Over-and-Under Percussion Pistol bearing the Crest of the Polhill Family

Gunsmith Joseph Egg British, born France

ca. 1815–20; converted ca. 1825

Not on view

Joseph Egg, one of the preeminent gunmakers in London in the early 19th century, specialized in double-barreled pistols, of which this is a good example. Originally fitted with flintlocks, it was later converted by a different gunsmith to percussion locks, a more advanced mechanism, probably in the 1820s or 1830s. Conversion was a common and economical method of updating a firearm as technology advanced. The crests engraved on the butt cap and grip escutcheon indicate that it belonged to a member of the Polehill family of Sussex and Kent.

Artwork Details

Overview

Title: Over-and-Under Percussion Pistol bearing the Crest of the Polhill Family
Gunsmith: Joseph Egg (British (born France), Huningue 1775–1837 London)
Date: ca. 1815–20; converted ca. 1825
Geography: London
Culture: British, London
Medium: Steel, wood (walnut), brass, gold, platinum
Dimensions: L. 10 1/4 in. (26 cm); L. of barrels 5 1/2 in. (14 cm); Cal. of barrels .52 in (13.2 mm); Wt. 1 lb. 13.4 oz. (833.5 g)
Classification: Firearms-Pistols-Percussion
Credit Line: Gift of Christian A. Zabriskie, 1940
Object Number: 40.72
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

By Joseph Egg

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Flintlock Pistol with Inverted Lock, Joseph Egg British, born France, Steel, wood (walnut, rosewood), horn, British, London — Flintlock Pistol with Inverted Lock
Joseph Egg
Henry Tatham
ca. 1813–14

Side-by-Side Self-Priming Pellet-Lock Shotgun, Joseph Egg British, born France, Steel, wood (walnut, rosewood), brass, British, London — Side-by-Side Self-Priming Pellet-Lock Shotgun
Joseph Egg
ca. 1835

Over-and-Under Flintlock Pocket Pistol of the Hughes of Gwerclas Family with Case and Accessories, Joseph Egg British, born France, Pistol: steel, wood (walnut) silver, brass, gold, platinum; case: wood (mahogany), textile, brass; powder flask: brass, steel, leather, paper; ramrod: steel; cleaning rod: steel, bronze, British, London — Over-and-Under Flintlock Pocket Pistol of the Hughes of Gwerclas Family with Case and Accessories
Joseph Egg
ca. 1815–20

Pair of Flintlock Pistols, Samuel Brunn British, Steel, wood (walnut, rosewood), silver, gold, British, London — Pair of Flintlock Pistols
Samuel Brunn
Michael Barnett
hallmarked for 1800–1801

Double-Barreled Percussion Shotgun, Louis Perrin French, Steel, wood (walnut), silver, French, Paris — Double-Barreled Percussion Shotgun
Louis Perrin
Léopold Bernard
dated 1854

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