Manufactured circa 1715-20. Robert Rowland is recorded working as a gunmaker first in 1704 and then again in St. James’s, Westminster in 1712. He was made Free of the Gunmakers' Company by redemption in 1715. Rowland died possibly in 1724 (although the St. James’s Parish records give 1721), after which the business was continued by his widow Mary. Rowland was best known for his breech-loading guns and for the unusual guns he made for the London merchant John Tournay. The round brass barrel is of three stages flaring at the muzzle and divided by turned moldings. The breech section is signed “R. ROWLAND” with the midsection signed “LONDINI.” The breech section is further struck with London proof marks and maker’s stamp. The breech section and midsection are engraved with so-called strawberry foliage. The iron tang is scroll engraved, and the rounded iron lock has a downturned tail, is signed “R. ROWLAND,” and is engraved with border lines and scrollwork. The molded, figured walnut stock has a raised apron around the barrel tang and is fitted with engraved brass furniture including a pierced foliate sideplate. Wooden ramrod with horn tip. Bore estimated.

Very good. The brass parts have clear engraving throughout, some softening to that on the heel plate, and some age related storage and handling marks and scratches on the barrel. The lock has a light grey patina with some scattered fine corrosion speckling and a clear signature. The top-jaw, screw, and frizzen have been replaced. The stock has scattered age related storage and handling marks, bruises, surface blemishes, two long horizontal cracks visible on the left side of the butt, a few small chips at the edges, repaired cracks on the wrist, and repaired cracks and filled areas on the forearm. Mechanically excellent.