CASED EARLY VICTORIAN DOUBLE BARREL OVERCOAT PISTOL WITH FITTED BAYONET BY BULL OF BEDFORD.

Blued 4 inch long steel barrels which are engraved, BULL MAKER BEDFORD, the underside fitted with swivel ramrod. Fitted to the top of the pistol is a long spring bayonet which is released by a spur trigger to the top. Engraved trigger guard fitted with two triggers, one for each barrel. The two percussion cocks are also engraved with floral decoration and are in good working order and they are fitted with safety locks to the engraved steel box frame. Excellent quality finely chequered wooden grip with blank silver escutcheon. The pistol measures 9 inches or 23cm long. Complete with fine quality antique maple wooden box which is fitted for the gun, it is a latter addition but it has certainly been with the pistol for many years. A very impressive double barrel pistol with bayonet and very unusual being a Bedford gun maker, the first I have seen by this maker. John Bull of Bedford is listed as a gun maker in Bedford, he opened his shop in 1825 on Bedford High street, he was listed in the trade directory's of 1850's as a gun maker, Jewellers, silversmiths and watchmaker, his two sons eventually joined him is the business, John died in 1870 but his sons continued to run the business until they also passed away but the Jewellery business still exist in Bedford to this day as one of Bedford's oldest and most famous firms. Comes with some research concerning John Bull and his business. Exc++

Code: 38028