A Rare Earl of Hertford Flintlock Holster Pistol by Clarkson, Circa 1740. With round two-stage tapering barrel, engraved ‘HARTFORD’ under a coronet and ‘U106’, stamped with Gunmakers Company view and proof marks and what appears to be Clarksons barrel smith mark, plain steel tang, rounded ‘banana’ shaped lock, signed ‘CLARKSON’, bridle less pan, full-stocked in walnut with raised apron around the tang (some chips around the butt cap commensurate with age) brass mounts comprising oval escutcheon engraved ‘4’, long eared butt cap with grotesque mask, engraved side-plate and turned ramrod pipes,  original brass capped wooden ramrod. 

Notes:

Algernon Seymour, 7th Duke of Somerset, was styled Earl of Hertford until he succeeded to the Dukedom in 1748.  He was Captain and Colonel of The Queen's Troop of Horse Guards from 1715 to 1740 and Colonel of the Royal Horse Guards from 1740 to 1750.  As Colonel of a Troop of Horse he undoubtedly bought these pistols out of his own purse & when the Troop was disbanded he took them home to his country seat. 

See "English Pistols & Revolvers” by John Nigel George, page 45, article by Lewis H Gordon, Jr in "The Canadian Journal of Arms Collecting”, Vol 5, No. 4 and "British Military Pistols and Associated Edged Weapons 1603-1887” by Robert Brooker, page 81 and figure 47.

The steel parts of the pistol are all covered in an old varnish. 

Dimensions:

Bore: 20 Bore

Barrel Length: 14 Inches (35.56 cm)

Overall Length: 21.5 Inches (54.61 cm)