Original Item: Only One Available. John Parkes, a fine 18th century Gunmaker, worked from his Shop in London between 1760 and 1780. He was noted for his brass-barreled pistols and most especially for his exceptional silverwork.

This is perhaps the best condition example of his work to survive, not only being of an extremely rare form of pistol but displaying the fabulous talent of the silversmith's art on the masked buttcap and astounding silver wire inlays.

This weapon has a side by side brass barrel assembly which has the ability to fire individually using only one flintlock hammer (cock) and one, very wide, steel frizzen.

On the left side of the brass pistol frame a sliding bar exposes the hidden powder pan for the second shot once the first one has been expended.

The right side of the brass frame bears the maker's markings PARKES, LONDON. The treasure here is the butt featuring a very large grotesque silver mask buttcap and the full walnut pistol grip which is smothered in the most beautiful and pristine condition silver wire inlays to be seen in many a long day.

Originating from an old New England collection this item even has a custom-built wood display stand that is included.

Measures 13 inches overall this is no small pistol. Extremely rare in just almost perfect condition with only slight deterioration showing on the few iron parts of trigger guard, hammer and frizzen, make this a truly exception piece of gun making history.