with tapering barrel formed in two stages, octagonal then polygonal and with chiselled girdle, short tang, flat stepped bevelled lock retained by three side-nails (the point of the step missing), fitted with horizontally-acting sear, internal steel-spring, and dog-catch behind the cock, the outer surfaces engraved with strawberry foliage, full rosewood stock (fore-end tip replaced) carved with a raised moulding involving an ear of wheat behind the barrel tang, flattened butt, iron mounts, comprising engraved pommel cap (later), trigger-guard with scrolling terminals (one small repair), a single ramrod-pipe and later iron- tipped ramrod, 55.2 cm overall

Provenance

The Penruddocke family, Compton Chamberlayne

George Cross Esq.

William Keith Neal, sold Christie’s 25th October 2010, lot 230

An Important English Private Collection

Literature

John Cooper, An English Holster Pistol of Commonwealth Date, in, The Park Lane Arms Fair 2006, pp. 73-74, no. 30.

Brain Godwin, David Oliver, Martin Pegler and Robert C. Woosman Savage, Early English Firearms, A Loan Exhibition from the Royal Armouries and Private Collections, in The Park Lane Arms Fair 2003, p. 15, no. 12

The accompanying note reads: ‘This English holster pistol dating from 1645-50 belonged to the Penruddock family and was sold from the family weapons preserved at Compton Chamberlayne by George Cross Esq., who purchased the house and contents from the Penruddock family. There can be no doubt that this pistol belonged to Colonel John Penruddocke born 1619 and beheaded at Exeter 16th May 1655 for his participation in an insurrection against Oliver Cromwell, who had then usurped the Government. I purchased this pistol at Christies when George Cross sent the arms for sale about 1955. Amongst the many firearms preserved at Compton Chamberlayne, this was the only pistol dating from this period. Signed W. Keith Neal. ‘

For further pistols of this type see Cooper 1993, pp. 164-167 and 197-207.