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Lot 132

An English Bullet Crossbow
By William Barker, Wigan, No. 402, Circa 1765

30 November 2016, 11:00 GMT
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £1,250 inc. premium

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An English Bullet Crossbow
By William Barker, Wigan, No. 402, Circa 1765

With slender steel bow retaining old strings with wooden spacers, built-in gaffle retained by a sliding steel ring, signed folding back-sight engraved with foliage, sprung folding fore-sight mounted above the turned finial, straight figured stock of rectangular section with steel mounts including an inlaid shaped border engraved panel in front of the gaffle decorated with scallop shells and foliage, scrolled side-plates, and turned compressed steel pommel engraved with the serial number; together with a leather pouch containing lead balls (2)
80 cm.

Footnotes

Provenance
Albert Littler Collection
Christie's London, Antique Arms and Armour Including property from the W. Keith Neal and Albert Littler Collections, 18 July 2002, lot 231

Literature
A. Littler, 'An Old Wigan Trade, The Sporting Bullet Crossbow and its Makers, 1640-1840', Journal of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries, vol. 34 (1991), pp. 30-41

Additional information

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