English Flintlock

Jeepflexin

January 14, 2013 05:39

Any info about this pistol appreciated, age, value, maker background all would be helpful.

Makers mark of I.A. Lowe on the lock and barrel.

Roughly .60 caliber.

Interesting face on the butt plate.

Thanks guys!

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  Spider7115

  January 14, 2013 07:26

  I believe that's James Lowe ("Jas" Lowe), not I.A. Lowe.
  
  By the early gooseneck hammer, I would say it's mid to late 18th century. It appears to be a light dragoon (cavalry) pistol, possibly carried by an officer. It likely would have been used in the American Revolution or Napoleonic War.

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  hrf

  January 14, 2013 08:16

  Boothroyd's 'Directory of British Gunmakers' lists a James Lowe in Cheshire 1864, who may have been a later generation.
  
  You might try this site:

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  rhmc24

  January 15, 2013 02:28

  H. Merwin Carey's book says James Lowe, shop in London, about 1730, pistols of fine workmanship and butt masks.
  
  Worthwhile to know that back in the day, capital I and J were often used interchangeably, James abbreviated Ias & I have seen Jones as Iones, Joseph as Ios.
  
  Pistol is not English military but very likely an officer's personal pistol.
  
  Carey is the best book to my knowledge, English & Irish gunmaker info.

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  Jeepflexin

  January 15, 2013 04:54

  Thanks for the insight guys, very helpful!
  
  Any thoughts on value? I searched through auction side but due to my personal ignorance on these I haven't been able to figure out what features add or take away value. They really seem to be all over the map price wise (sold). I'd like to put the thing in a ball park value wise. My local contacts were no help they put its value as low as $200 and high as $1200 (to big a ball park for me!)
  
  I am valuing a collection for a friend who inherited and this pistol and the Japanese matchlock in my other post are giving me fits because I'm just not smart enough! [B)]

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  rhmc24

  January 16, 2013 02:20

  In appraising collections I assign values based on probable number the item would sell for to a dealer or re-seller. Same here: $1200 to 1500, which the dealer might double at retail. While that may sound like a large mark-up, it is an item that likely will wait around for quite a while before selling.
  
  English military pistols, with gov't markings are more in collector demand than 'genlemen's' pistols.

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  mond

  January 18, 2013 07:26

  http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/surnames.lowe/2638.1/mb.ashx
  
  http://www.vintageweaponry.com/pistols.htm
  
  These guys may help .

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