘H. NOCK’ decorated with scrolling foliage, converted from flintlock to percussion, set triggers, crisp figured full-stocks cut with chequering at the butts, blued steel mounts comprising trigger guards decorated with stands of arms on the bows and pineapple finials, turned ramrod pipes with original horn tipped ramrods with worms.

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: 10 Inches (25.40 cm)
Overall Length: 15.5 Inches (39.37 cm)