A Fine 20 Bore Flintlock Over & Under Travelling Pistol by J. Egg. 11 ¼” overall, 5 ½” octagonal barrels with blade sight, both barrels signed ‘Jos. Egg’ in gold tablet, platinum lines & vents at breech, flat stepped locks engraved with martial trophies & sunbursts, semi-rainproof pans, inscribed 'Joseph Egg', French cocks, rollers to frizzen springs, single trigger. Highly figured chequered butt with flattened base and engraved boss inscribed 'JOS EGG'S IMPROVEMENT', silver escutcheon with a bridled horse head over a crown crest, the large square front trigger guard engraved with sunburst, border & martial trophy, side mounted steel ramrod. Unusual slim butt.
Circa 1815.
The locks have detents to the tumblers and the moving parts have wide 'shoulders' to reduce friction. Best quality pistol in very good unused condition.
Joseph, son of Johann Jakob Egg (brother of Durs Egg) gunmaker, Huningue, Alsace, born 1775 (baptised as Jean Joseph). Gunmaker, Great Windmill Street, granted English Patent No. 2440 (Bending steel with heat) 1800. Traded as Egg & Walker, Gunmaker & Patent Spring Truss Maker, 59 Firth St., Soho, 1801. In partnership with Henry Tatham, as Tatham & Egg, 1801-14. Gunmaker, 1 Piccadilly (Corner of Piccadilly and Haymarket) 1814-1834; 28 Titchborne Street., 1832-4. Member, St. James Loyal Volunteers, 1808.