High quality drop down trigger turnoff pistol Samuel Nock circa 1840 Turnoff percussion pistol 50 Bore .45 Single Shot

Considering the reputation and lengthy career of Samuel Nock, his small pocket pistols are uncommon.

Samuel Nock was the nephew of famed innovative gunmaker Henry Nock and apprenticed under him. He worked in London and He was also an accomplished gunmaker and worked through the transitional period from flintlocks to percussion systems. Samuel became Gunmaker-in-Ordinary in succession to George III, George IV, William IV and Victoria and in 1836 became a Master of the Gunmakers Company. Nock died in 1851. The Nock company evolved into Wilkinson Sword who manufactured swords for the British Army until 2005 are still manufacture shaving products and gardening equipment.

These little pistols can rightly be compared to Henry Deringer’s namesake in the United States, though this design had the benefit of the turn-off barrel for toolless reloading.

This example would date to the 1840’s and is a fine example.

In use, the barrel turns off, powder is poured in and the lead ball sits in a cup to obdurate the breech without the need for a patch as the barrel swages to ball to size. Despite their size they were lethal at close quarter and could conveniently be kept in a pocket.

This 50-bore pistol is a typical example of quality. Engraved with “S. Nock” on the left-hand lock plate and” London” on the other side. It features floriate engraving and London proof marks.

The pistol has a hidden folding trigger which drops on cocking the hammer, fine chequering on the walnut butt with a vacant silver escutcheon. There is a hammer safety to compliment the safety trigger. The walnut butt, engraving, fine chequering and silver escutcheon are all marks of quality and most likely owned by a person of means.

A very nice and original little pistol from a renowned maker.