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MAKER MARKED “REA” BRASS OCTAGON-TO-ROUND BARRELED
FLINTLOCK PISTOL – A VERY ATTRACTIVE SPECIMEN IN
EXCELLENT CONDITION:
This very attractive and
very well made single shot pistol which has survived in
its original flintlock configuration. Based on the
years the maker, John Rea, was in business, this pistol
dates to the 1777 -1820’s period, and in view of the
characteristics of the pistol, I tend to lean towards
the earlier years. Its overall appearance is in the
style of the pistols produced for the commercial market
which included sales to military officers, private
citizens, and, based upon Rea’s surviving business
records, to the British East India Company.
John Rea was located in London between 1777 and 1812.
John Rea & Sons were listed as gunmakers at 91 Minories
from 1798 to 1809. Thomas and John Rea are recorded at
91 Minories, London between 1810 and 1822. They were
contractors to the British East India Company between
1814 and 1822.
Measuring 13” in overall length, this pistol is mounted
with a 8” long, .58 caliber, smooth bore brass octagon
to round barrel featuring the wedding band transition
between the two profiles, in the same manner as seen on
the Northwest Serpent Side Plate Trade Guns of the fur
trade. The barrel is mounted with a steel breech plug
with an engraved tang, and the barrel is full form with
no misshaping or damage on the outer surface. The
barrel bears the two English Birmingham Proof Stamps
used by private contractors prior to 1813, and the top
of the barrel is stamped “LONDON”.
The bore is overall smooth,
and the brass retains a dark naturally aged patina.
The lock plate is maker marked “REA”. The lock is
fitted with a half cock safety catch and the lock and
safety are fully functional - the hammer holds at both
the half and full cock positions and the trigger let off
is very crisp.
The stock is full form with no loss along the barrel
channel, and no breaks or missing wood along the
channel. The surface of the wood shows the expected
handling marks, but no significant dents and no breaks
or cracks, and the original finish is still intact on
the surface.
The trigger guard, ramrod thimbles and lock screw
washers are all made of brass. The front finial of the
trigger guard is finished in the shape of a pineapple
with nicely engraved details, and the trigger guard bow
and the ramrod entry pipe are also highlighted with
light engraving. It is worthy of note that in the
Georgian Era the pineapple was considered to be a emblem
of good fortune, and it was often incorporated into
architectural features over entrances and various
ornaments, and the actual fruit was rented to decorate
holiday or formal dinner tables as a sign of corpulence
or wealth. It was through this association that the
pineapple motif began to appear on gun furniture.
The ramrod is fitted with a
bone tip showing nice patina coloring and the rod
appears to be original to the pistol.
This is a very attractive, early manufacture John Rea
Flintlock Pistol, which has survived in excellent
condition and it would be a special addition to a
collection of flintlock arms dating back to the American
Revolution. (0721) $3,250
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