Of substantial proportions throughout, with two stage iron barrel with blade front sight and struck with London proof marks and Foreigner’s mark to the left side of breech and short sighting flat with gold lined maker’s marks in the Spanish style comprising “H / HAD / LEY” with a rosette above and a second rectangular mark “LON / DON” beneath, the barrel tang grooved for sighting. Large rounded musket style lock signed “H. HADLEY” beneath the priming pan. Walnut full stock with raised apron around the barrel tang, brass military style mounts including trigger guard with period applied spur, and later iron ramrod. A flintlock musketoon by Hadley with the same maker’s stamp and silver mounts hallmarked to 1762 is retained in the National Trust Collections at Saltram House, Devon in England (NT878763). Whilst not conforming to a recognized military pattern, this extremely large bore flintlock gun was apparently created with a service purpose in mind with thoughts being for use at sea for close quarter ship to ship fighting.

The barrel is an incredibly robust forging and retains clear definition to the turned girdle at the mid point of the barrel. Overall the barrel has a dark brown patinated finish, both maker's stamps retaining much gold lining. The lock is discolored with a clear maker’s signature. The stock has been expertly replaced and has some scattered storage marks and bruises throughout. The brass mounts are in good condition with a lovely aged patina. Mechanically excellent. A unique opportunity to add a magnificent large bore gun to your collection by a maker more usually associated with fine, delicate silver mounted firearms, examples of which can be found in the collections at the Royal Armouries, Leeds and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.