William Jover is first recorded as being in a partnership between 1775 and 1777 in the firm of Nock, Jover & Green. Jover struck out on his own in 1777 establishing himself in premises on Oxford Street and becoming a contractor to Ordnance in 1780. A partnership was established with the American designer Joseph Belton between 1785 and 1786 with the aim of promoting Belton’s innovative superimposed load system that utilised a sliding lock mechanism but the project met with little success. From 1784 Jover worked with his son as Jover & Son, the two of them going on to form a partnership with Edward Bate in around 1805 producing fine air guns. Dating to circa 1780, this blunderbuss has a four stage brass barrel with turned slightly belled muzzle and octagonal breech section engraved with a decorative band and foliate motifs, signed “JOVER*LONDON” and struck with the maker’s mark “WI” (for William Jover) and London view and proof marks. Scroll engraved iron barrel tang and rounded lock, the last signed “JOVER” and with safety catch. The figured walnut three quarter length stock is cut with diamond pattern checkering at the wrist and is fitted with engraved brass mounts including solid side plate and butt plate, the latter engraved with a trophy involving a bow and quiver of arrows, and trigger guard with acorn finial. The bore is estimated above and flares to about 1 1/16 inches at the muzzle.

Very good plus. The barrel has some age related wear to the turned girdles between each stage but retains a clear signature and breech engraving. The iron barrel tang and lock are each discoloured with softened engraved decoration and signature. The stock has a long crack along the right side of the forearm and has movement at the tip of the forearm against the barrel. There is a repaired crack beneath the tail of the lock, and the remainder of the stock has numerous age related storage and handling marks. Ramrod is absent. Mechanically excellent.