
Thomas Shaw-Owens
Associate Specialist
£600 - £800
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Louis (Lewis) 1 Barbar (d. 1741), a French Protestant, born in Essendun, Poitou, came to London circa 1688 to avoid persecution, and was naturalised in 1700. In 1704 he was made free of the Gunmakers' Company, and his proof piece ('a very fine piece') was passed. He was appointed Gentleman Armourer to King George I in 1717, and to George II in 1727
The inscription on the tang may refer to Sir Robert Walpole (1676-1745), 1st Earl Orford, who served as the de facto first Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1721 and 1742. He also served as First Lord of the Treasury, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Leader of the House of Commons