Manufactured circa 1705. Robert Harvey was apprenticed to Henry Anthonison and turned over to John Dafte in 1691. He was made Free of the Gunmakers’ Company in 1702, elected Assistant in 1722 and Master in 1725. From 1703-06, he was Gunmaker to the Ordnance. Harvey is noted for his fine silver-mounted pistols and also for making crossbows; he died in 1734. The round brass barrel is of three stages flaring at the muzzle and signed “ROB.t. HARVEY” on the breech section. The breech section is further struck with London proof marks and maker’s stamp. It has a border engraved iron tang and rounded iron lock, the latter with slightly down-turned tail, signed “ROB.t. HARVEY” and with small rounded dog-catch. The molded, figured walnut stock has a raised apron around the barrel tang and is fitted with engraved brass furniture including a pierced serpentine sideplate and a border engraved heel plate. The iron saddle ring is fitted next to the rear lock screw. The wooden ramrod has a brass tip. Bore estimated.

Very good. The barrel signature is clear as is the border engraving on the heel plate. The lock is discolored and has a clear signature and border engraving. The refinished stock has some scattered age related storage and handling marks and blemishes, split forend tip in the ramrod channel, and small repaired cracks next to the rear lock screw, on the right side of the raised apron around the barrel tang, and on the forearm. Mechanically excellent.