John Waters is listed on page 56 of "English Gunmakers: The Birmingham and Provincial Gun Trade in the 18th and 19th Century" by Bailey and Nie as active 1766-1788 and "Granted British Patent No. 1284 of 9 Mar. 1781 for attaching bayonets to pistols; is generally credited with the invention of the 'spring bayonet.'" The pistol has "Patent/ No. 795" on the left side of the action indicating this is the 795th gun he produced with his spring bayonet, "Waters & Co." on the right side, cross scepter proofs on the bottom of the barrel, "THO GILL" marked on the underside of the folding bayonet, sliding half-cock safety, a second sliding trigger that releases the bayonet which has a drum shaped attachment mechanism rather than the more simplified spring mechanisms used on later "snap bayonet" guns, side mounted ramrod, and a walnut grip. The muzzle flares to 1 inch, but the bore is smaller and measures at .50 caliber. Provenance: The Richard P. Mellon Collection