Description
RARE INDIAN FLINTLOCK TURN ABOUT REPEATING FOWLING PIECE
CIRCA 1770
with engraved back action lock, the cock with strengthening piece to the back and front with engraved decoration of scrolls and foliage on the lock plate and cock, the pan with five spheres inset into the pierced side, the gilt metal action (Lorinzoni system) with a short lever forward of the gilt trigger guard (when depressed operates the barrel catch to enable the barrel to be rotated, this then cocks the action, loads the chamber from the two cylinders below the single barrel and closes the pan cover in readiness to fire) the two stage single barrel, octagonal at the breech with a gilt metal mask of an Indian woman with her shoulders forming the fore end cap (for the powder and ball barrels), walnut short stock inlaid with scrolls of silver wire, shaped gilt metal butt plate with three shaped scallops each side, triple teardrops at the hand, long scrolled gilt metal trigger guard and long engraved strap below the barrel
54in. (137cm) overall
Provenance:
Ex armoury of the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Note:
The stock had rat damage, which was restored by Holland and Holland.
The fine quality of this firearm and its distinct Indo French design suggest that it was built under the supervision of General Raymond, who was Controller of Ordnance for Nizam Ali Khan, circa 1780.
Two similar weapons are in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle: RCIN 90672 (Charlton House 3011, Laking 413) Flintlock repeating gun, French circa 1785, barrel inlaid in gold Chalembrom, lock engraved APONDICHERY; RCIN 90673 (Charlton House 540, Laking 430) dated A.H 1212? (AD 1802), marked with initials HIDR. Published in Laking, G F., Windsor Castle Armoury, Badbury & Agnew & Co, London 1904, and Blackmore, H L., Royal Sporting Guns at Windsor, HMSO, London 1968.