MINT BORES*LARGE**1821-1867 English Cole & Co Devizes (Wiltshire) Over & Under, Double Barrel, 50 Bore, Percussion Traveling Pistol With Octagonal Barrels, Captive Steel Ram Rod & Hinged Butt Trap. Sn 21707 .50 Muzzleloader

**MINT BORES*LARGE**1821-1867 English Cole & Co Devizes (Wiltshire) Over & Under, Double Barrel, 50 Bore, Percussion Traveling Pistol With Octagonal Barrels, Captive Steel Ram Rod & Hinged Butt Trap. Sn 21707 - 21707

This is a large over & under, percussion traveling pistol by Cole & Co Devizes. A family of Gunmakers named Cole worked in Devizes Wiltshire from 1821-1867, Robert 1821, John 1821-44 & Frederick 1864-67 (see page 94 of English Gunmakers by Bailey & Nie). In our books there is no record of Cole & Co working in Devizes but it will no doubt be this family. The pistol’s octagonal steel barrels are 3 ½” in length (8 ¾” overall). The smooth bores are near mint, clean & bright. The barrels have English black powder proofs. The top barrel flat is signed by the maker ‘Cole & Co Devizes’, has a silver bead fore sight and ‘v’ notch plate rear sight. Its heavy steel frame is nicely engraved with foliate decoration. The trigger guard is engraved with a foliate design as is its hinged butt cap trap. It has double Dolphin hammers, double triggers & safety bolts for each hammer. Its captive steel ram rod swivels correctly. The pistol cocks and dry fires crisply. The original chequered panel walnut grip is undamaged and inlaid with void silver escutcheon. The price for this desirable pistol includes UK delivery. NB as an antique percussion pistol no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 21707 (drawers office)

£795.00