Big Bore Pistol by William Jover Belonging to Sir John Dyer, 6th Baronet Dyer

NSN, .85 Caliber (approximately 8-Bore), 8 3/4" part octagon barrel with a very good bore that has some small areas of mild pitting along its length.  This is an impressive traveling pistol, made ca. 1799, whose barrel has an unusually large bore, double wedding band transitions to an octagonal breech, ornately engraved tang, deeply struck proofs on the left facet, and "Jover London" engraved in flowing script on the top flat.  The metal has an overall dark gray patina, with some areas of moderate pinprick pitting along the top radius, and the gold blowout plug is still quite bright.  The "Jover" marked lock has delicate engraving on the pan, hammer screw, and rear portion, including the functional sliding safety catch.  Both the frizzen and swan-necked cock have a slightly darker patina than the rest of the metal, but very little freckling or pitting visible.  The trigger guard has an acorn finial at the front, with an engraved rose on the guard bow.  The rose motif repeats on the buttcap dome, which has a mottled gray and plum-brown patina that is also present on the ramrod pipe and thimble.  The wedge-fastened walnut stock has horn forend cap with intricate, carved lozenge pattern checkering on the grip, and small handling marks and blemishes scattered throughout the original oil finish.  The back of the grip has a large oval silver escutcheon with the armorial crest of the Dyer Baronets (Out of a Coronet Or a Goat’s Head Argent) above the initials "JSD" in entwined script.  Colonel Sir John Swinnerton Dyer was born on November 30, 1738, the eldest son of Sir Thomas Dyer, 5th Baronet Dyer.  He was a Colonel of the Guards, and was both a close friend and Groom of the Bedchamber to the Prince of Wales, George Augustus Frederick of Hanover (the future King George IV).  Sir Thomas passed away on October 4, 1780, and John inherited the Baronetcy, as well as numerous properties in Essex and Tottenham.  Sir John himself passed away on March 21, 1801, about midway through William Jover’s operation as a gunmaker under his sole name, which allows us to tentatively date the pistol.  This is a splendid British pistol, with a simply enormous bore, and attendant history with connection to the most controversial of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain.  It would make a stellar addition to any collection.  Antique