Henry Nock Duelling Pistol

About the Henry Nock Duelling Pistol

The Henry Nock Duelling Pistol is a single-shot, muzzleloading flintlock pistol built by the celebrated London gunmaker Henry Nock around the turn of the 19th century. Chambered for a patched lead round ball of roughly .55 caliber ignited by black powder, it was among the finest dueling arms of the Georgian and Napoleonic era. Nock was appointed gunmaker to the King and supplied high-quality arms to the aristocracy and royalty; his duelling pistols were prized for their browned octagonal Damascus barrels, gold-filled 'H. NOCK / LONDON' cartouches, sliding safeties, roller frizzen springs, and finely checkered walnut half-stocks. Typically sold in fitted cased pairs with a powder flask, bullet mould and loading accessories, the pistols were carried by gentlemen who settled affairs of honor on the field.

Henry Nock (1741-1804) was appointed gunmaker to King George III and is also famed for inventing the Nock volley gun and a patented enclosed breech that improved ignition. His apprentice and son-in-law James Wilkinson inherited the firm, which eventually evolved into the famous Wilkinson Sword company.

Henry Nock Duelling Pistol specifications

Nock's duelling pistols were normally supplied in fitted cased pairs. Bore diameters among surviving examples vary from roughly .55 to .65 caliber, and were commonly smoothbore per dueling etiquette of the period. Many original flintlock examples were later converted to percussion ignition. Antique originals are prized collector's items.