Lot 1201

Griffin & Tow Silver Mounted Flintlock Gun with Damascene Barrel

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Griffin & Tow Silver Mounted Flintlock Gun with Damascene Barrel

Estimate: $6,000 - $9,000

Starting Bid: $5,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Well-Documented Finely Engraved Silver Mounted Flintlock Gun by Griffin & Tow with Gold and Silver Damascened Barrel This ornate and distinctive gun is featured on pages 83-85 of "British Gunmakers: Messrs Griffin & Tow and W. Bailes 1740-1790" by W. Keith Neal and D. H. L. Back and is described on page 84 where it is explained that the silver and gold damascened barrel has a "Gosain Het Ram Gir Mahant Sanah 1183" inscription "Mahant indicates the head of a Shairite monastic order and the year of 1182 is the equivalent of 1769-1770. The barrel features a bead front sight, notch rear sight at the breech, ornate floral pattern damascening in silver and gold, and a gold lined vent. The standing breech is floral scroll engraved and is grooved. The lock has coordinating engraving and "GRIFFIN/& TOW" and a frizzen roller. The mounts are silver and feature an acorn trigger guard finial, floral, scroll, and border engraving. The trigger guard tang and buttplate have London hallmarks including the "b" date code for 1777 and a "IK" silversmith mark. and the crest and "RG" on the wrist escutcheon are noted by Neal and Back as for a member of the Gregory family. The stock has a takedown joint in the forend and raised relief shell carving at the breech. The metal William Keith Neal Collection tag numbered "G130" is included. When Neal's collection was sold the owner was identified as Robert Gregory (1727-1810) and as passed down through the Gregory family to Major R. G. Gregory and was purchased by Neal at auction in 1980. Robert Gregory went to India as a young man c. 1747 as a independent merchant and made a fortune before returning to England c. 1766. He served as a director of the East India Company in 1769 to 1782 and also briefly as chairman before retiring due to poor health. He owned the Coole Park Estate near Gort in County Galway, Ireland. He served as a member of parliament for Maidstone in 1768-1774 and for Rochester, Kent, 1774-1784 and opposed the North administration and war against the American colonies.

Manufacturer: Griffin & Tow

Model: Flintlock

BBL: 53 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 20

Finish: brown/silver/gold/casehardened

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: Robert Gregory; By Descent Through the Gregory Family to Major R. G. Gregory; The W. Keith Neal Collection; A Private Collection
  • Condition: Fine with distinct silver and gold damascene decoration displaying minor wear, mix of plum brown finish and dark patina on the balance of the barrel, mild pitting concentrated at the vent, dark gray and brown patina on the lock, minor oxidation, attractively aged patina and distinct engraving on the mounts, and fairly minor wear. The stock is also fine and has dings and scratches, distinct relief carving, a very faint hairline crack at the nose of the lock, and general mild wear. Mechanically functions.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000