Turn-Off Barrel Flintlock Pistol by Thomas Green, Circa 1700

This pair of English turn-off barrel pistols probably predate Queen Anne`s reign, which began on March 8th 1702. The barrels resemble cannons and have unscrewing lugs. The walnut stocks have relief carvings around the barrel tang, silver escutcheon and silver side plate. The silver Ball and Cheek butt cap has a detachable Grotesque Mask. "LONDON" is engraved on the top of the breech. "T. GREEN" is engraved on the lock below the pan. Three proof marks are stamped on lower side of breech opposite the lock. Two are oval shaped, a Crown over a "GP" (the gun-makers proof) and a Crown over a "V" (the "view mark"). The third is Thomas Green`s maker`s mark, a Crown over "TG".

Thomas Green worked in an area close to the Tower of London known as Minories. He was apprenticed to Edward Nicholson in 1686 and was admitted as a freeman of the Gunmakers` Company in 1693. Green was Gunmaker to Ordnance between 1697-1715, and was appointed Viewer and Proofmaster to the Hudson`s Bay Company in 1715. In 1720 Green was elected Master of the Gunmakers` Company. He died in 1728. (1) (2) One of Green`s apprentices, Richard Wilson went on to found what became the largest single gunmaking firm in London. (3)

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