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Topic starter
04/01/2021 19:30:34
William Nicholson of London
With thanks to Mark.
Mark says: "From what I've found he was in business from 1781-1791.
The neat thing is, he used no screws to attach the trigger guard. You can see where there is a pin at the bottom of the stock wrist...I assume this is what is holding the back of the trigger guard in place.
The butt plate is also interesting and would have required some talent to get it fitted correctly"
Topic starter
16/01/2025 18:49:46
Nicholson of London ball reservoir repeater
With thanks to John G, who says:
A fellow collector has acquired this antique ball reservoir air rifle made by William Nicholson of Cornhill, London in about 1790. Another example from this maker is pictured in the Gallery ( https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/ball-globe-reservoir-airguns/william-nicholson-of-london/ ), but that one is a single shot, whereas this one has the distinction of being a repeater...
Unlike other repeaters, such as the Girardoni’s the magazine for the lead balls is in the stock, and the balls are fed in through a sliding ‘trap door’.
After firing, to feed a new ball into the breech, the gun is tipped down and the small tap lever on the left hand side of the gun is rotated 1800 and then back again.
William Nicholson had his premises at 17 Hounsditch in London from ca. 1781 to 1786, and then at 45 Cornhill, London from c. 1787 to 1791. He was a skilled general gunsmith and evidently had an inventive turn of mind, as you can see from his own description of his services from one of his trade cards:
Nicholson, Gun-Maker, No. 17, Hounsditch, London, Makes his new-invented House Guns, that, when fixed in the Centre of the Room, will turn to the Door or Windows, and fire, if attempted to be forced open in the Night or any other Time, by Robbers. They will likewise serve for Coach Guns, being only 26 Inches in Length. Also, all Sorts of the best Fowling Pieces, Rifle Guns, Pistols, Magazine Guns, Fuzees, Muskets, and other Fire Arms, Wholesale, Retail, and for Exportation. N.B. Guns of all Sorts neatly cleaned and repaired with Expedition and on reasonable Terms. The best Battle Gun Powder, Shot, Flints &c.
The following card, from his later address, shows his widened interests into making air guns and crossbows:
