A very rare early Irish Cavalry Colonel’s pattern George II Light Dragoon flintlock holster pistol by Joseph Clarkson, London, with Tower military view and proof marks stamped centrally at the breech.  Rounded swan neck cock, rounded, bevelled, "banana” shape lock engraved "Clarkson” (tip of lockplate missing), bridleless pan, trefoil finial to the feather spring.  Walnut full stock with carved apron around the barrel tang and carved "GG” on the left grip (small slither of wood missing in front of the lockplate).  Regulation brass mounts, vacant oval escutcheon, grotesque mask on cap holding the brass butt cap, and single ramrod pipe. Original wooden ramrod with brass cap and steel worm. Very good working order and condition. Circa 1725.

Note: Joseph Clarkson was a contractor to the Board of Ordnance from 1723 to 1728.  This pistol is accompanied by correspondence with Dr. De Witt Bailey in 2001 in relation to it in which he says that his understanding was that "....Clarkson was producing a particular pattern of pistol which seems to have found favour with the colonels of Irish cavalry regiments.”, and photographs, taken at The National Army Museum in Chelsea during a visit there in 2001 with Dr. De Witt Bailey, of this pistol and a very similar pistol in The Museum by J Govers, marked to Col. S ͭ George. (John Govers was a Dublin gunmaker, contracted to make arms for troops in Ireland).

Dimensions:
Bore: 20 Bore
Barrel Length: 9.5 Inches (24 cm)
Overall Length: 16 Inches (40.5 cm)