An early Colonial period, William and Mary Period, English Flintlock Belt/Officer's pistol by C. Warren, ca. 1690. Round to round, 9", baluster-turned smoothbore, .56 caliber, steel barrel with a lightly engraved tang and two 1688 type London Gunmaker Co. proof marks. Also marked with a worn "Warren" maker's signature 0n the breech-top and a clear "*/C.W" (Charles Warren) maker's mark. Early bridle-less flintlock mechanism with thread engraved borders, a strawberry-leaf-engraved tail, its matching gooseneck hammer and clearly signed with a "WARREN" maker's signature. Charles Warred of London, UK worked 1690-1694 and was a gunmaker to the Board of Ordnance in 1697. Retains smooth steel surfaces, sharp engraving, 70%+ polish and fine mechanics. Sculptured, engraved and chiseled, 17th century-style, full steel mounts: The rounded pommel-type butt-cap with strawberry-leaf engraved borders and a stepped screw-retained terminal. The etched and chiseled openwork Serpent-type sideplate of classic English form. The trigger-guard with nicely detailed acanthus leaf finials and a strawberry-leaf "vine engraved" shield-type escutcheon. Molded and raised carved, nicely figured walnut fullstock with a bulbous butt and simple relief carving around the lock, barrel tang and sideplate: a raised acanthus leaf carving, around the ramrod entry. Overall length, 16".
