18th Century French ‘Manstopper’ Pistol

A large bore ‘manstopper’ pistol from the late 18th or early 19th century. With a twisted damacus barrel, swan neck cock, chequered grip and engraved steel mounts, comprising trigger guard and turned ramrod pipe. Marked on the lock Aubrun à Nantes. The lock and action are in good condition and the pistol holds half and full cock well.

The pistol is the work of Jean Aubron ca 1771-1818 in Nantes (France), a town located on the upper Loire River in Brittany. The Aubron family of gunsmiths began in the 1770s with Jean, and was continued by his son Jules Aubron ca 1805-1855 and through the latter part of the 19th century with Jules son Thomas