This is very nice Revolutionary War period “turn-off” barrel side-lock pistol marked by “Griffin & Tow” in an arc over a Rococo floral scroll on the barrel breech at top, and “London” on the underside along with two barrel proofmarks. The tang has an engraved screw and itself bears a checked border and “raffle” or leaf/fan flourish to match the barrel decoration, which is carried over on the underside of the frame in its borders and a flower on the bottom of the triggerguard. The border line and leaf/fan flourishes are repeated on the lock, the hammer, and the frizzen spring. The grips have an excellent fit, nice color, and are finely checkered over the back and sides with heart-shaped upper borders on the left and right joining around the end of the tang. We see some minor handling dings around the frame and tang, but not on the checkering. The pommel swells slightly and bears a small, old “UE” stamp on the toe, probably and owner, collection or registration mark. The metal is smooth, muted silver in color, with some thin, scattered graying and a few thin brown spots under the frizzen spring. Mechanics are tight.

Using a truncated form with stock not extending past the lock and the barrel fitted with a lug at the bottom breech to allow it to be unscrewed for loading, these pistols became popular in the reign of Queen Anne and remained so into the reigns of the Georges. Griffin and Tow worked together at New Bond Street in London from 1772 to 1782, though some now push their partnership back to 1771 or 1768. To load the pistol, a wrench was slipped over the barrel to engage the lug and unscrew the barrel. This disclosed a raised breech with external threads and a concave top into which the powder could be poured and on which the ball rested. This permitted uniform charges and, because the barrel would be screwed back in place down over the ball, a much tighter fit. The result was that the pistol was both very accurate and packed a much bigger punch than muzzle-loading pistols of similar caliber.

These are really interesting pistols, some elaborately decorated and others elegant in their restraint. They are a collecting field of their own and a wonderful combination of art and history.   [sr] [ph:M]

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