Woohooo!
Fabulous.
That mark is indeed generally attributed to John King of London. There is a dating discrepancy, for which the explanation is probably this:
John King became free from his apprenticeship in August 1757 and his first recorded mark is IK with a stop between the letters but in a cartouche with
square corners in 1767. The ‘largeworker’s’ register covering the period between 1758-1773 has been lost, and the mark is next seen as registered with
chamfered corners in April 1775 (and again in 1777, 1779, 1785 and 1789).
Your mark was therefore probably registered in that missing period, and so is consistent with the London hallmark for 1774 (which would otherwise appear be one year too early for that maker’s mark):
View attachment 1868176[/QUOTE. Thanks Red-Coat for the great information on this piece. This helps a lot!! London silversmiths produced such excellent quality furnishings for these guns it boggles the mind!!!
That's an awesome find. I wonder if the barrel is nearby? Or any other parts? As far as picture showing sideways, you have to hold your cell phone in a horizontal position to get it to orient correctly.
BTW for those of you who asked, one individual cannot get another banner while one is already up there.
Hello Smokey! This piece was found near the flintlock that is on banner and goes with that gun.
Super Congrats !! Great finds, posts & pictures ! Thanks for sharing your spectacular finds. One's mind wanders thinking of all the possibilities surrounding your Flintlock finds. Status of the possessor of the Flintlock? (High ranking officer maybe?) Was it lost in a battle ?
Is there a wrecked ship, skiff or settlement with other relics nearby ? I'm sure you will continue buzzing the area. Hopefully you will uncover more great relics!! Way to go !!! CHEERS !!
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Yes the stories this gun could tell! I’ve been thinking the same thing!! Cheers!!!
Wow what an awesome artifact, beautiful silver which isn't just big but probably qualifies as up there with the BIGGEST silver too! It looks very sturdy, how much does it weigh? Crossing my fingers that you find more pieces if they're there, congrats!
Yes it is sturdy and very well made. I would guess a few ounces, but have not weighed it yet. I was hoping to find more parts to the gun but was not expecting to.
Holy cow. This is also banner worthy but they only allow one at a time. Not sure I would not put it with the other post and put an update on it so it all rides across the banner. It is banner worthy for sure though and no telling what else you will find of this amazing gun. Beautiful ! find of a life time for sure. History saved.
Thank you Tnmountains! I appreciate the nice comments about the piece. I was not at all expecting to find the trigger guard, and was very shocked to recover a missing piece. This just never happens to me!!!
I updated my original post and am honored by that banner.
Congrats! I do hope the mods can merge all finds.
