Henry Nock (1741-1804) was among the most talented and innovative of the English gunmakers in the late 18th century and early 19th century. This attractive pair of Nock pistols date to c. 1785-1795. The included notes indicate this pair of Nock pistols were sold by N. Flayderman & Co., catalog 117 item 2247A, in 1993 to the family of the current consignor. Both pistols have fixed front sights and smoothbore barrels retained with two sliding keys and Nocks patented hook breech, with "-H. NOCK LONDON-" inscribed on top, gold liners, and London proof and view marks on bottom. The Nock patented locks are retained by a single screw, with guttered "rainproof" pans, frizzen spring rollers, "H.NOCK." signed at the centers, burst engraving, stepped tails, and beveled edges. The large trigger guards have pineapple finials and floral engraving. The full-length stocks have bag shaped grips. The horn-tipped ebony ramrods have worms on the rear.

Fine, retains most of the period refinished brown twist finish on the barrel, darkened case colors on the lock and components with some light freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is also very fine with some minor cracks and discreet filled in repairs at the tip of the forend and in the ramrod channel, a minor crack on the left ahead of the lock screw, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent.

Reference "A" description. Provenance: N. Flayderman & Co.; Property of a Gentleman

Fine, retains most of the period refinished brown twist finish on the barrel, darkened case colors on the lock and components with some light freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is also very fine with a reattached cracked section visible at the right tip of the forend, some minor cracks and discreet filled in repairs in the ramrod channel, a minor crack on the left ahead of the lock screw, and defined edges. Crudely repaired re-glued split in the ramrod. Mechanically excellent.