with rebrowned two stage barrel swamped towards the muzzle and octagonal over the breech, the latter stamped with gold-lined Spanish style barrelsmith’s mark ‘Barker Wigan’, London proof marks and a further barrelsmith’s mark, ‘WB’, engraved grooved tang, signed stepped bevelled lock with some later case-hardened colour (the pan with later gold lining, steel relined), figured walnut half-stock, chequered grip, iron mounts comprising skeleton butt-plate formed of a series of engraved strapwork panels decorated with beadwork and small flowerheads, trigger-guard with very short finials and engraved bow, three ramrod-pipes, horn fore-end cap, and brass-tipped wooden ramrod (perhaps an early association), 94.7 cm barrel

Provenance

Brian Boys, 2003

Literature

Albert Littler, “An Old Wigan Trade”, Journal of The Society of Archer – Antiquaries, vol. 34 (1991), pp. 30-41.

William Barker is thought to have come to Wigan circa 1738-40 where he apprenticed to Jonathan Johnson serving until 1748 when he became a Freeman and traded in his own right at Standishgate until his death around circa 1786-7. He is principally known for his clocks and crossbows; the latter were numbered up to 416. Firearms by this maker are rare.