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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 furnitureThe 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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