Early 19th Century Rare Triple Barrelled Flintlock Pistol Signed Hobday & Ryder

Well we've never had the opportunity to offer one of these to you before!

3 barrels and a bayonet would certainly give pause to the hardiest of footpads a couple Centuries ago.

It bears the name Hobday & Ryder in a cartouche with a foliate spray and sunburst design behind it and on the other side is a vacant oval cartouche with a Stand Of Arms behind.

The three barrels are numbered 4, 5 and 6, possibly meaning that originally this was one of a pair?

The mainspring is smooth and the action is crisp in half and full position.

The top sliding safety catch is good and engages with the frizen as it should.

The trigger guard bayonet release sticks slightly, but the spring is good and the bayoet system all operates as it should locking it in place once released.

Barrel 5 and 6 unscrew (although they are tight), but barrel 4 is currently seized (as is our practice, we do not force them).

Overall the steelwork is in good condition, but the boxlock is scattered with tiny pitting.

The walnut slab sided one piece grip is in great shape with just minor bruising. 

Hobday and Ryder as a Gunmaking Partnership was a tricky one to find, but I have found a Birmingham Factoring Agent called Hobday who were in operation between 1800 and 1825 and two London Gunmakers than fit the bill, James and Joseph (both in operation in the early 1800’s).

Perhaps Hobday worked with Ryder in trying to become a more recognised Gunmaker?

He certainly made a very nice piece!

Barrel length 7cm, Overall length 21.5cm

This antique pistol is considered obsolete and non functioning, and is sold as a collectable ornamental item. This product is available for purchase in the UK without a license