AN EXCEPTIONAL GEORGE II BRASS AND IRON FLINTLOCK TINDER LIGHT OR 'STRIKE-A-LIGHT'

AN EXCEPTIONAL GEORGE II BRASS AND IRON FLINTLOCK TINDER LIGHT OR 'STRIKE-A-LIGHT'

C.1750

having a brass stock with a rare ball finial end, the brass lockplate with engraved upper face, with exposed mechanism of lock and sear to one side and a compartment for matches with a hinged cover to the other, issuing a simple brass wick socket, iron cock, frizzen and pan, all raised on an arched 'T' shaped stand

18cm long

Literature

A similar mid-18th century 'strike-a-light' is illustrated in R.Gentle & R. Feild, Domestic Metalwork 1640-1820, p.350, fig. 3 and a variety of late 17th and 18th century tinder pistols are illustrated in J. Caspall, Fire & Light in the Home pre-1820, pp.30-36.