Pistol, flintlock pistol

The Bow Street Court was established in 1740 by the magistrate Colonel Thomas de Veil, an officer in the Westminster militia. The 'Bow Street Runners' were a detective force operating out of Bow Street under de Veil's successor, the magistrate and author Henry Fielding.

This flintlock pistol, with 'HP' carved on the top of the stock, was used by a member of the Bow Street Horse Patrol. The mounted patrol was formed in 1763 by Henry Fielding's brother John to increase security on London's roads where highwaymen threatened travellers. The patrol initially received government funding for only 18 months. It was revived in 1805 by Bow Street's Chief Magistrate Sir Richard Ford, and eventually became part of the Metropolitan Police in 1837.

The maker of this pistol, William Lacy, manufactured guns and swords and was a contractor to the Board of Ordnance at the Tower of London.